SNAZZY DISPLAY FROM BOSS AS RANGER BOWS OUT OF PRODUCE STAKES

Peter Farrell

The three semi finals of the Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes featured at Clonmel on Sunday evening and it proved a night of thrills and spills as Snazzy Boss produced a terrific display to advance into the decider, while Faypoint Ranger was luckless in making a shock exit from the Classic. 

It certainly was a mixed bag for Graham Holland on the night as although Snazzy Boss took off with a dominate performance which is likely to see him occupy favouritism next weekend, his remaining runners of Faypoint Ranger, Bartlemy Mainoo and Ballinveala Bolt were all eliminated as just the first two advanced into the €20,000 decider in seven days time. 

Faypoint Ranger, who was bidding to become the first greyhound since Boylesports Hero to achieve the Kirby/Produce Stakes double, was expected to take some stopping in the opening semi final. Installed as the 8/13 favourite in his quest for eight straight victories, his task looked to be aided by a vacant trap on his outside, however, trap five was far from ideal for Patricia Flanagan’s charge and this so proved as he missed the kick at traprise. In contrast, Flashing Saffron took her now customary ping break from four and she dictated early on. At this point, Faypoint Ranger was well on his way to recovery on the outside, however, his progress was halted at the opening bend as Certificate, running from trap three, moved off the corner, in turn impeding Faypoint Ranger and eliminating him to the back of the field. The contest now up in the air, Flashing Saffron held all the aces on the approach to the back straight and she held a two length advantage over Blastoff Heffo, who was the beneficiary of the first bend trouble as he slipped into a handy position in second. Showing an impressive burst of speed at this point, Blastoff Heffo got immediately on terms with Flashing Saffron and the two went stride for stride passing the sprint boxes with little to separate the pair. With the two qualification spots virtually secured, it was all about who would prevail on the night and it was Blastoff Heffo, owned by Philip Buckley, that showed the superior stamina abilities up the Clonmel hill to score. A huge 9/1 market chance, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Blastoff Kat pulled clear in the closing stages to cross the line a half-length clear of Flashing Saffron in second. The time was 28.94.

SNAZZY PERFORMANCE FROM THE BOSS

The Riverside kennels did have reason to celebrate in the second semi as Snazzy Boss produced a magnificent performance to advance into the Classic as arguably the one to beat.

Owned by Denis O’Donohoe, Snazzy Boss was forced to settle for second behind Flashing Saffron last time out, however, the 10/11 favourite wasn’t to be denied on this occasion as he comfortably saw off his rivals. Drawn in six, ‘Boss’ broke smartly from his wide berth to post a 2.89 sectional and he disputed with Tetra Destiny, who narrowly led the field on the run-up. Showing brilliant early speed, Snazzy Boss was improving with every stride and he swept the opening bend to create daylight over Tetra Destiny and lead into the back. Although still in the early stages of this contest, it quickly became a two-dog affair as the leading duo sat some seven lengths clear of the nearest third-place challenger, Bartlemy Mainoo. Setting a ferocious gallop down the back, Snazzy Boss was now two lengths clear of Tetra Destiny passing the 300-yard box and he continued to motor as he stopped the third-bend sectional clock in a blistering 15.97. Firmly turning the screw thereafter, the son of Pat C Sabbath - Hollywell Samba stormed up the hill to extend his lead to three and a half lengths over Tetra Destiny, who also comfortably booked his ticket with a fine performance in defeat. The time was a sizzling 28.23.

JOEY BOUNCES BACK

In the third and final semi, Lemon Joey got back to winning ways as Murt Leahy’s charge defied a bump to prevail in determined fashion. 

In truth, this was the most thrilling contest of the night as Lemon Joey and Born Braver served up a real battle throughout. At traprise, it was Lemon Joey that pinged from trap six and the 5/2 chance immediately drifted to a middle berth in his quest to round in front. Closely followed at the crown of the opening bend by Jennifer O’Donnell’s Born Braver, the two briefly came together with Lemon Joey recovering well to continue and dictate. Little to separate the pair at the midway point, Born Braver looked to have the number of Lemon Joey as he loomed alongside the classy brindle, however, ‘Joey’, owned by the Short-back-and-sides-syndicate, showed excellent resilience to continue his bid to return to winning ways. Nip and tuck on the run for home, the son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana once again showcased his battling qualities as he knuckled down to cross the line with a half-length to spare over Born Braver in second. It was a further two and a half lengths back to the favourite Ballinveala Bolt. The time was 28.52.

The draw for the final of the Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes was made shortly after and is as follows : 

T1 - TETRA DESTINY

T2 - FLASHING SAFFRON

T3 - BLASTOFF HEFFO

T4 - BORN BRAVER

T5 - LEMON JOEY

T6 - SNAZZY BOSS