SPECIAL PUPS LIGHT UP KILKENNY CHAMPION UNRACED
Ian Fortune
Those making the journey to Kilkenny on Friday would have been hoping to see a few exciting puppies taking their first steps to future stardom.
To say they wouldn’t have been disappointed is quite the understatement with so many potential stars on show.
Is there a Bockos Diamond, Broadstrand Syd or Hopes Teddy amongst them? Early indications would suggest there is certainly at least one future classic winner going to emerge from this year’s competition. Honour of going fastest went to the Robert Gleeson trained Carrick Scholsey but so many went fast with Pennys Mr Darcy, Clondoty Mark, Montana Shadow and Zenith Scorpion all breaking the 29 second barrier in victory.
SCHOLSEY LOOKS VERY SPECIAL
Much like his footballing namesake, Carrick Scholsey was different class to his rivals when coming home a mile clear in Heat 3 for Robert Gleeson and Thomas Glynn.
The duo won the competition a couple of years back with the talented Carrick Fergie but this fella could be even better.
Showing electric early speed after a fast start from three, the son of Droopys Scolari and Droopys Beaufort was in a league of his own as he raced right away from the opposition. Posting a sizzling 16.58 to the third turn, he was never under a moment’s pressure as he raced to an emphatic seven and a half-length victory in 28.68.
It was certainly a special run from a potentially very special greyhound. His main market rival Burgess Mystery came through for second with Bogger Pro just a length and a half away in third.
MR DARCY IS A STAR
Pennys Mr Darcy won by an even wider margin in Heat 4 as he made a wonderful debut for Eugene and Rosemary Price.
A July ’23 son of Derby winner Good News and Pennys Bobbyjo, he would eventually come home ten lengths clear but it was the manner of success that was so impressive.
Breaking smartly from trap five, he found himself with room to race in the opening yards and took control before the turn. Entering the back straight with just over two lengths in hand, Pennys Mr Darcy set about putting daylight between himself and the chasing pack.
Showing wonderful pace and strength, Pennys Mr Darcy would pull further and further clear to stop the clock in a brilliant 28.70. Certificate overcame early traffic to take second with Herecomestiernan finishing another two lengths away in third.
Pennys Mr Darcy is another very special young greyhound and the manner in which he saw out the 525yd trip suggests he will be better for a step up to 550yds in the future. Even at this early stage in his career, it’s clear he could have a date in Shelbourne Park in September.
MAGIC MARK
Clondoty Mark was next fastest when emerging a wide-margin winner in a very fast 28.84.
Sent off the 8-11 favourite in the final heat, the Owen McKenna trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Clondoty Amy knew what was needed to be done.
Breaking on terms, he had to show great pace and determination into the bend to get loose of his rivals. John Leahy’s youngster quickly asserted and continued to turn the screw into the third turn and home. Showing wonderful pace throughout, Clondoty Mark would run out a ready ten and a half length winner over Singalong Mick. Lemon Sniper was best of the remainder in third, some three and a half lengths further adrift. There was so much to like about the display of the winner and he is clearly another with the potential to be a classic contender in the future.
SHADOW FLIES
Montana Shadow was brilliant in the opening heat. This was all about early speed from the exciting son of Droopys Flytline and Droopys Meteor.
Showing outstanding pace into the turn, he quickly put the result beyond any doubt.
Representing owners Barry and Martin O’Reilly and handler Johnny Linehan, the September ’23 whelp would clock a sizzling 16.63 to the third turn before coasting home an easy eleven length scorer over Ballymac Cloon in 28.91. Highview Adam was another length away in third. Given his early speed, his age and pedigree, Montana Shadow is perhaps the most interesting of the six heat winners and there will be plenty of eyes on him next weekend.
SCORPION STRIKES
Corona Ryan and Birol Nadir have a nice prospect in the form of Zenith Scorpion.
He took Heat 2 in 28.97, showing fine track craft and pace to lead from the opening bend. The son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Ballymac Moana was pressed throughout by Ballymac Kamala but kept finding to eventually win by a length and a half in 28.97. Lookandlep was another length and a half away in third.
BLAZE HOLDS OFF LEO
Tarsna Blaze won the remaining heat.
This was a competitive affair but Tarsna Blaze ran a wonderful corner to move past Deadly Ruben into the back straight. Geoff Parnaby’s son of Ballymac Cashout and Tarsna Atlanta wouldn’t be denied thereafter.
Unanimous Leo did show pace to move second soon after halfway before challenging at the third turn but he couldn’t find a way past. Tarsna Blaze stayed on to hit the line a half length in front of Unanimous Leo in 29.45. Deadly Ruben would finish a length and a half away in third.