GLOSS QUICKEST IN O’DORNAN MEMORIAL AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial A5/A5 525 were the feature races at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and it was Cloncunny Gloss who set the bar as she went the quicker of the two semi finals on offer.
Owned and trained by Jim Scully, Cloncunny Gloss was chasing a first career win but after going down narrowly to defeat in the opening round, she went one better last night at the Suirview circuit. It was Moanteen Linford who went to traps the hot favourite after a hugely impressive performance last week, however, Cloncunny Gloss was to finish with a flurry. Slowly away from trap two, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Pretty Jet sat fourth early on but after cutting through the field, Cloncunny Gloss rallied late on to take control in the closing stages. Crossing the line two lengths clear of Anglesey My Girl in second, the time was 29.02.
The second semi final saw Chasing Nellie make it back-to-back wins for Sean O’Halloran. Only on October 20’, Chasing Nellie came away best of all from trap five and from here, she made every post a winner. A bitch whose stock is very much on the rise, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Absolutely Ace crossed the line with two and a half lengths to spare over Master Coby in second. The time was 29.13.
SURVIVOR QUICKEST
The fastest return over the standard trip came in race four as Dromana Survivor bounced back to debut defeat to win in style.
Jointly owned by Jane Elizabeth Irons and Gearoid O’Brien, Dromana Survivor wasn’t to suffer the same fate this time around as he broke brilliantly to post a quick 2.78 sectional. In control rounding the opening corner, the May 20 son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Ester was never in danger of being caught as he recorded a three length victory over Heathview Petra in second. A lot to like about the performance of this greyhound, the time was a sparkling 28.57.
IN OTHER RACES
Race two saw six greyhounds make their debut and Moorstown Robbie was most impressive for trainer Declan Byrne. Owned by David O’Flaherty, Moorstown Robbie came away well wearing the blue jacket and after turning the opener with daylight, he proceeded to draw clear of his rivals. A son of Crash and Moorstown Debbie, this is a novice going places as he crossed the line twelve lengths clear, in a time of 28.84.
Race seven was the Sporting Press AO/A1 525 and Sparta Max took charge early on to record his seventh career victory. Jointly owned by Philip Gough and John Fitzgerald, Sparta Max broke best of all from trap one and he turned the opener with a bit to spare. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Sparta Emmy stuck to his task well to cross the line two lengths clear of the fast finishing Romeo McQueen in second. The time was 28.75.
The 29-second barrier was broke again in race eight as Fairys Return (Ballymac Eske - Hovex Grace) came from off the pace to score for trainer David Flanagan. Running from trap one, the heavyweight tracker nestled in behind early on but Patrick McCormack’s charge emerged a threat at the midway point. Staying on best of all in the closing stages, Fairys Return powered to the front to see off Greenbanks Tiger by three and a half lengths. The time was 28.98.
Garfiney Legend (Vulturi - Dolcino Rose) was another who got off the mark in race nine as Michael Lynch’s dog showed good determination to come out on top. Running from trap one, the Anthony Slattery-trained black was never too far off the pace and despite surrendering the lead early, he came again to land the spoils by a length over Heathview Lynda in second. The time was 28.90.