2024 RURAL OPENER DELIVERS TOP-CLASS RACING AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The opening round of the 2024 Rural Kennels Unraced 525 got underway at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and despite the testing conditions, the action was first class.
Of the eleven heats on offer, it was Romeo Taylor who went narrowly quickest in heat seven as he made every yard of the running for Dave Firmager and Graham Holland. Coming into the stake with some eye-catching trial form, the son of Newinn Taylor wasted no time in showcasing his ability as he bolted from trap two. Immediately manufacturing a healthy lead on the run-up, ‘Taylor’ had some six lengths in hand down the back as he posted a rapid 16.13 to the third turn. Showing no signs of any let up, Holland’s charge powered up the Clonmel straight and he was to cross the line four lengths clear of Glendale Zozo, in a fast 28.88. Given the conditions, the track was rated .40s on the night, therefore, amounting to an exceptional effort from Romeo Taylor.
O’DONOVAN DOUBLE
The formidable kennel of Michael O’Donovan looks to have some fine ammunition for 2024 and he sent out a double in the heats with Stonepark King going quickest.
Owned by Michael Sean O’Dwyer, Stonepark King had that excellent 28.75 qualifying effort around Limerick prior to the stake and he built on that with a paw-perfect performance in heat three. Emerging from a level break to show sizzling early speed, the white jacketed-runner quickly opened up a healthy seven length lead down the back and he posted 16.32 to the third turn. Getting stronger as the race progressed, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ballyverry Sarah drew clear in the closing stages to cross the line eight lengths clear of Untold Ruble in second. The time was 28.95 .40s.
Prior to that, Serene Highway got the stake off to a flier in heat one as he too never saw another tail. This time owned by Eddie Ryan, the son of Good News and Boleys Ace came away like the wind from trap one and in doing so, quickly put this contest to bed. Holding a strong four length lead down the back, ‘Highway’ clocked 16.23 to the third turn and he maintained that strong gallop all the way to the winning line. Four lengths clear of Romeo Steel at the line, the time was 29.01 .40s.
HEAT WATCH
In heat two, Durango Kid produced a trap-to-line performance for Pat and Cara Muldoon. Only an August pup, the son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Tammy meant business from the off as he bolted from trap four to immediately move across to the rails and lead. Holding a two length lead over Epic Bella down the back, ‘Kid’ drew clear off the final turn as he expressed his superior stamina to seal a four length win over Epic Bella in second. The time was 29.00 .40s (Sec: 16.40)
It would be a rarity if an unraced stake progressed without a Liam Dowling winner and he notched a winner in heat four as Ballymac Danica took control late on. A choicely bred daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Arminta, ‘Danica’ was forced to play second fiddle early doors as Swords Hero set a scorching gallop to the midway point. However, she quickly raced past her rival down the back straight before staying on expertly to win by two lengths from Swords Hero in second. The time was 28.94 .40s (Sec: 16.48)
Fraser Black may have a select number of runners nowadays, however, he remains a formidable kennel and he proved that point with Maireads Prince in heat five. Owned by Joe Horan, the June pup sat menacingly in behind Dangan Wee Girl for the first half of the contest, however, he coursed around his rival between the bottom two bends. Showing excellent stamina thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Clona Skye stormed to a three and a half length victory, in a time of 29.06 .40s (Sec: 16.31)
James Flynn got in on the act in heat six as Second Treasure made full use of his inside berth in trap one. Tight for room on the run-up, the son of Ballymac Best and Cloncunny Peecee nipped around in front and in doing so, took full advantage of several bits of traffic in behind. Going about his own business in fine style, ‘Treasure’ stayed on stoutly to seal a four length victory over Faypoint Maureen in second. The time was 29.33 .40s.
William Esmonde also scored a heat winner on the night as Dakota Law took charge in the closing stages to seal victory. Running from trap five, the son of Burgess Bucks and Yahoo Amelia was out with the washing early on as he trailed the field into the back straight. However, showing fine dash at this point, coupled with more trouble up front, ‘Law’ didn’t need a second invitation to come through powerfully and score by five and a half lengths. The time was 29.43 .40s.
The Bernadette Connolly owned and trained Carefree Comet came into this event with some scorching sprint form and he duly obliged in heat nine. Running from trap two, the son of Droopys Sydney and Carefree Tip was led early on by Kilcolgan Whitney but he quickly showed the superior early dash to lead at the opener. From here, ‘Comet’ set a fine gallop and he kept enough in reserve to see off Kilcolgan Whitney by two and a half lengths. The time was 29.20 .40s (Sec: 16.48)
Murt Leahy has tasted success in this competition before with Storys Direct and he was represented by the winner of heat ten, Avongate Venus. Owned by Rory Hickey, ‘Venus’ tracked brilliantly at the opening turn to avoid traffic and she was to take control entering the back straight. Looking a winner thereafter, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Ring had to see off the fast-finishing Ballyhooley Tejay in the closing stages as she crossed the line with just a half length to spare, in a time of 29.40 .40s.
The concluding heat of the night saw Savana Alfredo score for Kevin Boothby. A five-dog affair, the red jacket of ‘Alfredo’ was to benefit from his rails pitch as he turned in front at the opening bend. Just holding Mays Bozado down the back, the son of Droopys Sydney and Sporting Riviera gained a second wind on the run for home as he crossed the line with three lengths to spare, in a time of 29.38 .40s (Sec 16.66).