DANICA DELIVERS IN RURAL SECOND ROUND AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The second round of the Rural Kennels Unraced 525 may have taken place a few days later than originally planned at Clonmel last night, however, it was certainly worth waiting for as there were several top-class performances that have set fire to this stake.
The plaudits for the fastest time of the night went to the Liam Dowling-owned and trained Ballymac Danica as she built on her first round victory to claim a red-hot heat five and remain unbeaten. Fast away from trap four, she was narrowly headed on the run-up by the blistering early speed of Romeo Taylor and patrons were treated to a brilliant spectacle thereafter. Running a terrific bend, ‘Taylor’ held a decent advantage over Ballymac Danica, however, once she got straightened up on the back straight, the daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Arminta took off and Romeo Taylor could do nothing to withstand the pressure. Posting a blistering 15.97 sectional, it was clear that the blue brindle was producing something straight from the top drawer and she pulled away nicely to record a comfortable, eight length victory over Romeo Taylor in second. The time was a mouthwatering 28.39 on a track rated .10s. The final qualifying position went to Compo Simmonite in third.
BELLA WAS EPIC
Not too far off in terms of the clock was Epic Bella in heat two as she went one better than her second place finish in the opening round.
Just a four-dog affair, this took nothing away from what was a quality performance as Maria Kennedy’s July puppy broke in front from trap one and never looked back thereafter. Epic Bella set a blistering gallop up front and she held a healthy lead over the improving, Carrick Keano, who had missed the kick from four. Posting a rapid 16.03 to the third turn, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Good Diva maintained a smart gallop and despite coming under pressure from Carrick Keano late on, scored by one and a half lengths crossing the line. The time was 28.44 .10s with Glenvale Sport claiming the final qualifying position in third.
ROUNDING UP THE HEATS
In heat one, Savana Alfredo also maintained his unbeaten career start as Kevin Boothby’s charge prevailed in a messy affair. Taking it up at the second turn, the son of Droopys Sydney and Sporting Riviera came home three and a half lengths clear of Swords Hero in second, in a time of 29.05 .10s. Faypoint Maureen claimed her spot in the next round a further four and a half lengths back in third.
Many greyhounds will still hold their unbeaten records heading into this weekend and Carefree Comet is one of those after he produced a thoroughly professional display for Bernadette Connolly. A big eye-catcher in round one, ‘Comet’ bolted from trap three and was aided by Romeo Steel in two, who moved off the opening turn, allowing Carefree Comet to open up a six length lead into the back straight. Powering down the back, the son of Droopys Sydney and Carefree Tipp stopped the third-bend sectional clock at 16.05 and continued to pull clear of his rivals to cross the line with seven and a half lengths to spare over Rebel Autumn in second. The time was 28.70 .10s with Me Gotthepower claiming the final qualifying position in third.
Grouchos Finn came into this stake with some eye-catching trial form and although he could only manage third in his opening round assignment, the John Byrne-trained tracker bounced back in emphatic style last night. Running from trap three, ‘Finn’ was quickly into stride but was matched in the early proceedings by Serene Highway in trap two. The duo were to serve up a tasty buckle thereafter, however, the superior stamina of Shane and Luke O’Connell’s Grouchos Finn was to pay dividends. Staying on strongly, the son of Droopys Sydney and Oisins Choice was half a length better off than Serene Highway, with Stonepark King ensuring that Michael O’Donovan is doubly represented in the next round. The time was 29.03 .10s (Sec: 16.19)
The remaining heat of the second round was claimed by the Robert Gleeson-trained Toolmaker Bud as he produced a very likeable display. Running from trap four, he received a bump at traprise but still showed fine early dash to round the turn a narrow second behind Dangan Wee Girl in one. Looming large on the outside, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Natalia was again short of room at the third turn as Dangan Wee Girl continued to assert. However, on the run for home, ‘Bud’ made his intentions clear. Powering to the front, he drew clear to win by one and a half lengths from Dangan Wee Girl in second, with Avongate Venus claiming third. The time was 29.06 .10s (Sec: 16.23)
Patrons are reminded that Clonmel will be racing tonight, January 24th, and the card will feature the SPORTING PRESS A1 / A2 550 STAKE as well as the ORCHESTRATE @ STUD A0 / A1 BITCH STAKE