TREATY CUP SUCCESS FOR THE BRILLIANT BURGESS JACK

Peter Farrell

Aside from the TIME Derby Action on offer at Limerick on Saturday night, there was another prestigious final down for the decision on the night as the 2024 Treaty Cup Open 350 came to a close.

Worth a brilliant €2,800 to the winner, you would have been forgiven for thinking this was a formality for Ballinakill Alf after his record-breaking exploits in the opening round was followed up with another accomplished performance in last week’s semi finals. However, this is sprinting and you can’t take anything for granted, as was proved by the ever-consistent and reliable Burgess Jack.

Indeed, Ballinakill Alf was installed as the red-hot 2/5 favourite to land the spoils for the Pillar Syndicate and Graham Holland, however, Burgess Jack was to have other ideas as he picked the perfect night to put it all together and post a sensational clock to boot. Owned by Sarah Shannon, ‘Jack’ was the other unbeaten tracker heading into the decider and the 5/1 shot took full advantage of a plumb draw in trap two to produce his best break in the competition to date. Showing bundles of early speed, the son of Burgess Bucks and Droopys Dargle had Ballinakill Alf for company early doors, however, after failing to produce the ping starts that had saw him run to virtual solos on the weeks prior, the jolly was always playing catch-up on one of the Country’s most consistent speedsters. Rounding the first bend in charge, Burgess Jack went about his business as you would expect from a greyhound that was on the verge of a sixteenth career victory. Flying up the Limerick hill to give the Shannon’s a memorable victory in the competition, Burgess Jack saw off Balinakill Alf by a solid three lengths as Trionas Tribe claimed the remaining podium slot a further short-head back. The time was a blistering 18.45.