JAYKAY FLIES ON CLONMEL DEBUT

Peter Farrell

There was a flood of unraced action at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and the pick of the performances came from Jaykay Fly as he opened his account in flawless style for owner Laura Kennedy.

Running in heat three of the Kilsheelan Gallop ON2/3 525, the Thurles raider donned the white jacket in this contest and he could hardly have been more impressive as he ran out a wide-margin winner. Flying from traps to record a 2.87 sectional, the January youngster raced into the opening bend with a commanding lead. Stretching his advantage to six lengths down the back, the son of Serene Ace - Flaming Sahara stopped the third-bend sectional clock in a swift 16.00 and thereafter, he never relented in running to a ten length success. A bright future ahead, the strapping black posted a smart 28.70 on the night.

In other heats, Norfolkandchance justified his even money favouritism as he also ran out a convincing winner for Graham Holland and the Norfolk-And-Chance-Syndicate. Taking charge on the run-up from trap two, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet - Raha Gogo emerged eight lengths better off than Offshore Dazl in 28.76.

There was another eight length success in heat one as Goldcash Warrior (2/1) came from off-the-pace for joint owners Michael Doyle and Jack Meade. A very young March 24’ pup, the son of Grangeview Ten - Wise Eruption had to bide his time early on as he sat in second place, however, he proved much too strong from the halfway mark as he stormed to the front to win by eight lengths from Emers Cody in second. The time was 29.33.

In the final heat, another favourite obliged as 5/4 chance Darcy Diamond led from the outset for Peter Comerford and Owen McKenna. A choicely bred daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire, ‘Darcy’ flew from trap five and immediately made a beeline for the inside. In doing so, she took a healthy lead into the back from Brideside Emily and although the latter pressed hard, Darcy Diamond kept just enough in reserve to cross the line with a half-length to spare. The time was 29.43. Later in the card there would be a litter double for connections as Sapphire Sydney justified his 4/7 price with a powerful finish to reel in Petshop Farewell in 28.71.

EDERMINE A FORCE GOING FORWARD

There was ON1 action also on the card as the Slievenamon 525 got underway and Edermine Force went quickest for joint owners Thomas and Patrick O’Gorman.

Just a February whelp, Edermine Force came into the contest having dipped under 29-seconds in qualifying and he soon made his intentions clear with a slick exit from trap three. In doing so, the 2/1 shot excelled in the early part of the contest, before really upping the ante off the final bend. Finishing strongly to record a five length success over Serene Icon in second, the time was 28.73.

The second semi final was won in thrilling style as Lone Venom (2/1) came from off-the-pace to get up in the dying strides for Michael O’Donovan and Darragh and William Keane. Another with some hugely impressive qualifying efforts, the son of Droopys Sydney - Ballymac Pete endured a rough passage early on but recovered well to sit second behind The Other Eimear down the back. Thereafter, O’Donovan’s charge was screaming for racing room throughout before finally getting loose in the closing stages. Wearing down his rival to cross with a neck in hand, the time for Lone Venom was 28.96 and one suspects he will go considerably quicker with a clear passage.