TEDDY MAINTAINS STRANGLEHOLD IN MICHAEL GYKE O’SULLIVAN SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Michael Gyke O’Sullivan Memorial served as the feature of Saturday night’s action at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and Hopes Kitty continued his assault on this competition with another polished performance.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Amanda Jeal, Hopes Teddy has been flawless in the stake thus far and came into the semis as the red-hit favourite after two sub 28.20 performances in the rounds prior. Installed at odds of 2/5, the time may not have been as fast in last night’s semi finals, however, the performance was very impressive nonetheless and he will be odds-on in the decider in seven days’ time. Running from trap two, ‘Teddy’ just emerged from a level break to narrowly avoid trouble and nip around clear of Westside Ranger in second. Two lengths in hand at this point, the son of Confident Rankin and Dolls never looked under threat thereafter and although Westside Ranger kept the leader honest, ‘Teddy’ pulled clear late on to cross the line with three and a half lengths in hand. The remaining qualifier was Cagey Billy a further three parts of a length back in third, while the clock returned a slick 28.58 on a track rated .10f

In the second semi final, Lucy Roche was represented by Lurriga Lady and she duly obliged at odds of 5/1.

Owned by Eileen Roche, Lurriga Lady was without a win since April but had been tipping along nicely in the stake up to this point and she flashed from trap five to lead early on. Holding a three length advantage over Rallying Girl down the back, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Haddington Lady set a fine gallop throughout and although Rallying Girl did just that in the closing yards, Lurriga Lady kept just enough in reserve to score by half a length. The remaining qualifying position was claimed by Blastoff Ger and the time was a smart 28.63 .10f.

*****

KIM LANDS NOVICE DECIDER

Corona Ryan has a couple of fine prospects on her hands and Beaming Kim is certainly one of those as she maintained her unbeaten career start in the final of the Limerick Novice 525.

Sent off at odds of 4/9 after landing her debut assignment in 29.33, the June puppy didn’t trap too fluently from five, however, immediately excelled past the early leader Barronstown Jet. In doing so, Beaming Kim opened a three length advantage on her rival and in truth, barring incident this €600 decider was in the bag at the halfway mark. Stretching her lead around the bottom bends, the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet and Beaming Rosie upped the ante in the closing yards to pull clear and cross the line five lengths clear of Barronstown Jet in second. The time was 29.23 .10f.

ALL ABOUT BELLAGIO IN TALKING DOGS DECIDER

In the very next race, Bellagio went one better than his second place finish last time out to record a very impressive victory for David McGrath in the €800 to the winner Talking Dogs Unraced 525.

3/1 at the off, Bellagio had no answer to Beaming Cashout on his debut outing, however, clearly took plenty from that contest as he broke smartly from one to immediately take ownership of the rails. In doing so, the son of Confident Rankin and Taylor Kate quickly manufactured a six length lead over Water Lily in second and he rounded the bottom two bends to a virtual solo. Maintaining a blistering gallop up the home straight, McGrath’s charge was strong in closing stages as he crossed the line to a convincing seven and a half length win over Water Lily in second. The time was a swift 28.77 .10f.

WE GOT THIS WINS AGAIN

The third final on the card came in race nine as We Got This claimed the ‘Limerick Getting Out AO 525’ at odds of 2/1.

We Got This is no stranger to the winner’s podium and he came into the event chasing an eleventh career win for Sean Roche after landing his semi final contest seven days prior. From a level break, the orange jacketed runner enjoyed a clear passage in the early yards, however, it was Portdrine Magic that held the inside line well to turn with a two length advantage into the back. At this point, We Got This duly improved into second and given his strong running abilities, looked a big threat at the halfway mark. Edging closer rounding the penultimate bend, the son of Droopys Buick and Knocksouna Lady went neck and neck with Portdrine Magic around the final bend, however, there was a certain inevitability surrounding thee result as We Got This stormed to the front late on to win by an extended two lengths. The time was 28.75 .10f.

*****

IN OTHER RACES

Aside from the sweepstake action, there were no shortage of hugely impressive displays and the first of those came in race four as Boozed Burgess won for a fourth time for Osmond Bennett and Paraic Campion. Sent to traps as a 7/2 chance, the son of Burgess Bucks and Road Queen quickly got to work as he broke well from four to lead. In doing so, ‘Boozed’ had four lengths in hand over Kilcolgan Chief down the back and he maintained a powerful gallop thereafter to cross the line with three lengths to spare. The time was a blistering 28.42 .10f.

Race seven saw the Gammell Car Sale AO 550 take place and this was landed by arguably the performer of the night in Valinor. Trained by Declan McDonagh for Paul Horig and Catherine Darcy, the 7/2 chance had been out of luck in recent starts, however, she popped out in front from four on this occasion and that ultimately proved decisive. Indeed, the daughter of Good News and Galadriel proved a class above her rivals thereafter as she drew clear before crossing the line six lengths clear of Highview Bizarr in second. The time was a sensational 29.42 .10f for the 550-yard contest.

In the concluding contest was landed by Coss Tiny Boy as he produced a career best effort for owner Paula Coss. Bidding to double his career tally, the pocket-sized son of Malachi and Coss Queen was installed as a 6/1 outsider but he never read the script as he bolted from three to lead comfortably. Holding a solid advantage into the back ‘Tiny’ maintained a relentless gallop all the way to the winning line to record a two length victory over Killenauledasher in second. The time was a fast 28.65 .10f.