TWO OUTSTANDING SEMI FINALS OF THE LAURELS

Barry Drake

A huge crowd gathered at Curraheen Park on Saturday night for the semi-finals of the €30,000 to the winner Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels.
Backed from 7-1 into 4-1, Ballymac Whispa landed the opening semi final for Liam Dowling.

As expected, it was Serene Ace who flew from traps to lead. Favourite Droopys Edison turned second and he looked in prime position but the winner showed incredible pace to go past Droopys Edison on the turns for home. Powering up the home straight, Ballymac Whispa took up the running and she went on to beat the running on Droopys Edison, by two and a half lengths, in 28.15. Serene Ace finished third, just a head behind the runner up.
HOLLAND 1-2
Trainer Graham Holland recorded a 1-2 in the second semi final. It was a bit of an upset with Galloping Sydney winning at odds of 4-1 for owner Una Creed.

A stunning performance from the winner who just had enough early dash to slip around in front. Favourite Swords Rex totally missed the kick and he looked in serious trouble. It was all about Galloping Sydney upfront as he caught the eye with big all round pace. A 28.28 winning run, a length and a half clear of Swords Rex, who himself ran a remarkable race to grab second place. Good Cody got third, a length and a half behind the runner up in third.

FINAL DRAW

1 BALLYMAC WHISPA

2 GOOD CODY

3 SERENE ACE

4 DROOPYS EDISON

5 GALLOPING SYDNEY

6 SWORDS REX

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FANTASTIC RUNS
The Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake produced two fantastic semi finals.

In the opening heat, Bartlemy Jas was a runaway winner for owner Liam Mannix and trainer Kieran Lynch. The 1-2 favourite won in style, clocking 28.47.
In the second semi final, Ballycowen Lola impressed for owner Debbie Doyle and trained Dean Harpur. A 28.47 winning run from the 5-2 shot.
SEMI FINALS
Also on the night we had the two semi finals of the Jerry & Michael Hennerty Memorial Unraced Stake.

Trained by Robert Gleeson for owner William Hyslop, Toolmaker Stan ran out a convincing winner of the opening heat. The son of Pestana and Droopys Pizazz took control early on and the 4-5 favourite went on to win easily, in 28.71.
FRONT RUNNING DISPLAY
Droopys Unicorn (Spoofer-Droopys Posh) delivered a fine front running display in the second heat. Trained by Johnny Linehan for owner Barry O'Driscoll, the 6-4 second choice of the punters scored in 28.87.
CLOSING RACE
Racing ended with a smart run from Droopys Rocker who returned to winning ways for owners Sean and Pat Hegarty and trained Johnny Linehan.

Showing massive pace along the back straight to take up the running, the 6-4 joint favourite went on to beat Millridge Bobby, by three and a half lengths, in 28.50.