KINTURK ROAD CEMENTS HER STATUS AS THE MARATHON QUEEN
Peter Farrell
After landing the Corn Cuchulainn Classic back in July, Kinturk Road firmly established herself as the marathon Queen at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as she captured the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire in trap-to-line fashion.
Kindly sponsored by Dan Flynn of Roma Casino, the Irish Cambridgeshire has oozed class from the outset and this was evident from the opening round as Irish Derby finalist, Threesixfive, smashed the track record in sensational style. However, all the while Kinturk Road (Pic: right) was drifting in somewhat under the radar and the Liam Dowling-trained star completed her unbeaten run through this stake in tremendous fashion as she made it ten wins from eleven starts over the six-bend trip.
As mentioned, Threesixfive recorded a sensational track record in round one and despite being handed a defeat in last week’s semi finals, she recovered brilliantly on that occasion after a poor start had threatened to see her eliminated from the stake. As a result, Scott Phelan’s charge still remained the one to beat despite what was a top-class decider, which also included the fastest semi final winner, Hukum. Given the quality, Kinturk Road, who was the only unbeaten finalist heading into the €5,000 feature, she was installed as a 3/1 chance to record a Corn Cuchulainn/Irish Cambridgeshire double and it looked very much on the cards straight from the off as Frank Thornton’s bitch pinged the lids from trap four.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN FOR KINTURK
With Kinturk Road taking her now customary bullet break, it already looked set to be a thrilling contest with both Hukum and Threesixfive also coming away smartly from traps two and three respectively. The latter duo briefly came into contact around the opening corner and this allowed Kinturk Road to take a three length lead upon entrance to the home straight for the first time. Followed in second by Hukum, who had opened a healthy lead over Threesixfive in second, it was a matter of catch-me-if-you-can for Kinturk Road as Dowling’s bitch set an explosive gallop up top.
STUNNING GALLOP
Stopping the sectional clock at 12.95 and 28.08, the fastest of the stake thus far, Kinturk Road was absolutely flying at halfway, however, this still wasn’t enough to fend off the hugely fast Hukum, who had closed the gap to around one length entering the fifth, as Threesixfive and indeed McNeill, also started to creep into contention with the business end approaching. At this point, it was very much game-on rounding the final turn.
750-FEATURE DOUBLE FOR KINTURK
Despite the advances of three serious greyhounds in Hukum, Threesixfive and McNeill, Kinturk Road is nothing if not game and the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta knows exactly how to win. Maintaining her relentless gallop to the line, Hukum was running an incredible race in second but was never able to get on terms, while Threesixfive ran out of yardage in her attempts to reel in what is fast-becoming a real rivalry between the pair. Crossing the line one length clear of Hukum in second, Kinturk Road secured an incredible Corn Cuchulainn/Irish Cambridgeshire double, following in the footsteps of Skywalker Logan in 2020, as she stopped the clock in 41.23. Threesixfive was a further three parts of a length back in third and no doubt she will prove a prominent figure going forward over the six-bend trip. Saturday night was all about Kinturk Road however; and many congratulations are extended to Frank Thornton and Liam Dowling on another terrific success.
SUPPORTING CARD
The standout performance on the supporting card came from Fantasy Moll, who will no doubt have the upcoming Irish St. Leger within her sights. Trained by the prolific Adam Dunford for Leslie Coveney, the pocket-sized daughter of Pestana and Newinn Madam produced a brilliant performance in the Milford Hospice AO 550 as she led from the outset to see off Oakfront Cadet by four and a half lengths. The time for the 550-yard trip was a blistering 29.64 for the 4/1 chance.
Prior to that, Raining Glory also broke the 30-second barrier for the 550-yards as Mark Cronin’s charge also made every inch to score for the sixth career time. Running from trap five, the son of Droopys Sydney and Faithful Jane was paw-perfect early on before seeing off Old Bill by one and a half lengths in a time of 29.88.
The fastest on the clock over the standard trip on the night was Raymonds Sid, who captured an A2 contest in dominant fashion. A 3/1 chance, Raymond Dowling’s charge was chasing a three-timer and he implemented expertly with another flash start from trap five. From here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Pennys Baccata drew clear of his rivals to win by six and a half lengths in 28.55.