FOXROCK BALTIC DOMINATES ‘TIME CLUB’ DECIDER

Peter Farrell

The final of the ‘Join The TIME Club A5 525’ was the feature attraction on Friday night’s card at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and the decider went very much to script as Foxrock Baltic produced a commanding front-running display to land the €1,000 winner’s prize.

Kindly sponsored by Willie and Shane Rigney, the stake had been hotly contested across the earlier rounds, yet Foxrock Baltic was always the greyhound to beat. Owned by Canice Hyland, the pocket-sized tracker had already impressed with two straightforward victories in the earlier rounds and punters sent him off the 4/5 favourite to complete the hat-trick.

Breaking smartly from trap two, the favourite was briefly headed by the fast-starting Jimmys Swift in three, however, this was short-lived as Baltic’s superior pace soon told. Quickly surging past his rival on the run-up, ‘Baltic’ swept around the opening bend and this allowed him to manufacture a three-length cushion entering the back straight. From there, the race was effectively decided.

At the halfway point, Foxrock Baltic extended his advantage, flying into the penultimate bend where he clocked a sharp 16.23 sectional. Behind, Kerryroad Jessie was catching the eye as she improved into second, however, the favourite never looked in danger. Maintaining a strong gallop all the way to the line, Foxrock Baltic crossed three and a half lengths clear in a smart 28.78. A son of Jaytee Taylor and Charlies Bonnie, Foxrock Baltic has now put together three wins on the spin and he looks a greyhound with more to give as he steps up in grade.

ELSEWHERE

In other races on the night, Pepe Nero bounced back from his recent second place finish in the Eamon Gleeson Memorial to win at his leisure. Owned by Arthur Morrissey, the son of Pestana - Two Bucks, a 7/4 chance, took charge on the run-up from three and that effectively decided the contest. Romping to a ten length victory thereafter, the time was a fast 28.72.

The fastest time of the night came in race ten as Clondoty Joe brought his career tally to three wins for owner John Leahy. An impressive second place finisher behind the rapid Boozed Burgess last time out, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Clondoty Amy was to make no mistakes this time around. Flying from traps to clock a 2.82 sectional, ‘Joe’ held a two length lead over Sams Profile down the back and although the latter made inroads late on, the 5/2 chance held firm to cross the line with a half-length to spare. The time was a blistering 28.52.