ASHMORE SUSIE LANDS GAMMELL CAR SALES KENNEDY CUP

Peter Farrell

The final of the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup took pride of place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Paul Hennessy secured another big race victory as Ashmore Susie justified favouritism to land the €3,300 decider.

Owned by BoyleSports kingpin, John Boyle, Ashmore Susie had produced some terrific displays throughout the course of the Cup and although handed a convincing defeat at the hands of Foxwood Rip one week prior, her starting price of 4/5 was justified given a plumb pitch in red. That said, she was made to work extremely hard in the feature as Foxwood Rip proved a worthy rival throughout and had the draw been reversed, we may well have seen a different result.

From a level start, Blaze More Fire narrowly led in the early yards from trap six, however, ‘Susie’ really excelled on the rails and she ultimately made the race for herself as she showed huge determination to barge her way around the opening bend in charge. Quickly followed by Foxwood Rip, who tracked smartly at the opener to avoid the trouble, this very quickly became a two-dog affair heading into the back with both runners going stride for stride. Holding a lead of one and a half lengths at this point, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire was holding ‘Rip’ comfortably, however, he upped the ante passing the 750-yard box to bridge the gap on the leader. Now at the tail of ‘Susie’, the corner came just too soon for Foxwood Rip as he had to check, in turn allowing the jolly to once again create daylight. Staying on stoutly up the hill and showing excellent determination, Ashmore Susie stuck to her task well thereafter and despite Foxwood Rip once again blazing a trail in behind as he bid to get on terms, Hennessy’s charge held firm to cross the line with three parts of a length to spare. It was a further four lengths back to Fast Fit Pennie in third as the clock stopped in a rapid 28.53. Many congratulations are extended to John Boyle and Paul Hennessy, while thanks and appreciation also go to Gammell Car Sales for their generous sponsorship of the Kennedy Cup renewal.

*****

TEDDY AGAIN ASSERTS IN O’SULLIVAN MEMORIAL

The second round heats of the Michael Gyke O’Sullivan Memorial A1 525 served as the supporting act on the card and for the second straight week, Hopes Teddy proved a class above as he produced a blistering performance for Amanda Jeal and Pat Buckley.

Fresh from posting an incredible 28.16 .20f one-week prior, it wasn’t surprising to see Hopes Teddy installed as the 2/5 favourite and he produced a masterclass from start to finish, in turn recording another phenomenal clock. A full brother to Ballinabola Ed off a repeat mating of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady, ‘Teddy’ meant business from the off as he pounced in front wearing the blue jacket. Thereafter, it was a formality for Buckley’s charge as he drew clear of his rivals, while showing devastation pace and power to boot. Crossing the line a convincing seven length winner over Westside Ranger in second, the time for Hopes Teddy was a sensational 28.19.

HEAT WATCH

Just one spot separated the other two second round heats and narrowly quickest was Patsy and Aoife Coffey’s Carrigmore Freya. Installed as the 4/5 jolly, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Carrigmore Dizzy flew from traps, however, was outpaced in the early yards by Urnotgettinghim in four.

Plenty to do in second, ‘Freya’ got to work down the back and took charge rounding the bottom two bends as she started to show her superior stamina. Drawing clear of her rivals up the home straight, ‘Freya’ quickly amassed a five length advantage over Blastoff Ger, in a time of 28.58.

In heat two, Cagey Billy (Pestana - Lilly Lula) went just one spot slower as he emerged a fine winner for Christopher Delaney. Sent off at odds of 7/2, ‘Billy’ broke well from five but it was the favourite, Grouchos Blake, that asserted early on to take a comfortable lead into the back straight. Cagey Billy was never too far off the pace however, and as he edged closer around the bottom two bends, he made his all-important challenge in the closing yards to swoop to victory. Crossing the line with a half length to spare of Grouchos Blake, the time was 28.59.

*****

In the opening race on the card, Tullig Navalry produced an outstanding debut performance for the M-A-C-B-S Syndicate. Just a January 23’ pup, this fellow came into the event with two fine qualifying trials and as such, he was installed as the 4/6 favourite to make a winning start to his racing career.

A big 84-pounder, the son of Droopys Sydney and Hail Cleopatra was only moderately into stride from trap one, however, tracked like a seasoned veteran around the opening bend to assert. In doing so, he took a lead of a couple of lengths into the back and duly drew clear to win by five lengths from Bling Bling Lila in second. The time was 28.50.

In race two, Racenight Ivan saw Pat Buckley record another winner on the card as the April puppy doubled his career tally. Owned locally by Kevin O’Shea, who has some lovely greyhounds under his ownership at present, the 5/4 favourite was made to work hard early on as he walked from traps, however, he tracked well to turn third entering the back straight. At this point, Gwan My Boy had a clear lead out in front but ‘Ivan’ started to get to work on the approach to the penultimate bend. Edging closer with every stride thereafter, O’Shea’s charge showed excelled stamina abilities in grinding down the leader before storming to a one and a half length victory. A fine performance from this pup, the time was 28.78.

A treble for Pat Buckley was completed in race nine as Singalong Molly produced a serious performance in an AAO/AO 550. Owned by Gilbert Anderson, this lady had two wins from her last three starts coming into this contest and she quickly meant her intentions felt with a slick exit from trap six to lead. Turning with three lengths in hand, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Blundel Bridie set a scorching gallop thereafter and despite coming under late pressure from the eye-catching Orchid Queen, ‘Molly’ kept on well to seal a one length victory. The time for the 550-yard trip was a fantastic 29.53.

The last two races on the card were the semi finals of the Limerick Getting Out AO 525 and it was the Myles Cummins-owned Snuggy Bobby that went narrowly quickest. A son of Ballymac Cashout and Slaneyside Goldi, the 5/2 chance looked out with the washing early on as he sat in a midfield position, however, he showed constant improvement down the back to move second. Thereafter, he was all-0ut to reel in the 8/1 outsider Airfield Best but that he did as he got up late to win by a short-head. The time was 28.59. In the second semi, the Sean Roche-owned We Got This brought his winning tally to double figures as he justified his 6/4 price tag. Running from five, the son of Droopys Buick and Knocksouna Lady showed sizzling early pace to take charge early on and although Kilgarran Mickey challenged down the back, We Got This pulled clear in the closing stages to win comfortably. Three lengths ahead crossing the line, the time was 28.66.