BOARDOFPEACE SIGNS OFF IN STYLE IN O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS TRI-DISTANCE DECIDER

Peter Farrell

A handsome €3,000 lay in wait for the winner of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Michael Keating continued a fine run of form for his kennel as Boardofpeace completed a clean sweep of the stake with a strong performance in the decider.

Despite winning both prior rounds and coming into the decider as one of two unbeaten runners, Boardofpeace was installed at odds of 4/1, illustrating the calibre of tracker in what was a really classy final. Stepping up to the demanding 600-yard trip, the Monbeg duo of ‘Notorious’ and ‘Hero’ were fancied to battle it out for the valuable first prize. However, they had no answer to Boardofpeace on the night as he made every post a winning one for connections.

The September fawn had landed his previous heats in 29.95 over 550 yards and 31.22 over 575 yards in fine style, while his draw in one represented real market value for a greyhound likely to race prominently from traprise. Quickest into stride, Keating’s charge soon showcased his early speed on the run-up to round the opener clear of Monbeg Hero in three. Running a superb bend, the son of Dromana Bucko - Clounamon Cheeko opened up a three-length advantage down the back and, in truth, the chasing pair of Monbeg Hero and Velvet Lagatha made little inroad on the leader. With the extra 25 yards now in force, there was still plenty to play for on the run for home and, although Monbeg Hero closed the gap inside the final fifty yards, the damage had been done early by Boardofpeace. He crossed the line a length and a half clear of Monbeg Hero in second, stopping the clock in 32.49. The time underlined the quality of the competition and much appreciation must go to O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel for their continued support and sponsorship of the event.

MAGIC FOR MAN IN FLOWTECH SEMIS

Michael Keating also enjoyed success on the supporting card as Magicman landed his semi-final of the Flowtech Ireland A4/A5 525 in brilliant style.

Sent off as the 2/1 joint favourite alongside Thanks Magic, Magicman broke well from trap five and immediately excelled in the opening yards to clear Bosra Bono in one. In doing so, the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Pats Angela stretched out well down the back and held a healthy advantage over Thanks Magic, who was improving into second. Never under threat, however, Magicman stayed on strongly on the Limerick hill and comfortably crossed the line three lengths clear of Thanks Magic in 28.59, capping off a memorable night for the Keating kennel.

In the opening semi-final, Boozed Foxy (4/1) went one better than her narrow short-head defeat last time out. Owned and trained by Paraic Campion, ‘Foxy’ was well away from trap one and her inside draw proved decisive as she just led around the opening bend. Immediately challenged by Hail Mary, ‘Foxy’ regained control down the back straight and, despite being asked plenty of questions late on, the daughter of Boyhero - Vivaro Sansa held on by a length and a half to score in 29.37. That victory incidentally sealed a double on the card for the Campion kennel, with Boozed Mags (King Sheeran - Hollyhill Debbie) also claiming victory in an A2 contest. On that occasion, the 3/1 chance, owned by Gary Pepper, arrived late to win by three lengths in 28.89.

ELSEWHERE

Elsewhere on the card, there were several notable performances, none more so than in the curtain-raiser as the Corona Ryan-trained Bronx Express produced a fantastic debut display. Owned by John Edwards, the choicely-bred son of Dromana Bucko - Swanley Chick went to traps as the 11/10 favourite and, although briefly headed by Grangeviewtaylor, quickly stormed clear to win by two lengths in 28.57.

In race six, Your The King clocked the fastest time of the night as the 6/4 favourite, trained by Declan McDonagh for Mick Darcy and Noel Gavin, ran rampant to record the second victory of his career. The August son of Dromana Bucko - Coronation took a flyer from trap five to post a rapid 1.21 sectional and made no mistake thereafter, seeing off Tyrap Malachi by four and a half lengths in a blistering 28.35.

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