DROOPYS MONK QUICKEST IN LAURELS QUARTER FINALS
Barry Drake
DROOPYS MONK (Signet Ace-Droopys Lois) went quickest on the clock in the quarter-finals of the BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
The 11-10 favourite displayed all of his usual early speed from trap four, and he flew around the opening turns in front of Sober Barry. Powering down the back straight to move three clear of Sober Barry, the race always looked in safe keeping; however, to be fair to Sober Barry, he ran a cracker from a poor draw, out in six.
Keeping up on gamely up front, Droopys Monk recorded a career best, clocking 28.09, half a length clear of the fast-finishing Sober Barry, with just three quarters of a length back to Coloursaregreen, another who was finishing with a flourish.
The well-backed Ballymac Kamala (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Pete) made no mistakes from the rails pitch in the closing heat for Liam Dowling. The 8-11 favourite took control early and once in front, the outcome was never in any doubt. Such a strong-running lady at the head of affairs, she had all the answers up front, and she came home two and a half lengths clear of Slick Sanctuary, in 28.12. Droopys Porter was third, six lengths behind the runner-up.
In the opening, Magical Jet (1) (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) came out on top for Donal and Patrick Guilfoyle. Microchip took a flyer from trap five, with the well-backed winner turning second around the best turns. There was a slight coming together as they raced neck and neck on the turns for home, but once they straightened up on the home straight, the strong-running winner finished best, much to the delight of the crowd and the punters. At the line, Magical Jet (11-8) was a length clear of Microchip, in 28.39. Three lengths back to Ballycowen Moon.
Lone Calling (2) (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Pete) led early in the second heat, but Ropewalk Ranger took up the running soon after the opening turns. Hot favourite Ballymac Setanta was in early trouble after a poor start. Trained by Michael O'Donovan for William Keane, Lone Calling dug deep in the closing stages to run down Ropewalk Ranger, winning by a neck, in 28.68, at odds of 8-1. Setanta, after trouble in running, ran well for third, a length back.
In the fourth heat, Droopys Unreal (King Sheeran-Droopys Meteor), trained by Ian Reilly for owners the Actingdamaggot Syndicate, displayed plenty of early speed to make all the running from the rails pitch. The 10-3 winner kept finding up front, and he ran out a brilliant winner. A 28.15 winning performance, a length clear of the always-second Jaykay Fly.
Lissatouk Sydney (Deerjet Sydney-Lissatouk Peggy) caused a 33-1 upset in the fifth heat, winning for Brid McMahon. Pacing up well along the outside early, the improving winner kicked for home on the back straight. Displaying plenty of speed, he went on to deliver a fabulous 28.45 winning run, two lengths clear of Ballymac Linx. Half a length back to Sure Exile in third.
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FRIDAY NIGHT
On Friday night at Curraheen Park, Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy enjoyed a night to remember, winning all four quarter-finals of the Bart Leahy A2 Memorial.
Hennessy has won the last two runnings of the event, and once again, the lucky winner will bring home €10,000.
The quickest of the four was Lennies Jack (Signet Ace-Deelish Oreo) as he delivered a career-best 28.42 in the second heat. The 3-1 shot, owned by Lee Craze and John Kennedy Jnr, produced a dream start from the rails pitch, and he went on to make all the running. A length back to hot favourite Half Yours in second place.
In the opening heat, it was all about Early Home (Mcinerney-Nofliesonme) for owners the Bridge House Syndicate. Displaying lovely early speed from the rails pitch, the 2-1 second favourite went on to beat Happy Me, by five lengths, in 28.57
The night got even better when Priceless Ron (Priceless Jet-Luna Rocket) made it three on the night in the third heat. Owned by Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, the 1-2 favourite broke well from trap two and was in a great early battle with Glengar Blitz. Keeping on well throughout, the impressive winner came home a length and a half clear of Glengar Blitz, in 28.83.
Ceekay Susie (Droopys Sydney-Susie Sapphire) is a lady going places, and she completed the Hennessy four-timer in the closing heat. Owned by John Naughton, the 5-2 winner produced an explosive start from trap two to win the all-important early lead. Digging deep up front, she stuck to her task well and delivered an improved effort of 28.63 to land the spoils. Flyers Penney was three lengths back in second place.