FUTURE STAR ROMEO PURRS AT ENNISCORTHY

    FUTURE STAR ROMEO PURRS AT ENNISCORTHY

    Ian Fortune

    Twelve became six in the semi-finals of the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Open Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday evening with Priceless Romeo producing another brilliant display to take the headlines for Paul Hennessy, Bryan and Kathleen Murphy.

    Happy Jet also impressed to book his place in the decider.

    ROMEO ANOTHER PRICELESS PROSPECT

    Many outstanding greyhounds have carried the ‘Priceless’ prefix in the past and Romeo is the latest to emerge with a huge future.

    Despite a tricky draw in four in the second heat, the home bred son of Priceless Jet and Priceless Opera found a way to come out on top.

    Going up fast, he was in the middle of Ciaras Treasure and Altesse Clifford into the turn. Ciaras Treasure had the inside line and turned with a marginal advantage but Priceless Romeo found a way to turn a close second, despite bumping Altesse Clifford on the bend.

    Entering the back straight, Priceless Romeo was almost on terms with Ciaras Treasure. Both ran hard down the back straight with Priceless Romeo moving on at the third turn. It would be a decisive maneouvre. Easing on, the May ’23 whelp would go on to see off Ciaras Treasure by three lengths in a rapid 28.79. Altesse Clifford lost nothing in defeat, a further length and a half adrift in third.    

    A HAPPY JET

    Happy Jet justified odds-on favouritism in the opening heat, although he had to show his class and determination on the bend.

    Going up fast, the son of Run Happy and Bobsleigh Jet challenged the fast-starting Unattached into the bend.

    It was at this point that he had to be at his bravest. Driving across his rival, Happy Jet put himself in a great position to win the race. He did get a little caught up with Unattached, however, allowing Toker Hillside to turn a close second, alongside Unattached.  

    Importantly, Happy Jet quickly regained his momentum and he flew down the back straight to increase his lead to the third turn. Unattached won the battle for second but the Pat Buckley trained Happy Jet was not going to be stopped. Staying on well, he would cross the line two lengths clear in 29.13. Unattached was second with Toker Hillside just a length further back in third.  

    SEAL FASTEST IN PLATE

    Later on the card, Bonnie Seal set the standard in the semi-finals of the Whitewood Kennels Plate, getting loose down the back straight to win Heat 2 by a wide margin.

    Pulling right away from the final turn, the Laura Earl and Pat Whelan owned son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Luna Babylon would hit the line eight lengths clear of Nickys Lady in 29.14.

    ASH MAKES ALL

    JJ Fennelly’s Rebel Ash took the last of the three heats in 29.25.

    A member of the fast Broadstrand Bono/ Change Me litter, the February ’23 whelp made all to emerge a three-length winner over Lisnakill Denzel in 29.25.

    BEN SPRINGS A SURPRISE

    The opening heat went to John Hand’s Gudhand Ben.

    Despite going to traps a 20-1 chance, the son of Deerjet Sydney and Ballinabola Rum would lead early to win by a couple of lengths in 29.39. Hot favourite Boylesports Gold would overcome traffic to take second.