KASKO DOG FOODS UNRACED ACTION TO CONTINUE AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

The Kasko Dog Foods ON2 525 got off to an explosive start last weekend and the semi finals of the €2,200 to the winner stake serve as the highlight on tonight’s Thurles card.

Pragmatism produced an incredible performance on debut when posting 28.67 .20s, however, even in the absence of what looks an outstanding talent, the stake is still high on quality. Next best in terms of the clock was Knockroe Fern as he flew to a 29.05 win for owner Eamonn Lloyd. A fawn son of Ballymac Best and Rosmult Racer, he justified 4/5 favouritism on that occasion to win comfortably and looks well drawn in two to make it back-to-back wins in the second semi. That said, the performance of Zenith Efendi last time out did not go unnoticed. Trained by Fraser Black, the heavyweight blue showed massive speed down the back to fly past Magical Blaze and although facing a tricky draw in the stripes, should again be thereabouts. Of the others, Bogger Conway didn’t show his true colours on debut and can have a say, while Here’s Ringo walked from traps on debut before finishing with a wet sail. With a sharper exit, he could be one for the trio punters.

The opening semi final is a wide-open affair on paper but Boozed Jet is the selection for Paraic Campion. The son of Ballyhimikin Jet may have been a long way third last time out, however, did show speed in behind and will appreciate a better draw in trap two. Voltereta was one better off than Boozed Jet last time out and Javier Jarne’s charge is likely to be in the vicinity once again. A lovely blue and fawn, he was a sales purchase at Kilkenny at the last auction and he produced a satisfactory first outing for his new connections. Drawn in four this time around, patrons can expect another step forward later tonight. Selected to also fill the podium and progress into the decider is Lemon Thelma. The blue daughter of Jacob Tashadelek, owned by Tom Lennon, came into this event with an eye-catching 29.33 qualifying effort and her estimate of 29.16 in behind Knockroe Fern cannot be dismissed. Indeed. ‘Thelma’ is likely to go off favourite and any improvement on her prior display will be enough to advance.