MORRISSEY FIVE-TIMER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was a special achievement at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Thursday night as the kennel of Tina and Abigail Morrissey recorded a fabulous five-timer.

The Thursday night slot is the regular SIS meeting at Limerick and of the twelve races on offer, five of them were landed by the Morrissey kennel. The first to pass the post in front was Abigails Lulu in race four, which was an A4 contest. Installed as the 15/8 favourite, ‘Lulu’ looked to have plenty on her plate as a poor start saw her sit at the rear of the field on the run-up. However, the daughter of Great Blue Shark and Errill Abbey showed magnificent track craft to nip around in second, before taking over midway down the back. Thereafter, the jolly stuck to her task well to see off Inislosky Edwin by one and a half lengths, in a time of 28.93.

In the very next race, Abigails Bogger upset the apple cart as he held on to score for the fifth career time. Drawn in six, the 5/1 chance was only moderately into stride, however, he showed electric early speed to round the opening turn with one length to spare over Airfield Thunder. In doing so, his big galloping frame saw him continue to set a smart gallop and although pressed in the closing stages by the fast-finishing Vigorous Misty, the son of Great Blue Shark and Bogger Sunny held on gamely to win. The time was 28.86.

Recording five wins in any one night is a brilliant achievement in itself, however, it would have been extra special to see Great Blue Shark sire three of those winners as he was owned and trained by the winning connections. His hat-trick was completed in race seven as the ever-reliable Abigails Duke claimed a thirteenth career success. Sent off at odds of 7/2, he was chasing a third straight victory in this contest and he showed all of his power and determination to come from off-the-pace to win by an extending one length. The time was 28.91.

The fourth victory came in race ten, an A4 contest, as Abigails Fire made it back-to-back wins at odds of 7/2. Drawn in six, the early-paced son of King Elvis made no mistake at traprise as he broke best of all before excelling into the opening bend ahead of Thanks Blue. In doing so, he set a strong gallop down the far side and looked home and hosed as a result. Cardi Fox came from out of the pack in the closing yards to present a real threat in the dying stages, however, the damage was done early as ‘Fire’ blazed across the line to win by a half-length. The time was 29.06.

A superb night was capped off in the concluding race on the card as Diegos Mai won comfortably to justify her 7/4 starting price. Bidding to get back to winning ways for the first time since early January, the daughter of Skywalker Luke and Diegos Sophia made this look very straightforward as she broke swiftly from trap one, before tracking well at the first bend to create daylight. Galloping into a handsome lead down the back, ‘Mai’ never relented on the run for home as she emerged a four length winner over Thunderin Chance in second. The time was 28.93.