QUIETER LIMERICK CARD SEES COURT KATE TAKE TOP BILLING

Peter Farrell

After a hectic spell of racing at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Saturday night’s card was a quieter affair, though it still delivered a number of notable performances.

On the night, Court Kate went quickest on the clock as Tony Maher’s runner made a winning return after four months on the sidelines. Clearly in good fettle, the 3/1 chance was drawn in four and she pinged the lids to immediately excel into a three length lead. Chased into the back by Carrigmore Milo, he made little impression on the daughter of Broadstrand Bono - Court Queen as she upped the ante at the three-quarter mark. Showing no sign of race-rust, Maher’s lady powered to the line, crossing with six and a half lengths to spare over ‘Milo’ in second. The time was 28.57.

Onthe Run Ollie was chasing a first win since November of last year and he made no mistakes as he emerged a good winner for Alan O’Toole and Padriag O’Lone. A former open class tracker, the 6/4 chance was on-song at traps as he broke smartly to lead his rivals on the run-up. Thereafter, the fawn son of Grangeview Ten - Muckinish Flyer was asked plenty of questions by Snuggie Battie in the closing stages, however, kept just enough in reserve to emerge a half length winner. The time was 28.69.

The curtain rasier was a novice affair and this saw Lucky Gem (Grouchos Duke - Courty Girl) get her racing career off to a flyer for Dave Bourke and John Meelam. Just an October whelp, ‘Gem’ donned the red jacket and showed the best of the early speed on the rails to nip around clear. Holding a lead of just over a length down the back, Kevinsfort Fancy stayed on powerfully in second, however, Lucky Gem wasn’t to be deterred as she crossed the line one and a half lengths clear of her rival. The time for the 2/1 chance was 28.70.

Race four saw the John Meehan-owned Bling Bling Mint (2/1) break her maiden tag at the fourth time of asking. Another to set her stall out at traprise, ‘Mint’ broke with intent to lead a closely knit pack on the run-up. In doing so, the daughter of Koblenz - Antepost Arminta made every yard of the running to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare over Highview Elegant in second. The time was 28.85.

Noah And Jack was installed the 6/4 favourite in race five and the Donal Duggan-trained runner was to bounce back emphatically after tasting defeat on debut. Drawn in five, the jolly was headed early doors by Asiam Magical in trap two. Forced to settle for second entering the back straight, Peter Russell’s dog tracked the leader closely before striking the front at the three-quarter mark. Thereafter, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Blueview Carrie stayed on strongly to quickly put two and a half lengths between himself and Asiam Magical. The time was 28.91.

Tyrap Malachi was a brilliant winner of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 stake on Kirby final night and David Carroll’s charge continued his purple patch to land race seven. Hoping to bring up a dozen victories, the son of Malachi - Varra Biddy produced his customary slow start from three and sat some eight lengths adrift of the early leader, Tally Ho Storm. However, edging closer throughout, Carroll’s charge stepped on the gas late on to fly home in what proved a blanket finish for three runners. Tyrap Malachi getting the nod by a neck, the time was 28.95.

Although the Walls-Of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate went very close with Tally Ho Storm, they did go home happy in the concluding affair as Tally Ho Flyit made every inch of the running to make it back-to-back wins. Drawn in trap one, the 3/1 chance broke well before railing tightly to secure the lead on the run-up. Holding a narrow lead down the back, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Tallyho Angel showed huge determination thereafter to hold off the late advances of Ballymartin Moll in second. Just a half-length between the pair, the time was 28.92.