AZEMAN GETS KENNEDY CUP OFF TO A FLIER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was some top-class action on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the opening round heats of the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup A3 525 got underway and it was Azeman that set the standard with a dominant performance in the concluding heat.

Trained by Dave Bourke for Javier Jarne, Azeman was chasing a first victory since June and he was installed as the 7/4 favourite to get back to winning ways for connections. Out like a light from trap one, the son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze quickly went about his business in fine style as he opened a three length advantage over Zari Socks into the back. Garbally Twink came through very well to improve into second, however, there was no catching Azeman as he romped to a three and a half length victory in 28.59.

HEAT WATCH

Favourite backers got off to a good start in the opening heat as Orchid Legacy justified his 5/4 billing to record a maiden victory for Declan Moloney. Quickest into stride wearing the white jacket, the son of Droopys Sydney and Toms Ariana showed good early dash to turn ahead of Peteshesquick and although the latter kept the leader honest thereafter, ‘Orchid’ stuck to her task well to win by one length. The time was 28.80.

Owned by Joseph O’Connor, Hearthill Rafa (Burgess Bucks - Hearthill Josie) secured back-to-back wins in heat two as he led from trap-to-line. Running from trap three, the 6/4 chance came away with intent as he paced up expertly to turn with a commanding lead over Foxwood Rip in second. Holding a three length lead down the back, the latter really pressed the leader in the closing yards, however, he came up just shy as Hearthill Rafa crossed the line with a half length to spare. The time was 28.83.

Heat three also saw another favourite prevail as Fast Fit Pennie recorded a brilliant eleventh victory for owner John Quinn. The 6/4 favourite, ‘Pennie’ broke well from trap one and she held her position to enter the back with a slender lead over the improving Blaze More Fire. Showing the superior stamina thereafter, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Fast Fit Maeve was a comfortable winner in the end as she crossed the line three lengths clear of Blaze More Fire, in 28.73.

In the remaining heat, Corrough Roger proved a tough nut to crack for Michael Curtin as he recorded a sixth career victory. Running from trap three, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Skiproe Samiya broke well and just held Rattlesnake Bono around the opening turn. Nip and tuck thereafter, ‘Roger’ was always holding his rivals as the 4/1 chance emerged a two length winner over Listen Here Ok in second. The time was 28.82.

*****

TRIAL STAKE WIN FOR BREDAS

Elsewhere on the card, there was a ticket into the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby up for grabs and this was landed by Bredas Wood for owner Pat Carey.

Sent to trap as the 5/4 joint favourite alongside Beanos Podge, Bredas Wood (Laughil Blake - Leamaneigh Breda) was the first to show from boxes as her blue jacket pinged out to lead Beanos Podge around the opening turn. Holding a two length advantage down the back, Bredas Wood was pressed all the way by the persistent Beanos Podge and despite the latter finishing with a wet sail, ‘Bredas’ just held off the challenge to win by half a length. The time was a brisk 29.74.