TOP-CLASS PUPPY DISPLAYS AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

With the Rural Kennels Unraced coming to a thrilling conclusion one night prior at Clonmel, there were more very talented youngsters on offer at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the semi finals of the Split The Pot ON1/ON2 525 got underway.

Of the two semis, it was Bogger Tommy that went marginally faster as he built on a terrific debut performance from his litter brother, Bogger Pat, one night before at Kilkenny.

Owned by Liam Peacock, this is proving to be a fantastic litter by Glengar Bale and Bogger Ophelia and despite some hugely talented debutants in the line-up, he was installed as the 5/4 favourite alongside Born Braver. Donning the favourable red jacket, ‘Tommy’ meant business from the off as he broke well before protecting his inside line like a seasoned performer to turn in front. Now two lengths clear of Liberty Sport entering the back straight, Born Braver made rapid progress in third and he looked a real threat as the duo entered the penultimate bend with just over one length to separate them. However, Bogger Tommy was very strong in the closing stages of the contest and he duly upped the ante turning for home to put three lengths between himself and Born Braver in second. A smart performance from this July whelp, the time was a mighty impressive 29.04 .2os.

Prior to that, Berritxu was equally as impressive as Javier Jarne’s striking fawn came from off-the-pace to make a winning start to his racing career.

It was Bogger Bale, another member of that eye-catching Glengar Bale litter, that was installed as the 5/4 favourite and he looked home and hosed as he recovered from a moderate start to show blistering early speed to lead. At this point, Berritxu (2/1) nestled into second from four but had plenty of work on his plate in his efforts to reel in ‘Bale’, who had a four length lead in hand approaching the midway point. However, Berritxu showed a massive turn of pace approaching the penultimate turn and the writing looked on the wall as ‘Bale’ began to run on empty at the head of proceedings. Sticking close to his rails berth, Berritxu only got stronger as the contest progressed and the son of Ballymac Vic and Ballymac Wisdom powered to the front in the closing stages to cross the line two lengths clear of Bogger Bale in second. The time was a smart 29.12 .20s.

BORN RACER FASTEST OF THE NIGHT

Although there were some impressive pups on show in the earlier races, it was Born Racer that clocked the fastest time of the night for John Mitchell and Jennifer O’Donnell.

Of course, Born Racer (Ballymac Anton - Whitings Gift) is the reigning Fair Warrior champion at Mullingar and he came into the contest with a rapid 16.17 trial effort around Clonmel. As a result, it was hardly surprising to see this tracker installed at odds of 4/6 as this was A2 contest, which is a grade he was head and shoulders to good for. Just a four-dog affair, Born Racer was only moderately into stride but showed all of his sprinting power to excel in the early exchanges and take a three length lead into the back. Borna Rooster was in second at this point and he chased the favourite gallantly without making much impression entering the bottom two bends. However, the ‘Rooster’ edged closer as the race came to a conclusion and Born Racer kept just enough in reserve to see off his talented challenger. Just a half-length between the pair crossing the line, the time was a rapid 28.93 .20s.