Bookie bursts River’s banks in Steed Limerick double

TRAPRISE

 

Always a personality to take both the highs and lows of greyhound racing in stride with an ever-gracious sporting manner, trainer Pat Steed must surely have breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday last when the Lorna & Maureen Syndicate’s Bookies Bicycle left behind a series of placed efforts to open the Limerick SIS meeting with a most deserved victory, which was frustratingly overdue!

One of the most consistent performers at Limerick, his latest win came in November but despite admirably holding his form throughout the winter months, the intervening period would see him fill second position on no less than six occasions. The strong stayer would invariably threaten in the home-straight but when in forward positions, he found a runner out front who was not stopping or if a doubtful stayer was to lead, a bump would cost the Ballinaclough charge crucial ground in his bid to pounce late.

For weeks now it has seemed just a matter of time before he would gain reward for these consistent efforts and with an improved start from Trap 3, he settled the score in his A4 525-yard contest when taking much closer order to the back-straight.

Arriving at the first bend with rivals on either side, Bookies Bicycle (Iso Octane/Danmar Mini) would briefly be short of racing room but emerging from the second bend with just a two length margin to recover, and with clear sight of the pacesetter, he had earned a clear winning opportunity which he would not surrender.

Drawing closer on the run to halfway, he executed his strongest part of the race to perfection when drawing alongside the leader at the closing bends before asserting on the run to the home-straight. Powering to the line, Bookies Bicycle registered a fifth career success with two lengths to spare in a smart 29.15. This win will bring a return to A3 grade next time but if repeating this week’s good start, that rise should hold little fears for the hugely likeable July 2017 whelp.

With a similar recent profile to Bookies Bicycle, kennel companion Caulry River (Farloe Tango/Horseleap Nicola) had not tasted victory since October but reaching Open class then, he had been competing in exalted company which included the Irish St leger before the end of last season.

Beginning this campaign with close efforts in A1 and A2, he also maintained a very solid level of form and just like his travelling companion on Thursday, looked set for a return to winning ways before too long. A recent ease to A3 appeared very appealing and he duly completed the Steed double in a facile 525-yard success.

Again just moderately to stride from Trap 6, the Mary Ellens Gang Syndicate’s Caulry River would pace up well on the outside of a packing field and reached the corner while widest of a line of six runners. Forcefully rounding rivals however, he swept powerfully into the turn and proceeded to skip clear on the run to the back-straight.

Fully in command to halfway, the Steed charge had the verdict beyond doubt before even reaching the closing bends and duly completed a comfortable sixth career success with six and a half lengths to spare in 29.20. Avoiding a rise in grade, he will hold every claim to build on this victory next time.

Staying in Limerick, the Saturday card brought the final of the ON3 525 Yard Stake in which Sandra Guilfoyle’s Magical Dave (Laughil Blake/Jaxx Party Time) had produced such an impressive debut last week when posting 28.75 on debut and the July 2018 pup further enhanced his star potential in a final performance which oozed class.

Housed in Trap 1, the Pat Guilfoyle trained prospect would be led in the initial stages but quickly displaying smart early dash, struck the front approaching the first bend before skipping readily clear while turning.

Reaching the back-straight with six lengths in hand, this final was reduced to little more than a solo trial spin as Magical Dave bounded further clear with each stride. Appearing to display strong running abilities from halfway, he completed the procession with sixteen lengths to spare. Posting 28.53, he could scarcely have impressed more and the Moneygall kennels have yet another likely superstar among their formidable team of racers. Remember the name!

Having found repeated bumping and crowding on debut last month, an opportunity to contest his second race start in A9 company made Eoin Troy’s Mystical Matt (Tayors Sky/Skywalker Gail) an ominous presence on the same Saturday card and clearly benefitting for his debut experience, he duly obliged over 525-yards while giving the impression that further progress is imminent.

A June 2018 pup, Matt was housed in Trap 3 and broke just off the pace before reaching the bend in second position while on the outside of the leader. Ushered wide, he would cede a three-length lead while retaining second to the back-straight but once in full stride passing halfway, began to readily reduce his arrears.

Joining the leader with a challenge on the outside between the closing bends, he would poke his head in front before reaching the home-straight when remarkably maintaining forward momentum despite a minor stumble. Staying stoutly to the line, he registered a three and a quarter length verdict in 29.49 and a rise to A4 should not hinder his progress next time having left much scope for improvement from this victory.

Concluding the weekend action at Thurles was Tom White’s Lisatunny Robin (Tyrur Sugar Ray/Tyrur Sadie) and having scored her latest victory in June of last year, a return from a racing sabbatical this season had seen her with very decent placed performances ahead of Saturday’s A4 525-yard contest.

Second last time out, the strong runner at the standard trip found her best break from a repeat draw in Trap 5 and once reaching the first bend with a one length lead, she could in truth be called a winner even from that early stage. Stretching to two lengths at the top of the back-straight, she was however joined at the halfway mark by a rival to her inside with the verdict back in the balance.

Not phased as the leading duo tackled the closing bends, Lisatunny Robin readily regained the lead on the outside and quickly settled the race when skipping clear to the home-straight. A powerful gallop to the line saw her stretch clear to an ultimately comfortable four length verdict in 29.76 (-40) and remaining in the same grade, she will hold every chance to build on this fourth career success.