TRAPRISE - Banter cuts a real dash in Kasko
The 2020 renewal of the prestigious Kasko Unraced 525 Stake at Thurles Greyhound Stadium is proving as deep as any in recent memory and a strong local challenge within the event continues to semi-final stage with Peadar O’Dwyer’s Banter Blade (Droopys Nidge/Boxer Princess) unbeaten in his career start.
An opening round winner in 29.53 (-30), the Borrisokane youngster progressed for the experience gained when again breaking well from Trap 1 in the opening quarter-final on Saturday. Bravely battling when marginally headed at the first bend, a powerful turn of pace saw the August 2018 whelp strike the front on the run to halfway and he would settle the race when stretching clear to halfway. Threatened by a strong staying rival at the closing bends, Banter Blade was never for catching and extended once again on the run to the line for an emphatic four and a half length verdict in a slick 29.18 (-30).
With the fastest heat being won in 28.86, the O’Dwyer hopeful has time to find but if continuing to trap smartly, his claims in the event remain hugely competitive.
Joining Banter Blade in the semi-finals will be the John Byrne trained Reckless Lee (Skywalker Farloe/Mill Felicity) who despite losing his unbeaten tag on Saturday remains a big player in the stake having again impressed in the afore mentioned fastest heat.
A stacked contest with three first round winners and the fastest opening night runner, Knockboy Flight, the Byrne charge tussled for the lead with that rival in the early exchanges and gamely remained within a length to the backstraight, despite charting a wider course. Displaying powerful pace at halfway, Reckless Lee appeared likely to hit the front but Knockboy Flight was not for passing on Saturday and again holding the inside line at the closing bends, he stretched to a three and a half length verdict as Reckless Lee ceded ground when wide off the final bend. A warm contest in 28.86 (-30), the Byrne runner remains a factor in the Kasko as he continues his impressive career start.
Nico impresses in Mystical debut
The local racing scene has been awash with young talent of late and last weekend revealed yet more likely future stars as Eoin Troy’s Mystical Nico (Good News/Magical Zeta) opened the Saturday action at Limerick with a truly stunning debut victory.
A December 2018 pup, Nico broke just behind the early pace from Trap 5 before pacing up well on the outside to contest the early lead on the approach to the first bend. Bumping with his fellow pacesetter upon turning would continue to the top of the back-straight with the pair locked in battle but straightening off the second turn, the Troy pup quickly settled the race as a contest when bounding clear to halfway. Thoroughly impressive with a powerful galloping style akin to his Derby winning sire, Mystical Nico increased his lead with each stride on the run to the line for a facile nine length verdict in a brilliant 28.69. Given the early bumping here, that time represents a remarkable debut performance upon which he is likely to improve next time.
Staying at Limerick on Saturday and another pup who looks to have a very bright future is John Meelam & Sean Ryan’s Meduza (Good News/Jaytee Osprey) who extended her hugely promising carer start with a second win in three career outings while claiming A2 victory over 550 yards.
Successful at Thurles last time out, the extended four-bend trip looked ideal for the strong runner and she proved too hot to handle for more experienced rivals when ably defending the rails pitch from Trap 1 while tracking early pacesetter Liosgarbh Mags to the backstraight. Again, displaying exceptional pace to the closing bends, Meduza ranged up on the inside of the leader at third bend and squeezing a run on the rails, forced her way to the front in determined fashion. Powering to the line thereafter, the John Byrne trained pup relished the extra distance when stretching to a three-length winning margin in 30.24.
Rising to A1 next time, Meduza has the appearance of a steady improver and with scope to handle a range of distances going forward, is a runner to follow closely.
Staying with the younger contingent and Friday’s meeting at Galway uncovered another bright young prospect on the local scene when the Birr and Shinrone based Four Culchies Syndicate saw their Coolemount Boss (Iso Octane/Coolemount Bally) make a winning debut over 525 yards from the Rafferty training kennels in Ballingarry.
Ideally drawn on the fence, the March 2019 pup made a smart break and immediately took command of the inside rail as superior early dash saw the Rafferty charge with a one length lead to the opening turn. Handling the bends with real aplomb, Coolemount Boss readily extended his advantage when bounding clear to the backstraight and he had the verdict beyond reasonable doubt when reaching the halfway point. Ceding only minor ground to a strong staying rival close home, Coolemount Boss registered a comfortable four length verdict in a very smart debut time of 29.07 (-10). Eligible to race in A3 grade next time, he is another smart recruit on the local racing scene.
Saturday also brought the commencement of the 2020 Irish Laurels at Cork where local legend Grangeview Ten began his campaign when second to Brodys Magic in 28.12. The latter was gaining a modicum of revenge for his defeat to the Guilfoyle charge in the recent Irish Sprint Cup final but safely through to round 2, Grangeview Ten remains a leading outright fancy in the classic that only just eluded him when third twelve months ago.
The opening round did bring victory however for Siobhan Burke’s Patricks Machine as the Lorrha charge confirmed his recent impressive form at Shelbourne Park, posting a smart 28.62 and we will detail their expected progress in more depth next week.