TRAPRISE - Boy rescues Kirby hopes in battling performance
An exhilarating session of second round heats in the 2021 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick Greyhound Stadium harboured all that a classic could wish for with sublime winning performances, fast times, and a fair share of shock eliminations as only Explosive Boy survived what proved a treacherous Saturday on the Dock Road for our local challenge in the prestigious event.
Following victories on opening night, hopes were high for deep runs from both Rackethall Leo and All About Ted but with the latter cruelly bumped out of contention at the opening bend in the concluding heat, that followed a similar fate for Rackethall Leo who made his exit from Heat 2 and he will now continue his career in the UK after his first-round win sparked a sale from his Toomevara kennels.
Favourite in the outright market ahead of Heat 4, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Explosive Boy appeared ideally housed in Trap 1 for a repeat of his blistering 28.08 victory of a week earlier. However, not so swiftly to stride this time, the early paced star was made to work for a share of the lead approaching the first bend, but he did impress when striking the front while turning in close quarters with Ballymac Cashout and Deadly Destroyer. Unable to fully shake off the attentions of the latter, only a half length separated that leading duo to halfway and ceding the lead to Deadly Destroyer at the third bend, Explosive Boy would have his win claims scuppered when significantly checked. Passed on the outside by the fast finishing De Machine, the Guilfoyle favourite lay third to the home straight but with Ballymac Cashout in chase, his resolve held out when securing a qualifying third behind 28.52 winner Deadly Destroyer for Karol Ramsbottom.
The latter was one of only two runners to remain unbeaten ahead of the quarter finals and lays down a big marker in what was a sizzling heat. Fastest of the night while also going back-to-back, Graham Holland’s Fabulous Azurra highlights the open nature of the 2021 renewal and retains realistic claims to become the first female winner of the event having posted a brilliant 28.26.
Explosive Boy will seek to get his campaign back on track this week but with just one seeded racer remaining to quarterfinal stage, and inside runners facing complicated draws for the remainder of the event, our local hope will contest this Saturday’s opening heat from Trap 6!
Never before donning the striped jacket, there is hope that Explosive Boy can cope that wide having twice raced from Trap 5 and scored victory each time. A tough task however, with the likes of Scarty Yank, De Machine and Rural Star for company, Pat Guilfoyle’s hopes of a first Kirby victory will rest on a swift start.
Bob back on track at Thurles
There was a host of local winning performances across the country over past days but having bid farewell to our good friend Michael Nagle last week, we will squeeze in two winners that he would have welcomed greatly as Tom White’s Bob The Lad (Droopys Jet-Liosgarbh Elsa) got back to winning ways at Thurles.
Successful from Trap 1 in A3 grade just two starts back, identical conditions proved perfect once again for the October 2018 whelp as Bob The Lad bravely defended the inside rail having broke just off the pace. Reaching the first bend on the inside of a line of three runners, a smooth gallop to the backstraight saw the Lisatunny charge skip clear to a two-length lead at halfway. Persistently challenged by a strong staying rival thereafter, Bob The Lad retained ample resolve on the run to the line, registering a third career win with a length to spare in 29.53 (-40). Avoiding a rise in grade, he can hold obvious claims for a repeat next time.
An early career winner last August, Eileen Kennedy had seen her Dixies Gold (Laughil Blake-Live Queen) fill second on three occasions before contesting Thursday’s A5 525 at Limerick but doubling her win tally in a facile victory, the Ballinaclough charge advanced to stunning career best performance.
Quickest to stride from Trap 4, the October 2018 whelp established a one length lead on the run to the bend and defending that margin, swept the turn at pace while extending readily clear. Bounding to a five-length advantage at halfway, the John Kennedy trained bitch had reduced the race to virtual procession and holding eight and a half lengths in hand at the line, she posted a brilliant 28.85. This victory will bring a significant rise to A1 next time but with a repeat of her fast break, she may well cope with that upgrade.
The late Michael Nagle
These Covid times are particularly difficult when missing out on seeing many friends for over a year now but not having the opportunity to enjoy the company of Michael Nagle in our midst going forward will be one of the greatest losses that the greyhound community will endure following the passing of our local legend last week.
A confidante to many, and a friend to many more across generations of treasured and closely nurtured friendships in all aspects of greyhound sport, the affectionately nicknamed `Picky` touched many lives as one of the most respected presences within our community.
With a welcoming respect for all who entered his company, Michael had forgotten more about greyhounds than most could ever wish to learn but such was his amiable personality and respectful nature, he entertained all views and opinions from young to old while offering advice at every turn; advice that was keenly heeded and gratefully received by yours truly on many occasions.
With some of his early years in greyhounds spent at Shawfield track in Scotland, Michael was known and will be missed across Ireland and far beyond but no more so than at Thurles and Limerick tracks, and most particularly by his Nenagh Coursing Club where he held a range of influential positions over decades of expert hare husbandry.
A stalwart of a golden generation who shaped a future in racing for all who appear in this column every week, many memories leave this world with Michael but none to outshine warming reflections of his life that will be heart-warmingly revisited time and again.
To his entire family and most particularly his adoring wife Peggy, we extend our deepest of sympathies on the passing of your patriarch, a gentleman in the truest sense. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.