TRAPRISE - Jet claims first Thurles success for Kennedy

Kasko semi-final night at Thurles ultimately proved disappointing for our John Byrne trained hopeful Joyous Hope who was completely baulked out of contention in his semi-final but a warm night of action on Saturday did return a local winner to cheer when Dromulton Jet (Droopys Jet-Kingdom Queen) doubled his win tally for Pat & Mary Kennedy.

A debut winner around Tralee, the July 2019 whelp had been threatening in his latest Thurles outings and took a two-grade hike for his previous third placing at A6 level. Undeterred ahead of Saturday’s A4 525 which did appear a stiff task on upgrade, the Norwood charge greatly impressed when handling his rise with aplomb.

Breaking just off the pace from trap 4, Dromulton Jet battled bravely between runners when securing third place around the opening bends, despite a bump to his outside while turning. Reaching the top of the back-straight with six lengths to recover however, the Kennedy runner had a big task on his paws before making stealthy inroads when eye-catching on the approach to the closing turns. Still third entering the final bend, a sustained effort saw Dromulton Jet draw ever closer on the run to the line and timing his late effort to perfection, struck the front for a thrilling half-length verdict.

Posting 29.62 (-20) in his fifth career start, it would come as little surprise should the lightly raced youngster find further progress in the very near future!

Ranger in rapid form at Limerick

Returning to top form throughout the last month at Limerick, the Mary Ellens Gang Syndicate’s hugely likeable Dolla Ranger (Candlelight King-Cnoc Rosie) is settling on a very pleasing level of consistency and securing a second win from his latest three outings, again sparkled in A2 525 victory on Thursday.

Now only three times outside the tri-cast placings in 16 career starts, the February 2019 whelp was only narrowly denied in A2 last time but back in the same grade over 525 yards, the Pat Steed charge led throughout a fifth race win.

Breaking on level terms from trap 2, Ranger contested between runners throughout the early strides before superior dash on the approach to the corner saw him turn with a one length advantage. Easing clear to a three-length lead by halfway, the Dolla stalwart was not for catching and completing with a cosy two lengths to spare, posted a very smart 28.91 which will offer every chance of a repeat at the same level next time.

Blitz back in Boomtown at Limerick

On that same Limerick card, the evening’s A4 525 delivered a winner of real merit as PJ Ryan’s wonderful veteran Boomtown Blitz (Farloe Blitz-Senahel Bound) gained his first race victory since tuning four years of age back in June.

A true favourite of the Newport kennels, it was approaching twenty months since his latest victory in February of last year and there had been plenty of frustration in the interim with a host of tantalisingly close defeats. Breaking well from trap 6 on Thursday however, the Ryan stalwart set the record straight!

Showing just in front throughout the early stages, he would be challenged for the lead around the opening turns when obliged to chart the widest route. Gamely forging a one length lead entering the back-straight however, a sweeping gallop into the closing bends settled the verdict and streaking clear to possibly the most deserved victory of the season, Boomtown Blitz held a four-length advantage at the line when posting 29.33.

Staying in the same grade, the wonderful veteran racer can hold every claim to supplement this eighth career win next time.

Rounding off the local winning action on Saturday, a long trip to Dundalk proved fruitful for young Sean Hackett’s Port West Prince (Ballymac Best-Port West Pop) as the February 2020 whelp found marked improvement in his sixth career start.

Twice a winner over the sprint trip at Clonmel at the outset of his career, the PJ Tynan trained pup had struggled for clear racing room in his latest 525 outings but breaking more adeptly on Saturday, the Ballinderry charge dominated once leading on the short run to the opening bend. A one length lead while turning quickly extended on the run to halfway and Port West Prince had reached his four and a half length winning margin at the closing bends. Displaying ample resolve in the latter stages, the Tynan prospect posted a slick 28.81 and is clearly a pup to follow closely in his upgrade to A1 next time.

New lead is racing novice

Cutting his term short by three years, Ger Dollard has now departed his role as CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland and filling the position from January will be Dearbhla O'Brien having been selected by the board last week.

The outgoing CEO leaves with little fanfare and while he enjoyed a share of industry support over the course of four years, his tenure was largely viewed by participants as dispassionate, and impersonal paint-by-numbers box-ticking.

Following the initial announcement of Mr. Dollard’s resignation there had been repeated calls from industry groups for an appointee with some degree of experience in the greyhound sector.

In a statement, the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation had implored the board to “not put another square peg in a round hole” while stating that it was “of vital importance that first-hand experience of greyhound racing, and above all, a passion for the sport, be an essential prerequisite for any future candidate.”

The grass roots have not got their wish in that regard for described as a seasoned CEO, Dearbhla O’Brien is the former Managing Director and CEO of USIT before establishing Workandtravel.ie in 2019, but, has no experience of the greyhound racing sector.

Announcing Ms. O'Brien’s appointment, Frank Nyhan, Chairperson of the Board of GRI, said, “Dearbhla's organisational values, vision, communication skills, and commercial knowledge make her an excellent choice for CEO as we look to build on the significant progress made in several key areas following a difficult operating environment brought about by the pandemic.”

The Chairperson’s enthusiasm is not initially reciprocated amongst owners’ groups, however, with a large degree of dismay at another appointment without industry specific experience. A passionate core will await her custodianship with trepidation while, for now at least, remaining another in a line of executives who pull the strings while never holding a lead!