TRAPRISE - Court ruling ensures a Thurles draw for Power
Admission to the greyhound tracks around Ireland was free last weekend as part of the Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile initiative, remembering those from the racing fraternity who have gone to their eternal rest during a pandemic which has distanced so many friends and participants for the past two seasons.
Attendance made for poignant reflection within our local greyhound community at many venues and no more so than at Thurles, where a dead heat in the final of the Errill Schooling Track A3 525 Yard Stake, involving a brace of our youngest local kennels, seemed entirely fitting while building on a legacy left for them by the very friends whose images hung on a Remembrance Tree to mark Saturday’s fixture.
A semi-final winner in the event, Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Power took leading claims to the final of an event which is sponsored his young owner’s granddad but, in a bid to go one better than her semi-final second, it was John Meelam’s Courty Girl who put the pace to the race when swift to stride from trap 6. The latter John Byrne trained early pacer just cleared the Morrissey charge when sweeping into the opening turn before stretching to a two and a half length lead at the top of the backstraight. Certain to pose a threat in the latter half of the race from such a position, Abigails Power duly narrowed the gap on the approach to the closing bends but matching that move, opposing semi-final winner Dysert Sonia ensured a three-way battle for the lead before entering the home stretch. Straightening for the line, Courty Girl still held the call but flanked by a brace of strong finishers, a scramble for the line saw the margins reduce with each stride and flashing past the post, it appeared that her brave effort may have been scuppered by Abigails Power as the clock flashed up a fast 29.22 (-20).
An agonising wait for the result of a three-way photo ultimately disappointed none for all three were deemed to have struck the line in unison. A thrilling race, both Abigails Power and Courty Girl will rise to A2 for their next outing and likely to meet again before too long, can continue to entertain in their contrasting, but equally admirable racing styles.
Showman bows out of Leger
The 2021 Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger continued at Limerick on Saturday with four quarter finals, but the opening heat would bring a disappointing elimination for Sean Kenny’s Gunboat Showman as third bend crowding ended his qualifying challenge behind 29.54 winner Deerjet Sydney for Pat Buckley.
Stealing the show once again on Saturday was a brace of youngsters from the Graham Holland kennels as Russian Glory remained unbeaten with a classy 29.44 after his companion Part Blake further extended his rapid rise to the upper echelons of racing, posting a stunning 29.24 for the 550-yards in a four-length defeat of Boylesportsbingo.
The St Leger continues with two exciting semi-finals this coming Saturday and despite the presence of Ballymac Wild, as part of a three-handed challenge from the kennels of Liam Dowling to his immediate right, Part Blake again looks the part in the opener while a pitch on the right-hand side of Deerjet Sydney from trap 4 looks ideal for Russian Glory to also remain unbeaten in the second semi-final.
There was a victory to spark local cheer on Saturday at Limerick and away from the St Leger action, John Byrne & Dominic O’Brien’s Knockalton King (Good News-Newlawn Minnie) secured a second win from his last three outings, and in truly thrilling fashion.
On a busy and successful night for the Byrne kennels, Knockalton King broke just off the pace from trap 6 and lacking a touch of early pace at the standard 525 trip, trailed his A2 rivals when reaching the opening turn in last position on the outside of the field. Crucially remaining within six lengths to the top of the backstraight however, the October 2018 whelp began to close approaching the final bends despite still having all rivals in his eye-line.
With a host of smart form at longer distances, Knockalton King was certain to stay strongly and duly making further inroads, had just three rivals to pass when reaching the home stretch with over two lengths to recover.
With an unlikely victory now a possibility, the Byrne powerhouse drew ever closer on the run to the line and joining a brace of early leaders in the dying strides, ensured a three-way photo to decide the outcome.
Earning a thrilling neck verdict in 29.15, Knockalton King was registering his fourth career win and eligible to contest in the same grade next time, can extend his current run of good form yet further while retaining much scope to step back up in trip.