TRAPRISE - Joeys Lads in hot form through cold snap

Following a week of freezing temperatures which greatly affected the racing schedule over last weekend, the highest profile postponement was that of the 2022 Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger Final meeting at Limerick Greyhound Stadium which was due to be contested on Saturday evening.

Rescheduled for this Sunday with a first race at 6:30pm, weather permitting of course, the final classic of the season will see the Pat Guilfoyle trained Wi Can Dream in trap 2 as he bids to deliver a second St Leger title for the Moneygall kennels.

Postponements aside, there remained much to entertain over the past week and avoiding the harshest weather conditions, Galway enjoyed a full schedule where Thursday’s fixture featured the final of the Xmas Bundles A4 525 Final and a kennel in sizzling form, the Joeys Lads Syndicate’s Joeys Girl (Droopys Sydney-My Heaton Daisy) completed her sweepstake passage without defeat for handler Robert Moloney.

With promise shown in her short career start before registering a first race victory in the opening round of the 18-runner event, the March 2021 pup progressed to a very smart 29.11 (-10) while going back-to-back at semi stage. Short odds to confirm the form of that fastest heat win from trap 2 in Thursday’s final, the Roscrea prospect made no mistake when again swift to stride and displaying her impressive early dash, immediately took command of the €900 decider.

Forging a clear one length advantage at the opening bend, the Moloney favourite headed her closest semi-final rival by that same margin to halfway as the leading pair served up a thoroughly entertaining buckle. However, dictating her own racing line throughout, Joeys Girl was never for catching while displaying ample resolve beyond halfway and striking the line with a length and a half to spare, she posted 29.36 while completing a sweepstake hattrick.

Obliged to tackle A2 company in search of a four-timer in her next outing, early pace will prove a potent weapon as she rises through the grades and Joeys Girl is an early conscript to the runners to follow shortlist for 2023!

Connections will have been brimming with confidence ahead of that Galway victory for the week had already begun in winning form with the kennel’s litter comrade Johnny Escaped (Droopys Sydney-My Heaton Daisy) making a highly pleasing debut at Limerick on Monday.

Smart qualifying trials preceded his trap 3 draw for the Tote ON2 525 and once breaking on level terms, the Roscrea pup showed all the early dash of his sister. Gradually extending to a near two length lead at the opening bend, that effort effectively ended the race as a contest as the Moloney winner drew further clear to halfway. Impressive along the backstraight, Johnny Escaped had reached his eight and a half length winning margin at the closing bends before completing a slick debut performance in 29.49.

On a cold Monday evening with the track certainly not on the fast side, that winning time can most likely be marked up a touch and clearly a member of a promising litter, Johnny Escaped is another to follow closely over the coming weeks and months.

Further Hope for Abigail

Returning to Galway for Friday’s fixture, young Abigail Morrissey secured some early Christmas cheer as her Abigails Hope (Premier Fantasy-Geelo Lulu) bounced back near her best form to land victory in Friday’s A2 575 contest.

Last successful in A4 company, the likeable November 2020 youngster was beginning to get to grips with her A2 grade last time out when a close-up second over 550 yards. Always likely to appreciate extended four-bend distances, a further step to Friday’s trip proved ideal as the Cloughjordan charge found a smart start from her ideal trap 1 berth.

With a narrow lead throughout the initial exchanges, the Morrissey winner gamely defended her rails position on the long run to the first bend and once turning with her head in front, she eased further clear to the backstraight. Confirming the suspicion that the 575-yards would indeed suit well, Abigails Hope duly maintained a powerful gallop beyond that point and hit the line with a cosy three and a half lengths to spare in her third career success. Remaining in the same grade for her next outing, she can hold every chance of going back-to-back.

That same Friday meeting at Galway was due to house the opening round heats of the Vincent McKenna sponsored A3 575 Yard Paul McKenna Memorial Stake but a trap malfunction saw just one of four heats contested. However, that sole heat did return a local forecast when the Middle Aisle Syndicate’s Oaklands Lad (Pat C Sabbath-Killeen Princess) led home Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Mystery (Belles Direction-Geelo Lu Lu).

The PJ Tynan trained winner led throughout a very smart third career win when repelling the strong staying runner-up by three and a half lengths in a highly pleasing 31.93 (-20) and we will chart the progress of both Oaklands Lad and Abigails Mystery in coming issues as the event continues over the Christmas period.

The late John Kenny

It was with great sadness that the greyhound community learned of the passing of Borrisoleigh’s John Kenny over last weekend. A member of a famed greyhound family, John was immensely revered throughout the entire sport and counted as a friend by generations who shared his company on the tracks of Ireland.

A sage in every aspect of greyhound care, John and family enjoyed enviable success with classic victory through Gunboat Jeff in the 1992 Irish Cesarewitch, while also breeding the 1995 Irish Oaks winner Cool Survivor amidst a plethora of noteworthy accomplishments.

All within our greyhound fraternity will join us in offering our sincerest condolences to his son Sean, brothers Joe and Brendan, sister Geraldine, Aunt Claire, his extended family, and legion of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.