TRAPRISE - Dream becomes reality in deferred St Leger Final

The 2022 Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger drew the attention of an entire greyhound world on Sunday and completing a near flawless classic campaign, Willie Joe Murphy’s Bobsleigh Dream (Droopys Sydney-Bobsleigh Jet) justified favouritism in a remarkable final performance at Limerick.

A track record breaker over 570-yards at Tralee in the early season, the Pat Buckley starlet confirmed her four-bend versatility when claiming the Tipperary Cup at Thurles over 525-yards back in August and relishing the Dock Road circuit in the St Leger, suffered just a sole heat defeat on her way to Sunday’s €30,000 showdown.

Headed throughout the early stages however, her hopes appeared forlorn when clashing with Trinity Junior at the second bend as her tight two-length deficit to pacesetter Mustang Jet grew significantly before halfway. The final could, and probably should, have been over at that point as the leader held every inch of an eight-length advantage but gathering her stride beyond halfway, Pat Buckley’s astounding Bobsleigh Dream ran down Mustang Jet in a dismissive display of superiority for a three-quarter length verdict in 29.84.

Not producing his customary smart start, the hopes of Pat Guilfoyle’s Wi Can Dream were all but sealed when last at the opening bend but to his immense credit, the Moneygall charge battled his way to duel for second at halfway before checked by the winner at the third bend, eventually settling for a gallant fourth placing.

There was better fortune on the night for the kennels, however, as Alice & Pat’s Magical Mary (Droopys Jet-Mystical Moll) bounced back to winning ways in the night’s AA0 600 Yard event.

Out of luck in the main event when exiting at quarterfinal stage, the prodigious talent dominated throughout a one and a half length defeat of Bens Teddy in a sharp 32.40.

Another score for Montore

A very busy weekend for local challengers around the country commenced on Thursday at Limerick where James Treacy’s hugely likeable Montore Phill (Ardnasool Jet-Montore Sally) claimed the eighth win of his career when bouncing back from a brace of indifferent efforts to lead throughout his A3 525-yard contest.

Last successful in A5 grade only last month, the May 2020 whelp got to grips with a subsequent rise this time when back to his best breaking form from a suitable trap 2 berth. Always blessed with smart early pace, the Treacy stalwart galloped his way to a tight first bend lead while securing command of the rails and turning at pace, extended to a two-length advantage at the top of the backstraight. Defending his lead when denying his closest pursuer a gap on the inside while sweeping the third bend, Montore Phil displayed ample resolve in the home stretch thereafter.

Posting 29.62 (-20) with a length and a half to spare on a cold night at the Dock Road venue, he will remain in his career high level next time where possibly only a reproduction of his smart break may suffice a repeat victory!

Hogan heads local challenge in Galway finals

A host of sweepstakes have entertained over recent weeks at Galway and culminating with a night of finals on Thursday of this week, a significant challenge across various grades sees many of our local kennels with hopes of securing Christmas bonuses with the Lorrha kennels of Michael Hogan contesting on two fronts following a wonderful session of action last Friday.

Commencing a busy evening while sparking a winning double was April 2021 pup Grangeview Liz (Ballymac Best-Grangeview West) as she displayed pleasing progression for her debut experience when a facile winner of the S7 350.

Quick to stride from trap 2, she immediately outpaced her rivals when three lengths clear before even reaching full stride. Continuing to draw further away throughout a dominant seven and a half-length score, Grangeview Liz posted 19.58 (-15) and will only take a small rise to S6 next time. A more visually impressive performance than the clock suggested, she should not be opposed next time out!

Next up, Grangeview Port (Grangeview Ten-Blastoff Khalesi) entered the sweepstake action for the first semi-final in the Stephen Murray Top Kennel 2022 A3 525 and claimed his fifth career win in cosy fashion.

Last successful in A2 grade, a highly plausible opportunity was converted despite being forced to contest in tight quarters having broke behind the pace from trap 3. Ranging up on the tail of the leaders, the August 2020 whelp took bumps from both sides before gamely battling his way to second at the top of the backstraight. Greatly impressing while striking the front on the approach to the closing bends, Grangeview Port ran out a strong running four and a half length winner in 30.02 (-30) but that time can be marked up somewhat given the early bumping and he can hold every chance in Thursday’s final.

Joining him on finals night, Grangeview Lolo (Ballymac Best-Grangeview West) added to a successful Friday for the Hogan kennels when backing-up her first round 29.29 (-10) victory in the 2022 WGOBA Sean Scully Memorial with a pleasing but complicated passage through her semi-final.

Repeatedly finding her path blocked having been headed to the opening bend, the April 2021 pup nonetheless caught the eye throughout a one and three-quarter length defeat in 29.83 (-30) and fastest of the event with that opening round performance, remains a strong selection for victory in Thursday’s final.

Onto Saturday at Galway, and there was further semi-final success when firstly, the Abigails Syndicate’s Abigails Chance (Grangeview Ten-Clever Princess) claimed the first victory of her short career at the third time of asking in the WGOBA Christmas Draw A6 525 Stake.

Third in each of her previous outings, the April 2021 pup broke behind the pace from trap 3 but battling bravely in tight quarters, secured a challenging third while rounding the opening turns. Two lengths adrift on the run to halfway, the Morrissey winner would have her path blocked at the third bend but rallying in laudable fashion, again negated a two-length deficit when striking the front in the shadow of the post for a neck verdict in 29.78 (-30). Open to much improvement, she will be tough to contain if securing clear passage in Thursday’s final.

The Morrissey kennels will also send out Abigails Power (Belles Direction-Geelo Lu Lu) for a final challenge in the Paul Burke - Top Kennel 2022 A2 525 after he chased home John Moloney’s Joeys Champ (Kinloch Brae-Mt Heaton Daisy) in their semi clash. Leading from the opening bend, the latter earned the bragging rights for Roscrea ahead of the final with a three and a half length verdict in a smart 29.20 (-30).

Another to advance to the next round of competition over last weekend was John Meelam’s Courty Girl (Laughil Blake-Killaheen Queen) who having backed-up opening round victory with a pleasing second place finish in the last 48 of the A1 Dublin Cup 525, got back to winning ways in Friday’s quarter finals.

Always front rank following a smart break from trap 4, the John Byrne trained kennel favourite forced her way to the lead at the closing bends of a tight heat before securing a most game half-length victory in a 29.07 thriller, and she remains a big player in the prestigious event ahead of this week’s semi-finals.