TRAPRISE - Arabella leaves rivals Rueful in 600 final at Limerick

On a hugely busy weekend for local kennels across Ireland, the final of the Talking Dogs A3 600 was the feature event of the Saturday action at Limerick and following her most game semi winning performance a week earlier, David Moloney’s Arabella Rue (Good News-Lilly Lula) converted her final opportunity in dominant style for trainer John Byrne.

Having just her sixth career start, the 33.10 heat winner was swifter to stride from trap 5 this time and showing the best dash while widest of five inside seeds, forged a half-length lead approaching the opening bend. Turning with command of the rails before extending to the top of the backstraight, the Byrne charge greatly impressed on the run to the closing bends and never for catching, saw out every yard of the extended trip for a two and a half-length winning margin while posting a smart 32.80.

Highlighting on a successful weekend for her Knockalton kennels which included a third win of the season for Knockalton Conor in his A4 525 event at Thurles, this final victory represents a wonderful career start for Arabella Rue in just her sixth outing and though rising to A1 going forward, can ably cope with the rise given her current upward trajectory.

Magic can lead All in Newbridge decider

A number of local challengers will contest for final honours at various venues again this coming weekend and chief among them will be William Rigney’s smart prospect All About Magic (Kinloch Brae-Newinn Willow) as he safely negotiated a path to the final of the Friends of Newbridge A1 550 Derby on Friday.

Advancing to a fastest quarterfinal win in 30.04 on the previous weekend, the Owen McKenna trained May 2021 whelp was made to settle for second this week but will have greatly pleased all connected when chasing home Lightfoot Impact at a two-length deficit having encountered significant bumping when just failing to lead at the opening bend following a moderate start from trap 3.

Appearing held in a poor fourth approaching the closing bends, All About Magic saw out the trip in admirably strong fashion and will remain a big final player despite ceding a two and a half-length victory to Lightfoot Impact in 30.34. Better drawn in trap 2 for this coming Friday’s final, the Rigney charge gets the vote for victory while expected to command the rails in front rank throughout.

Staying at Newbridge, the Track Supporters Club A6 525 saw James Treacy’s Montore Phill (Ardnasool Jet-Montore Sally) turn his attentions to the Kildare venue for a first spin at the circuit and appealingly graded, duly claimed semi-final victory in typically early paced fashion.

Well housed in trap 1, the May 2020 whelp eased his way to a two-length lead at the opening bend before doubling that advantage to halfway. Ceding minor ground to strong running rivals late on, the Treacy stalwart posted 29.42 in a two-length score and highly capable of turning in front come Friday’s final showdown, can hold every chance for a repeat!

Mary has a Magical gift

Following a luckless outing in her novice 730-yard final at Waterford last time, Pat & Alice Guilfoyle’s Magical Mary (Droopys Jet-Mystical Moll) shed her maiden tag over six bends at Shelbourne Park on Friday and if it were needed, announced her designs on all upcoming major staying events with a brilliant performance to land the Retired Greyhound Trust D2 750 in powerful fashion.

Breaking on level terms from trap 4, the classic winning March 2020 whelp filled fourth around the opening bends while crowding with rivals to her inside before reaching the home straight on the first circuit with a strong three lengths to recover on pacesetter Tinnock Sydlee. Checked slightly at the third bend, the Guilfoyle star finally overhauled the leader entering the fifth turn and powering clear in dismissive fashion, registered a five-length winning verdict in a brilliant 41.74.

The 2022 Cesarewitch champion has still not secured clear passage in her three attempts at six-bend racing and the manner of Friday’s victory more than hints that there are further special moments ahead for one of the most gifted bitches to ever grace the sport.

Guilfoyle recruit the Undisputed Oaks fastest

Saturday also brought the commencement of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks 525 and in a perfect start while seeking a second victory in the sport’s most prestigious classic for bitches, Pat Guilfoyle guided the Wayne McCarthy & Paul Prendergast owned Undisputed (Pestana-Unlock Unlock) to a sizzling fastest performance of the opening round at Shelbourne Park.

With some sparkling returns in her early career, the new recruit to the Moneygall kennels was back in action following a five-month layoff for Heat 7 of the Oaks but presenting in sparkling form, made a swift exit from trap 1 before dominating a high-class field while leading throughout a six-length defeat of dual classic winner Bobsleigh Dream in a stunning 28.20! This Oaks campaign remains a big ask following her racing sabbatical but Undisputed can clearly retain viable aspirations for outright victory under genius guidance.

The first round of the Oaks had already gotten off to a flying start for our local challenge and Pat Guilfoyle will have been pleased to see Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Cornetto (Laughil Blake-Love Honey) make her return to winning ways in Heat 6 but equally pleasing in the race was the presence of John Meelam’s Courty Girl (Laughil Blake-Killaheen Queen) on her tail approaching the line.

It was the latter John Byrne stalwart who made the best start from trap 5 but she would find her local rival challenging for the lead on the inside while rounding the opening bends in tight quarters with Dapper Rose for company. However, the friendly local rivals held strong through crowding to occupy the forecast positions from the second bend with Cornetto repelling the persistent attentions of Courty Girl by a length and a half in 28.84 and both will hold strong claims to progress from this coming Saturday’s second round heats.

Tipp Star shines at Limerick

Tipperary Hurling Manager Liam Cahill recognises talent when presented to him and heading the Premier Rebel Syndicate in ownership of Swizz Star (Dorotas Wildcat-Clongeel Mills), may well have as exciting a prospect as any who swing the ash under his tutelage following a stunning maiden victory in A2 company over 525-yards at Limerick on Saturday.

Having very much caught the eye in a brace of novice outings at Shelbourne Park, a first clear run in his third career start saw the Pat Guilfoyle trained August 2021 whelp suitably housed in trap 6 and breaking just behind the early pace, he showed the best dash to round rivals while sweeping the corner. Bounding clear thereafter, Swizz Star had the verdict settled as a contest before reaching halfway and his race against the clock concluded in a brilliant 28.31 with six lengths to spare.

A timely boost ahead of Liam Cahill’s managerial assignment on Sunday, expect to hear much more of Cahill’s canine star over the coming weeks and months.