TRAPRISE - Dolla recruit secures Expert maiden victory at Limerick
Commencing a busy Saturday of action for a host of local challengers around the tracks of Ireland, the opening contest at Limerick Greyhound Stadium introduced a new recruit to the winner’s circle and leaving a pleasing impression in his maiden victory, the Mary Ellens Gang Syndicate’s Dolla Expert (Skywalker Canny-Cnoc Rosie) claimed A5 victory over 525-yards in truly game fashion.
Very lightly raced as a November 2021 whelp, the Pat Steed charge had just a brace of outings before a five-month layoff when making his return while third in a mid-April outing at the same level but clearly progressing for that comeback effort while afforded ample time ahead of Saturday's fourth career start, Dolla Expert secured his first race win with an improved start from trap 6.
Immediately contesting the lead throughout the early exchanges, the Steed winner would cede advantage to a rails-running rival around the opening bends and had a task on his paws when three lengths adrift on the run to halfway. Still with that same margin to claw back at the crown of the closing turns, Dolla Expert revealed strong staying qualities over the standard distance when readily reducing the margin on the run to the home stretch. Swinging wide into the straight, Dolla Expert powered his way past the long-time leader and easing clear in dismissive fashion on the run to the line, posted 29.22 in an ultimately cosy two-length verdict.
Taking a rise to A3 next time, the upgrade can prove within range for a runner who is highly likely to find further progress given his very lightly raced profile.
Staying with that same Saturday fixture at Limerick, local supporters who stayed for the conclusion of the card gained reward in the Getting Out D2 750 when the O-L Syndicate’s hugely likeable Whats Up Jack (Candlelight King-Balance Sheet) ended a frustrating spell away from the winner’s enclosure with a thrilling eleventh career success.
A kennel stalwart for Padraig O’Lone, the September 2019 whelp had registered a host of smart placed efforts since his latest victory over four-bends but returned to the staying trip for a just a second time last weekend and took a step back towards his wonderful Open class best.
Breaking on level terms from trap 3, the Roscrea charge showed the best early dash for a two-length lead at the finish line on the first circuit and readily extended that advantage when over six lengths clear beyond halfway. However, he would come under significant pressure in the closing stages as a strong staying rival closed with every stride in the home straight but retaining just enough resolve for a shorthead verdict, Whats Up Jack posted 42.26 in a thriller!
Back on the bunny and back to winning ways, it would come as no surprise should he back-up this performance with renewed confidence next time out.
Undisputed and Cornetto progress in Irish Oaks
The second-round heats of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks 525 went ahead at Shelbourne Park on Saturday and though the session passed without a local heat winner to cheer, trainer Pat Guilfoyle will be very pleased with both Undisputed and Cornetto who safely progressed to quarterfinal stage with game placed performances.
Fastest in the opening round of the classic with a stunning 28.20 victory a week earlier, Undisputed (Pestana-Unlock Unlock) was a warm favourite for Heat 6 and disputed the early lead following a smart break from trap 3.
Edging inwards along the run to the opening bend, the Guilfoyle star was matched to the corner by Crafty Shivoo before narrowly headed to the backstraight. Joining that rival on the outside at halfway, Undisputed briefly led before each had their momentum checked with a brush around the closing bends and from that point a movement wide would ultimately cost Undisputed her victory. However, a brilliant buckle reached the line with Crafty Shivoo holding a shorthead over Undisputed in a bump affected time of 28.41.
The concluding heat of eight provided a second quarter finalist for the Moneygall kennels when Cornetto (Laughil Blake-Love Honey) followed her opening round 28.84 victory with a wonderful effort to secure third following a missed break from trap 3 behind 28.41 winner Threesixfive.
In a heat which brought the elimination of Courty Girl having failed to secure crucial early position from her trap 5 berth before ushered wide around the turns by rivals to her inside, a contrasting rails-run behind rivals saw Cornetto advance to third at the second bend before greatly impressing with backstraight pace to lie second behind the winner beyond halfway. The Guilfoyle charge would cede second spot to the fast finish of Scooby Duchess nearing the line but nonetheless impressed in her three-length defeat.
On a busy weekend for the Guilfoyle kennels, a double-handed approach to the Deadly Kennels Open 750 Stake at Cork saw both Magical Mary (Droopys Jet-Mystical Moll) and All About Annie (All About Ya-Enable) progress from their respective opening round heats with pleasing runner-up performances and will contest the same semi-final this Saturday at Curraheen Park. With both well drawn on the flanks, Magical Mary’s trap 1 draw swings the vote in her favour but there remain highly plausible claims that both can fill qualifying places.
STEVE PREVAILS IN A CLONMEL THRILLER
Concluding the weekend winning action at Clonmel on Sunday, Eddie Ryan’s Moneygall Steve (Droopys Sydney-Bull Run Beam) shed his maiden tag at the sixth time of asking while also advancing to the next round of competition with a thrilling victory in the quarterfinals of the GRI Spring A5 Guys & Dolls 525 Stake.
Having repeatedly caught the eye with strong running placed efforts to commence his career, the lightly raced March 2021 whelp opened his account in the event when third on his Clonmel debut a week earlier and in truth, looked booked for a similar placed finish at best when last throughout the early stages following a tardy start on Sunday.
Losing further ground when checked behind his fifth placed rival at the opening bend, the Ryan charge was out with the proverbial washing at the second bend. With at least a dozen lengths to recover upon reaching the backstraight, Moneygall Steve again produced an eye-catching turn of foot to pass rivals and though advancing to third, still had half that deficit to claw back at the third bend before closing further on the approach to the home straight. Maintaining a powerful gallop to the line, a remarkable recovery saw the Ryan winner secure victory in the dying strides with a shorthead to spare in 29.40 (-20).
Just the fastest of the heats, his semi-final this Sunday will again make for compelling viewing!