TRAPRISE - Lucas leads way in novice semi’s at Curraheen

On a very busy racing schedule over last weekend with packed venues for festive celebration around the country, a host of local challengers advanced to the next stage of competition but taking arguably the greatest final winning claims into this coming weekend will be Brendan Kenny’s Lucas Group (Ballymac Wild-Group Supergem) following a highly impressive debut victory at Curraheen Park.

Contesting the 12-runner Talking Dogs ON3 525 Stake at the Cork venue, the June 2022 whelp stepped up from his qualifying trials despite a tardy start from his trap 4 draw. Trailing all bar one rival on the run to the bend, the Borrisoleigh pup battled bravely through bumping and despite ushered wide at the opening bend, progressed to a share of third at the top of the backstraight. Rapidly overturning a two-length deficit from that point, Lucas Group displayed much the best pace on the approach to the closing bends and having struck the front before turning, galloped dismissively clear to a six-length winning margin in 29.49.

That winning time will see the Kenny recruit assured of favouritism for this Thursday’s final where he will exit trap 4 and on the evidence of his eye-catching debut performance, Lucas Group looks impossible to oppose with significant improvement imminent!

A penultimate meeting of 2023 at Thurles took place on Saturday and taking the opportunity for an overdue second career victory while bouncing back near her very best form, Aoibhe Murphy’s Ballybrack Skye (Skywalker Logan-Snow Acorn) dominated the www.grireland.ie A4 525.

A previous A4 winner at Limerick, the April 2021 whelp made a first appearance on the Premier circuit when an eye-catching second in the same grade last time out and building on that experience, produced an admirable turn of early pace to secure a first bend lead despite slow to stride from trap 4. Advancing to dispute for early supremacy between rivals on the approach to the corner, the Roscrea charge secured command of the rail while turning before scampering clear to the backstraight. Reaching her three and a half length winning margin by halfway, Ballybrack Skye completed her fifteenth career outing in comfortable winning fashion, posting 29.24 (-20). Returning to her career high mark of A2 next time, a repeat of this performance can see her ably handle the upgrade.

Staying with the Saturday action, the weekend programme at Galway concluded with a local forecast in the Fonez Slan Abhaile A2 525 and it was the Vincent McKenna trained Aulton Lucy (Pat C Sabbath-Portumna West) who extended her recent purple patch with a third win from her latest four outings while containing the strong staying effort of Moneygall Jack.

Advancing through the grades in recent months, the Pat Hogan owned June 2021 whelp ably coped on her rise to A2 when a good second last time and fully conquering the grade on Saturday, began on level terms from trap 2 before smart early dash saw her secure command of the rails before tackling the opening bend on the inside of a fellow sharp rival. Last at that point, Eddie Ryan’s Moneygall Jack appeared well out of contention when all of six lengths adrift at the crown of the bends while the McKenna winner was getting the upper hand in her tussle for the lead. Defending a narrow advantage all along the backstraight within a tight and highly entertaining contest, Aulton Lucy eventually began to shake off persistent attentions when easing clear off the final turn while in behind, Moneygall Jack (Droopys Sydney-Bull Run Beam) was picking off rivals in a powerful march to runner-up position close home. Striking the line in a smart 29.29 (-10), Aulton Lucy held two lengths over her strong staying local rival in what was her sixth career win.

Avoiding an upgrade, the Borrisokane winner will hold obvious claims to further extend her impressive recent figures over the festive period and with an ease to A3, Moneygall Jack will prove a tough rival to contain while relishing the downgrade next time.

With further local challengers advancing to the next round of competition, a final which will draw much attention while offering timely festive reward at Limerick on Friday is the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 Stake where both Chapelstreetlady and Skirk Gem can feature prominently in has proven a very hot event for the advertised grade.

Both were made to settle for places in Saturday’s semi-finals where Terence Delaney’s Chapelstreetlady (Grangeview Ten-Ballybrack Lexi) chased home the competition’s fastest winner at a six-length deficit in 28.50. That John Byrne trained challenger had Christopher Delaney’s 28.83 opening round winner Skirk Gem (Droopys Sydney-Oldburrin Diva) three lengths behind while third in the same semi and though they have form to find ahead of Friday’s final decider, both possess an early paced threat to their latest conqueror and hold realistic final claims if preventing that rival from leading this time.

The late Chris Fitzgerald

It was with great sadness that the greyhound fraternity received news of the passing of Chris Fitzgerald, Roscrea, late last week.

Amongst the most endearing characters on the local racing scene, the affectionately nicknamed “Strawman” was known to all as amongst the shrewdest to ever hold a lead. Rarely the loudest voice but often the wisest, his guidance aided the rise of son Christopher Delaney to his mantle as one of the most exciting young trainers in racing while both revelled within the career of their recently retired superstar Rosbirr Ranger, whose career as one the most prolific sprinting stars of all time marked the family kennels amongst the most capable in the sport.

To his daughter Martina, son Christopher and his wife Katie, relatives, and myriad of friends, we extend our sincerest condolences. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.