Son is super in 550 victory at Limerick

TRAPRISE

Another very busy week on the local racing scene returned a host of laudable performances around the country but a glittering highlight was the victory of George Rowan & Eoghan Mulcahy’s Sonofardcroney (King Sheeran-Knockmitten Bawn) while further cementing his place in Open class company with a stunning victory in the Book A Fundraiser @ Limerick Open 550.

Having reached the elite AA0 grade with victory over the same trip back in June, the John Byrne trained September 2024 whelp claimed his first victory at the top level with 525-yard victory in a brilliant 28.26 at Limerick in August. Held with a slow start last time out, Sonofardcroney was back to his sharp ways on Saturday and swifter to stride from his ideal trap 1 draw, immediately contested for the lead on the run to the opening bend.

Marginally headed to the corner by an early paced Doonmore Dream to his outside, the Byrne kennel star nonetheless defended the rails and, on that rival’s hind quarters to the top of the backstraight, negated three quarter length arrears with superior pace on the approach to the closing bends. Striking the front upon turning, Sonofardcroney readily settled the verdict when drawing dismissively clear to a five-length winning margin, registering a career best when stopping the clock in a classy 29.51.

A race distance which ideally suits his strong running abilities, connections will likely have eyes on the upcoming Irish St Leger at the Treaty venue.

Eloise is Magical in Kennedy Cup Final

Staying at Limerick and feature of that Saturday fixture was a €3,000 showdown for the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup A3 525 Yard Stake and claiming victory while further impressing with recent smart progression was Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Eloise (Signet Ace-Burgess Sarah).

A first-round winner in the event when staying stoutly in 28.45, the September 2024 whelp was contained at the semi-final stage when missing her break and was again slow to stride from trap 6 in the final. Pacing up well on the outside of runners however, the Guilfoyle youngster ably absorbed a bump while turning and rounding rivals on the approach to the backstraight, was within two lengths of an early paced leader at the crown of the turns. Quickly rushing up to dispute the lead at the top of the backstraight, Magical Eloise emphatically stamped her authority on the race from that point, confirming strong staying abilities while extending readily clear. Striking the line with a facile nine lengths in hand, the Guilfoyle youngster posted 28.48 and will join her array of kennel companions in the upper echelons of the sport going forward.

Jet in Laurels Final?

At time of press, we do not yet know if Donal & Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Jet (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) will contest the final of this Saturday’s 2026 BAR 1 Betting Irish Greyhound Laurels.

Having admirably battled his way to a dead-heat share of second place in his semi-final, the Moneygall hopeful must now win a Tuesday run-off versus his photo-finish rival Ballycowen Moon for a precious place in the Cork classic showdown.

Having overhauled Microchip for quarterfinal victory in the event, that early paced rival proved a stumbling block in last Saturday’s qualifier which only afforded two qualifying places from the three semi-final heats.

Inconvenienced behind that latter speedster while tracking leaders to the opening bends, it was a third bend brush when seeking to round that same opponent which ultimately cost Jet a more straightforward advancement.

In terms of the run-off, this commentator strongly fancies Magical Jet to advance while expected to lead Ballycowen Moon with control of the rails in the early exchanges.

The latter is a strong stayer but once on the bunny, Magical Jet should not be for passing. There will be no final draw until after Tuesday’s tiebreaker, and an extra outing than his final rivals is far from ideal. However, we have learned that little is beyond the Moneygall kennels and Jet will be a big final player if he has managed to secure his place yesterday?!

A final that the kennels will definitely contest this week is in the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmakers Open 600 at Shelbourne Park and following his remarkable opening round victory, Sandra Guilfoyle’s Waitingforastar (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) did indeed produce a special run when finding a better break in his semi-final on Saturday.

Leading to the opening bend, the Derby semi-finalist led throughout while posting a sizzling 31.88, the fastest of the semis and one more adept break this coming Saturday can see him land the €7500 showdown.

Dream start in TIME A3 for Rigney

Rathcabbin’s Wiliam Rigney enjoyed a hugely successful evening at Kilkenny when claiming a double in the opening round heats of the self-sponsored TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3 525 Yard Stake as firstly, Wilkies Dream (Sober Glory-Sober Pearl) landed the opener in a fastest of the round performance.

Owned in partnership with Keith Allsop, the Karol Ramsbottom trained December 2024 whelp was having just his third career outing and progressing for a brace of novice outings, found an improved start to just about lead throughout. Breaking on terms from trap 3, Wilkies Dream took a narrow lead to the opening bend and always holding the call from that point, completed with a length to spare in a smart 29.29 (-40), which will bring an upgrade to at least A1 upon completion of the competition.

With more experience on his side, the double was completed in following heat as Shane & William Rigney’s All About Craic (Dromana Bucko-Coolavanny Kitty) resumed winning ways in strong running fashion.

Bearing a new middle seed from trap 5 and also trained by Karol Ramsbottom, the June 2024 whelp displayed pleasing early dash to secure second position behind a fast-starting rival at the opening bend.

Four lengths adrift off the second turn, All About Craic impressed while negating those arrears along the backstraight and challenging on the outside at the third bend, struck the front before drawing clear to a five and a half-length winning margin in 29.48 (-40).

Having avoided each other in the second-round draw, both Rigney runners are big players in a bid to retain the sponsorship prizemoney!