Mickey Shines in Loughnane Limerick brace

TRAPRISE

A busy period for local kennels around the tracks of Ireland saw a further wealth of pleasing performances and roaring back to form within a week of double winning achievements, Aoife Loughnane helped herself to a brace on the SIS programme at Limerick on Thursday.

First into action for the Upcoming Sweepstakes A5 525 was the Ready To Dream Syndicate’s Ready To Shine (Explosive Boy-Express Shine) and admirably consistent over recent months, the September 2023 whelp deservedly resumed winning ways while taking advantage of an ease in grade.

A smart early pacer for this level, the Roscrea charge began on level terms from a suitable trap 5 and gradually edged to a tight one length lead before tackling the opening bend. Sweeping across her nearest pursuers into the crown of the turns, Ready To Shine stretched readily clear with the best foot along the backstraight and never seriously threatened, completed victory with a snug four lengths to spare in 29.16 (+10). Up to her very best career form, this sixth career win will bring a return to A3 next time.

The quickfire kennel double arrived in the following I.R.G.T A5 525 where Aoife Loughnane’s Kilgarran Mickey (Pestana-Lemon Juliet) also converted his plausible opportunity in typical nerve-wracking manner.

A habitual wide runner, it is difficult to accurately calculate just how much further the September 2022 whelp gallops in comparison to his rivals in any given outing and he again surrender ground throughout his thrilling fourteenth career win on Thursday.

Breaking on terms from his favoured draw in trap 6, the likeable Loughnane kennel stalwart showed the best early dash on the outside of the field before reaching the corner with a length in hand. That advantage was overturned however, as Mickey took the scenic route to the backstraight with a length and a half to recover upon straightening on the approach to halfway. Superior pace approaching the third turn saw Kilgarran Mickey back in front while turning but he was once again joined by rivals on his inner while widest into the straight. Game as you could wish for on the run to the line however, he once again advanced to lead close home, registering 29.47 (+10) in a one and a half-length verdict.

Max leads Home a Morrissey double

A double winning achievement had already been registered on Wednesday of last week when Abigail & Tina Morrissey were again on the scoreboard at Kilkenny.

The mother and daughter combination have a puncheon for delivering their winners in multiples and first into the winner’s circle this time was Abigails Max (Here Comes Syd-Abigails Hope) when registering a thrilling fourth race win in the www.kilkenygreyhoundstadium.com A5 525.

Just moderately to stride from trap 6, the June 2024 pup absorbed a hefty bump on the outside while tackling the opening bend in rear division. Advancing to fourth at the top of the backstraight, there was still over three lengths to recover but reducing those arrears, Abigails Max made his way to second with a daring run between runners at the third turn.

Strongest from that point, the Morrissey charge powered his way to the front in the home stretch and striking the line with a length and three quarters in hand, posted 30.23 (-40) which will keep him in the same grade next time.

Bringing up the double for the Cloughjordan kennels in the later Greyhounds Make Great Pets A7 525, Home Cedrie (Ballymac Anton-Home Julie) was also scoring for the fourth time and gratefully, in much less dramatic fashion.

Breaking on level terms from trap 5, the August 2023 whelp paced up well to the opening bend before duelling for the lead with a rival to his inside while turning. Gamely winning that early tussle when edging to the front along the backstraight, Home Cedrie fully struck the front at the third turn and seeing out the trip well, extended to a one and three-quarter length victory in 30.49 (-40,) and will also avoid an upgrade next time.

Cash is on the money at Shelbourne

Having announced himself as an exciting prospect with novice stake victory at Newbridge, Aulton Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Confident Petal) made his expected step to elite racing level on Saturday last at Shelbourne Park when an impressive winner of his opening round in the Shelbourne Park Bookmakers AO 550 Yard Stake for trainer Vincent McKenna.

The Pat Hogan owned July 2024 whelp was progressing for a pleasing runner-up effort over 525-yards a fortnight earlier on the back of a layoff and from the opening heat of three, set the standard for the event with a third win from his four career outings.

Breaking on level terms from trap 2, the McKenna pup was swift to reach full stride and winning an early battle for command of the rails, tackled the opening bend with a tight half-length in hand. Increasing that advantage to two lengths on the run to halfway, Aulton Cash maintained a strong gallop thereafter despite threatened by a fast-finishing Goodnitekathleen in the home stretch.

Full value for a neck winning verdict, the McKenna prospect registered a classy 29.72 and remains open further natural improvement over the trip as a big fancy for the event ahead of this coming Saturday’s semi-finals.

It was a good night for the Borrisokane kennels on Saturday with an across the card double as the Hughie Kelehan owned Nashville (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Lucia) took his career tally to twenty in S1 350-yard victory at Mullingar.

Perfectly housed in trap 1, the August 2022 whelp justified short odds when defending the rails pitch on the run to the opening bend and easing clear of rivals while turning, he readily settled the race as a contest thereafter. Striking the line with a snug four lengths to spare, Nashville posted 19.41 (-20).