Music ensures Golden start to classic season
We have almost come to expect that the kennels of Pat Guilfoyle in Moneygall will ensure a local interest in the major events of greyhound racing but such is the competition at the top level of the sport that we must never take that presence for granted. That said however, with the wonderful Musictoourears claiming the first of Shelbourne Park’s major events in 2019, the season ahead does look very bright indeed for our local training star.
Owned by the Pension Plan Syndicate, Musictoourears (Droopys Jet/Glideaway Marina) entered Saturday’s Best Car Parks Gold Cup Final with a perfect record in the event and the manner of his victories were testament to his brilliant battling abilities as the slick early pacer was forced to come from behind in each of his last two outings.
Favourite following his fastest semi-final victory, his odds drifted markedly approaching the final amidst concerns over his Trap 3 draw on the outside of slick early pacer Garryvoe Noah and fastest of the event Droopys Chimes.
However, the Guilfoyle charge possesses smart breaking abilities and again swift to stride in the final, he would lead by half a length on the run to the bend but determined to race on the rails, he effectively settled the final when forcefully bullying his way to the fence at the turn. A one length advantage over Bakery Lane at the top of the back-straight would remain intact to the closing bends and though that rival did threaten a challenge on the outer at that point, Musictooueears was never for passing. Asserting once more on the home-straight, he would power his way to a two length victory while posting a brilliant 28.33 for the 525 yard trip.
It was a truly stunning performance on the night and his unbeaten campaign in such a high class stake represents a remarkable training performance which has seen the new Gold Cup champion on a steady upward curve over the past year, to now be one of the leading runners of the sport.
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