DOUBLES FOR CAMPION AND O’GORMAN AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

It was a night of doubles at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night as the kennels of Paraic Campion and Thomas & Patrick O’Gorman both notched a couple of contests on the night.

Edermine Rocky got the ball rolling for Thomas and Patrick O’Gorman in race five as he landed his A1 contest in brilliant style. A striking blue-brindle, this fellow was bidding for a seventh career victory and the 5/2 shot showed fine early dash to recover from a moderate start in five. In doing so, he again showed excellent courage to avoid trouble and sweep the opening bend and this was to prove decisive in claiming victory. Now in charge by three lengths from Glorious Syd, the son of Cushie Jet and Edermine Cooper stayed on stoutly thereafter to see off his rival in comfortable style, while posting a decent 29.13 in the process.

Litter brother, Edermine Bonner, lined out in race ten and he was to produce a fine display to go faster than his litter comrade. On the comeback trail after posting a rapid 16.44 in a trial, ‘Bonner’ went to traps as a 2/1 chance and he pinged out of trap six to dictate early on. Narrowing rounding in front from Burgess Canon in second, the latter kept the leader honest throughout as he proved a worthy adversary to Edermine Bonner up top. That said, ‘Bonner’ pulled out all the stops when entering the home stretch and he duly claimed a one and a half length victory, in a time of 28.84.

CAMPION DOUBLE

Although Burgess Canon was forced to settle for second for Paraic Campion, he also notched a nice double on the card and the first of his winners came in the form of Boozed Burgess in race seven.

Owned by Osmond Bennett, Boozed Burgess was bidding for a hat-trick of wins in the Sporting Press AO contest and he made his intentions clear from the outset with a slick exit from red. In doing so, the son of Burgess Bucks and Road Queen posted a 2.88 sectional and this allowed him to manufacture a two length led midway down the back. Tullovin Bale emerged as a huge threat in the closing yards as he ate into the lead, however, the damage was done early as ‘Boozed’ held on gamely to score by a short-head. The time was a brilliant 28.68.

The double was complete in the very next race as Wizard bounced back to winning ways on his return to Clonmel. Approaching his fifth birthday, the strapping son of Magical Bale, owned by Gary Pepper, continues to retain ability and he must be a dream to own considering he notched an exceptional sixteenth victory on the night. Rocketing from trap six to record a blistering 2.80 split, Wizard set out his stall early and he had some four lengths in hand turning into the back. Setting a smart gallop thereafter, Lough Deise looked to have the measure of his rival as he cut the deficit with every stride in the closing yards, however, Wizard kept just enough in reserve to win by a neck. The time for this brilliant veteran was 29.05.

IN OTHER RACES

In the curtain raiser, there was a fine debut performance from Croydon Boy (Ballyhimikin Jet - Yahoo Diva). Trained by Patrick Barrett for Michael Clark, the May 23’ puppy arrived fresh off of two winning qualifying efforts and he continued his winning form with an absolute flyer from trap three to dictate. In doing so, the 5/4 favourite never saw another tail as he galloped to a comprehensive win over Bockos Ellie in second. The time was a smart 29.02.

There was another trap-to-line success in race four as Bogcross Reno (Jaytee Yankee - Hello Graciebabe) made every yard at odds of 5/2. Owned by Noel Culleton, this fellow was chasing a ninth career success and he too was finely tuned as he bolted from trap two to lead comfortably. Holding a lead of one and a half lengths from Springwood Fred midway down the back, ‘Reno’ showed the superior stamina on the run for home to cross the line with two and a half lengths in hand. The time was 28.87.

Reverting to the two-bend trip and it was Daring Hoffa that set the standard as he made it two wins from just three starts for Michael Meade, James Maguire and Michael Miller. Just an April pup, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Another Blonde looks to have plenty of ability and he recovered from a level break in three to outpace his rivals to the opening bend. In doing so, the 4/7 chance proved too hot to handle on the run for home as he rallied to a two and a half length success over Gerber in second. The time was a swift 16.36.