CON & ANNIE KIRBY BEGINNING TO HEAT UP AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Few would have predicted how the 2024 running of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial would have panned out thus far and just twenty-four remain as the Classic renewal reaches its quarter final stages later tonight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

The likes of Ballymac Danica, Carrick Keano, Coolavanny Otto, Romeo Taylor, Faypoint Harvey and Whyaye Bonnylad all featured at the top-end of the outright betting market prior to stake, however, all have been eliminated in what has been a Kirby filled with just as many shocks as there has been quality performance. That said, twenty-four top-class trackers remain in the €80,000 to the winner Classic and patrons are sure to be treated to four brilliant quarter finals later tonight.

OWER CAN CRACK ON

The pick of the four quarters is the second heat and the likely favourite is arguably one of the surprises packages this year, Ower Cracker. Pat Buckley’s charge arrived at Limerick having reached the final of the Juvenile Classic and he will renew his rivalry with the eventual winner of that stake, Ballymac Patriot. On that occasion, Ower Cracker was no match for Ballymac Patriot, however, he has shown huge progress in the Kirby and comes into tonight’s contest fresh from 28.21 and 28.26 performances. In addition, the son of Deerjet Sydney has been very consistent at traprise and is also on the receiving end of a plumb draw in red. Taking this into account, there is a lot to like about Ower Cracker and he gets the vote to make it back-to-back wins and safely advance into next week’s semi finals. His main rival, in my eyes, is Ballymac Patriot despite his continued search for victory at Limerick. The Juvenile Classic champion took another step forward last weekend as he chased home Ower Cracker to post an estimated 28.48 and the signs are certainly positive that he is on the brink of something special. The son of Ballymac Cashout is drawn quite far out in five, however, his inside rival is a slow starter and he could receive plenty of racing room in the early exchanges, which could prove crucial going forward. Another with strong claims in the unbeaten Knockeen Dazzler in six. Perfectly housed once again, Daniel O’Rahilly’s black has fine early dash and could find himself in a favourable position once again entering the back. Should this be the case, he has no forlorn hope of making the frame, while this is also the case for Ocean Tesla, who is running out of her skin for Tom Fitzgerald. The daughter of Droopys Sydney will need to hang on to coattails early on, however, will be finishing best of all in the black jacket, while Da Bold Falcon and Feshtys Mo both possess big engines and have already shown their abilities already in this stake. The latter has shown fine early pace thus far and could dictate, while the former hasn’t brought his Tralee form to Limerick just yet but has still shown glimpses of his capabilities. In what is a top-class quarter, qualification really is tough to call and a lot will be decided in the opener twenty-five yards. SELECTION – 1/5/2

KING TO RULE

Stonepark King produced a thoroughly impressive display last Saturday when putting his rivals to the sword in a blistering 28.03 and he looks the most likely to land the spoils in the first quarter final.

Representing the same connections as previous Kirby winner, Stonepark Leo, Stonepark King was sensational In drawing clear to win by six lengths last Saturday and he has been rewarded with a brilliant draw in trap two this time around. There is quite a bit of early speed on his outside and both Radical Harry and Romeo Kingpin are the main threats, however, it is his kennel companion is Serene Rex who could well cause Stonepark King the biggest worry. Housed in one, Serene Rex went up well last time out in posting a 1.24 sectional, so Stonepark King can ill-afford any slip-ups at boxes as this could hamper his chances of a clear passage early on. That said, he is far superior on the clock overall and should he manage to negotiate that particular obstacle, he will take plenty of beating. The aforementioned Romeo Kingpin and Radical Harry carry strong claims, however. ‘Kingpin’ himself clocked a superb 28.24 last time out and it's worth noting that he did this off an average enough break from trap one. Donning the white jacket this time around, the son of Superman, trained by Graham Holland for Dave Firmager, can come away better which is a scary prospect for his rivals. Radical Harry, meanwhile, is still learning the ropes despite posting 28.18 on debut. A powerful galloper throughout, the son of Epic Hero will need to be on toes from the outset, however, Thomas O’Donovan’s tracker is capable of producing something special, as shown in his very short career thus far. Of the others, Serene Rex, Scooby Pacemaker and Ballinabola Jim will all fancy their chances of making the frame, especially Jennifer O’Donnell’s runner, who posted a smashing 28.28 in behind Epic Chick last weekend. The son of Droopys Sydney is showing big signs of a return to form and it is a case of ruling this greyhound out at your peril. Ballinabola Jim certainly carries claims despite having plenty to find on the clock. Given the make-up of the race, and the possibility of traffic on the inner, Brendan Murphy’s ninety-pounder will be finishing with a wet sail and looks certain to gain a clear passage as the sole wide seed in the event. SELECTION – 2/3/6

IMPOSSIBLE TO OPPOSE CHICK

The second round standard was set by the John Kennedy-owned Epic Chick as she rocketed to a 28.00 clock and she is impossible to oppose in the third quarter final.

A bitch who had shown exceptional talent prior to this stake at both Waterford and Shelbourne; Epic Chick missed the kick in the opening round but put things right with a brilliant display last time out to win in style. The daughter of Grangeview Ten is still not breaking too fluently, however, her talent is without question and this looks the most modest of the quarter finals on paper. Drawn in six, anything close to last week’s performance will suffice and as a result, she is certainly the selection on this occasion. Of her rivals, Coolavanny Poppy makes the most appeal for Nathan and James Corden. A big talent, she was well-supported last time out and did extremely well to qualify given she received a troublesome passage at the opener. Drawn in three, a fast start is necessary, however, she has shown her capabilities at traprise in the past at Newbridge and there is no reason why she cannot duplicate at Limerick. Of the others, Barefoot On Fire is a hugely fast individual when allowed the space and he has a lovely make-up in trap two, while the same can be said of Merits Inclusion in one for his Newry handler, Brendan Matthews. Both have extremely well housed in traps one and two respectively and they will both by vying for supremacy in the opening exchanges. Tally Ho Storm and Fantasy Alex meanwhile are the likely outsiders and both will need to bring their A-game if they are to qualify. SELECTION – 6/3/2

METAPHOR TO BOUNCE BACK

Droopys Metaphor suffered a shock defeat last weekend when sent off as the 4/5 favourite, however, he can get back to winning ways in the final quarter final for trainer Robert Gleeson.

 A winner of his opening round assignment in a brilliant 28.21, Droopys Metaphor missed the kick last Saturday night but did exceptionally well to recover into a qualifying position, which will no doubt stand him in good stead going forward. A son of up and coming sire Dromana Bucko, this greyhound has massive potential and if he can rediscover his trapping boots, he will take plenty of beating. That said, he will have to be on top of his game to deny the likes of Faypoint Sean in trap six. Trained by Graham Holland for Patricia Flanagan, the son of Droopys Sydney has yet to be out of the top two in eleven starts and his performance last Saturday, although nothing special on the clock, was mighty impressive to the eye. Almost sent to the deck at the opener, ‘Sean’ recovered in quite phenomenal style to get up on the line and his determination for racing cannot be questioned. On the basis of that performance alone, he remains an outright challenger for this event. Ballymac Dapper is also showing fine improvement despite still a maiden after seven starts. Liam Dowling’s tracker chased home Stonepark King to record 28.45 last weekend and will appreciate a draw much closer to the fence in two. This will also be the case for the Brendan Maunsell-trained In Good Time in one. Housed in five last time around, he did brilliantly to oppose his 33/1 price tag and qualify behind Radical Harry. The most experienced dog in the line-up, his clocks would suggest he certainly has a chance of making the final twelve next Saturday night. In what is a fairly open quarter, Prince Naseem and Phoenix Tyson will also carry plenty of support. Both capable of pinging out to make-all, they can certainly make the frame, however, Prince Naseem in particular will need to overcome a tricky draw in the black and must avoid becoming the meat in the sandwich early on with Droopys Metaphor and Phoenix Tyson. The latter missed his break last time out but this is very uncharacteristic for Ian Reilly’s black, so one would assume he will trap better from five this time around. SELECTION – 3/6/5