CABRA THREE-TIMER STEALS THE SHOW AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Dapper Kennels A3/A4 525 may well have been the main attraction to Thurles Greyhound Stadium last night but it was the Scally kennel who stole the show as they sent out a trio of winners.

Always a very formidable kennel around Thurles Park, Paddy and Ava Scally rarely have a quiet night and the first winner sent to traps was the impressive Cabra Astra in race four, a 330-yard contest. Owned by Paddy, Cabra Astra went to boxes a 2/1 chance and she dominated from the outset to record her first win since a 29.14 effort back in May. Quickest into stride wearing the blue jacket, the daughter of Cabra Firmino and Cabra Ebony immediately excelled to take a one length advantage into the opening turn. Tracking brilliantly around the bottom two bends, it was plain sailing for Cabra Astra thereafter as she stayed tight to the rails to record a four length win over Assarula Eoin in second. The time was a smart 18.10 .10s.

DOUBLE

It didn’t take long for the double to be completed as in the very next race, Cabra Veyron justified favouritism to land the Rathdowney Errill GAA A4 525. Owned again by Paddy Scally, this greyhound is a serial winner and he took his customary flying start from trap four to show his rivals a clean pair of heels early on. Drawing clear down the back, the son of Kinloch Brae and Cabra Ebony set a good gallup thereafter and he was two and a half lengths clear of Heavens Dexter at the winning line. A ninth career victory for this consistent tracker, the time was 29.97 .20s.

TREBLE

Ava Scally was next to score as she sent out Cabra Hasty, a litter sister to Cabra Veyron, to dead-heat race eight, which was heat three of the Dapper Kennels A3/A4 525. A 6/4 shot at the off, Cabra Hasty was slowly into stride from trap three and it was Shackleton who shot clear to take a four length lead into the back straight. However, bridging the gap gradually was Cabra Hasty and she rallied late to join the long-time leader at the winning line. The judge unable to separate the pair, Shackleton and Cabra Hasty clocked 29.74 .20s

WICHITA QUICKEST IN DAPPER STAKE

As mentioned, there were four opening round heats of the Dapper Kennels A3/A4 525 and the quickest of the four went to Gunboat Wichita in the first heat of the night.

Owned by Sean Kenny, who is no stranger to success, Gunboat Wichita was fresh off a fine victory last time out at Thurles and as such, he was installed as the 6/4 favourite to land the spoils. Running from trap four, the son of Droopys Sydney and Group Supergem came away racing and he soon took control as he brushed his rivals aside early doors. Taking a three length advantage into the back, Its My Mystery gave chase in second but it was all in vain as Gunboat Wichita stuck to his task well to record a one and a half length victory at the line. The time was a very useful 29.34 .20s.