GUCCI DAME WINS ROSE OF TRALEE FINAL IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

The €1,500 to the winner Rose Of Tralee Stakes Final produced a fabulous finish in the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night. 

It was Gucci Dame (Droopys Sydney-Sing Dixie) who came out on top for the kennel of Andrew O'Leary. The 9-4 winner was moderately away, but after driving a brave opening corner to turn third, she then went down the back straight well to take up the running before the third corner. Lissycasey Jonjo delivered a powerful finish, but the line came in time for the winner, as she held on to win, by the shortest of margins, in 28.97. It's now back-to-back wins for Gucci Dame. Early leader Seomra Cyclone was a neck behind the runner-up in third place.

BIG RUN FROM MY FRIEND MAURA 

In other races, My Friend Maura clocked 28.50 in the closing race, an A5 contest.

The January puppy was having only her second career outing and the Michael Reidy-trained runner showed plenty of foot. In the ownership of Linda Hayes, the 3-1 shot broke well to set the early fractions. Palatine Eddy was also showing huge pace in behind, he came alongside turning for home, but the powerful winner dug deep, finding more, she scored, by three-quarters of a length.