MOORSTOWN JETS TO SWEEPSTAKE GLORY AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
There was a double header of sweepstake finals on show last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as the finals of the Track Members A6/A7 and A4/A5 went down for decision.
Both offering four figure prize pots to the winner, there were to be no surprises in both deciders as Freedom Vesta landed the A6/A7, while Moorstown Jet cemented his status as a class above in the A4/A5.
Trained by Declan Byrne for Joseph O’Flaherty, such was the quality of performance that Moorstown Jet had been producing in this stake, he went to traps an unbackable 1/4 shot and although missing his break this time around, he still showed his class to come through and assert. Running from trap four, the son of Droopys Jet and Moorstown Venus was only moderately into stride early on as Expert Group got away quickest on the inside. However, after showing rapid improvement down the back, Moorstown Jet soon took control entering the penultimate turn and it was to be all one-way traffic thereafter. Storming to a three and a half length success over Great Jet in second, the classy black sealed his hat-trick by staying on strongly to post 28.84.
VESTA LANDS A6/A7
Prior to that, Freedom Vesta landed the A6/A7 in good style after overcoming an early bump. Owned by Denis Ryan, the daughter of Good News and Freedom Dream went to traps a generous 4/1 chance but after shipping an early bump from the favourite, Tomahurra Lucky, her chances took a hit straight from the outset. However, recovering well from trap one, Freedom Vesta took charge rounding the second turn and despite Polkadotty proving a massive threat throughout, she maintained a decent gallop to see off her rival by two and a half lengths. The time was 29.46.
STAND-OUT PERFORMANCES
On the supporting card, there were a couple of stand-out performances and none more so than in the concluding race of the night as Vigorous Ozzy justified his 4/5 starting price to bounce back from debut defeat.
Trained by Graham Holland for Ronny Wuyts, the August 20’ whelp had some impressive qualifying efforts on his card prior to debut defeat around Shelbourne Park. However, clearly held in high regard, Vigorous Ozzy bounced back to score despite some room for improvement in the trapping department. Running from trap five, the son of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary totally fluffed his lines at boxes and as such, he was left with plenty on his plate as Glenbervie Maza led early doors. Showing big speed however, Vigorous Ozzy swooped around runners at the opening turn and he showed massive pace down the back before taking charge of proceedings at the penultimate turn. Staying on strongly thereafter, the prospect galloped to a comfortable four and a half length success over Glenbervie Maza in second. The time was a slick 28.65 and this greyhound will go considerably quicker once finding his trapping boots.
WINNING START FOR SHANCOL
In the opening race of the night, another greyhound dipped under the 29-second mark in the form of Shancol Storm as she landed his ON2/3 contest in fine style.
Jointly owned by PJ and Charles Sugrue, Shancol Storm went to boxes as a 2/1 chance and she was quickest into stride from the blue jacket to lead early on. Holding a two length advantage over Doubtful Ollie, the favourite was Swift Hipster and he really began to motor midway down the back to improve into second place. However, despite showing huge pace in behind, Swift Hipster was to just miss out as Shancol Storm stuck to her guns well to score by a decreasing half length crossing the winning line. The time was 28.93.