ROCKET IN FULL FLIGHT AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
LUNA ROCKET was the star of the show in the opening round of the €5,000 to the winner Greyhound & Petworld A1 stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
Trained by Paul Hennessy for owners Michael Mcglynn and Wayne Leonard, the 5-4 market leader showed a nice touch of early pace and she was in a fantastic early battle with Coolbunnia Frank. Getting the better of that argument from the final corner, the impressive winner flew up the home straight to win, by four lengths, in quickest of the night, a flying 28.18. Millridge Jayden was two and a half lengths behind Coolbunnia Frank in third place.
DOLLY OUT ON TOP
In the sixth and final heat, Millridge Dolly came out on top for Donal O'Mahony.
In a superb contest, the 2-1 winner was nip and tuck with Butterbridge Ivy throughout. Just finding that bit more in the final yards, Millridge Dolly got the better of Butterbridge Ivy, by a neck, in 28.63. Gimme Patience keeping on well in third, just a head behind the runner up.
NO STRANGER TO SUCCESS AROUND CORK
Fitzys Last is no stranger to success around course and distance and the 7-2 winner delivered another fine performance in heat four.
In the ownership of Finbarr and Liam Fitzgerald, he produced a strong finish to land the spoils. Dashgrove Bolger made a lot of the early running, but Fitzys Last was too strong late on. Three quarters of a length the margin, in 28.76, with a length and a half back to Bartlemy Jas in third place.
YOUNG BUD
The second heat went the way of Young Bud for Eugie O'Leary.
Three lengths to make up on Creamery Bart at halfway, the 5-2 winner put on a powerful finish to return to winning form. At the line, Young Bud was three lengths clear of Creamery Bart, with a further three and a half lengths back to Slaneyside Foe in third place.
IN OTHER HEATS
In the following heat, Liam Twomey's Witches Mercury also clocked 28.79 when making back-to-back winning performances. A 3-1 shot in the ring, the Witches runner was in front early and she had to pull out all the stops to deny the fast-finishing Ballyhooly Belle, by half a length, with Kilara Elk just a neck back in third.
Filbustor (5-2) made it three wins from his last four outings when taking the fifth heat for Ned Kerrisk. The October puppy took control early and with both Hello Tommy and Brogan Celt finding plenty of trouble in running and it really opened the door for the winner who took full advantage. At the line, he was two and a half lengths clear of Brogan Celt, in 29.03. Half a length back in third was Hello Tommy.
CLASSY COOSEY HALL
The €850 final of the Weber Family Germany A2 575 went the way of Coosey Hall for trainer James Kelleher and owners the Castlegrounds-Syndicate.
The 6-4 joint favourite slipped around the opening turns in front, soon three or four clear, the outcome was never in any doubt. Ballycowen Lola kept on well in second, but it was all about the impressive winner. Two and a half lengths between the front two, in 31.20. Droopys Dancer the same distance back in third place.
OTHER BIG RUNS
Racing got underway with a smashing performance from Aghaburren Bloom (Laughil Blake-Aghaburren Model). Mossy O'Leary's February puppy looks a great prospect after he clocked 28.71, winning easily at odds of 2-1.
There's no stopping the kennel of Donal Ross, the in-form handler had another smart winner in race three. A 2-1 shot in the ring, Kilbarry Travel ran away with the A5 contest, posting a quick 28.65 and winning by a country mile. The September puppy is a member of a very nice litter.