ROCKET ON TARGET ONCE MORE AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
The Paul Hennessy-trained Luna Rocket made it back-to-back wins in the €5,000 to the winner Greyhound & Petworld A1 Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
A large crowd turned out to watch some really exciting racing.
In the ownership of Michael McGlynn and Wayne Leonard, the 5-4 favourite showed her customary early pace to overcome the trap five draw. Hennessy's other runner Hello Tommy was putting it up to her heading down the back straight, but Luna Rocket had all the answers upfront. Staying on nicely in the closing yards, the well-fancied winner scored, in a top class 28.20, two and a half lengths clear of Hello Tommy with five and a half lengths back to Young Bud in third place.
BROGAN CELT ON TOP FORM
Heat three went the way of Brogan Celt for local owners John and Marguerite O'Donoghue.
It opened up nicely for the 3-1 winner on the back straight, but once he got racing room, he took off. Showing massive gears, Brogan Celt returned to top form, clocking 28.31 and coming home with five and a half lengths to spare over Glanmore Fox. Filibustor was just a length and a half back in third place.
POWERFUL RUN
In the second heat, it was all about Fitzys Last as the 5-2 shot won with plenty to spare.
No stranger to success around course and distance, the powerful running winner had the race in safe keeping heading down the back straight. Owned by Finbarr and Liam Fitzgearld, Fitzys Last came home five and a half lengths clear of Ballyhooly Belle, in 28.43, with half a length back to Brogan Highway in third place.
IVY PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS
In the fourth and final heat, Butterbridge Ivy just got the verdict to land the spoils for trainer Kieran Lynch.
Owned by Diarmuid Lynch, the 5-1 outsider was always in the mix and she dug deep in the closing stages to deny long time leader Dashgrove Bolger, winning by a head, in 28.73. Two and a half lengths back to Millridge Dolly in third place.
IN OTHER RACES
Well backed in the betting ring, Parkgate Angel gave Kieran Lynch an early win as the Patrick O'Donovan owned runner delivered a classy performance in the open sprint. Sent off at odds of 2-1, Parkgate Angel hit the ground running and the January puppy impressed with a stunning 17.60 winning performance.
In the 11th of the night, an A2/A3, Broadstrand Noah came home alone as the October puppy clocked a magnificent 28.12. It was messy at the opening corner, but the 4-6 jolly slipped around in front. From there, he took off, pulling further and further clear. An outstanding performance to win, in 28.12. Another really exciting sort for team Johnny Linehan and owners the Ryan-Drake-Donovan-Syndicate.
Racing concluded with a fine performance from Russmur Pat in the open 550. Trained by James O'Regan for owner Jeremiah Murphy, the 5-4 favourite had the form in the book and he duly obliged. Hitting the front before the opening corners, Russmur Pat then went on to win, 29.94, a length clear of Ballydague Bella in second place.