CHESTNUT BREAKS THE CLOCK AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
After posting a rapid 32.40 in the opening round of the Go Greyhound Racing A3 600 last weekend at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Chestnut King continued his stranglehold on the event as he smashed the 600-yard track record on Saturday night, posting a blistering 32.14.
Trained by Paraic Campion for Tony and Raymond Bennett, Chestnut King (Pic right with connections)
has always been a very talented performer and this was evident from a record of eight career wins over four different distances ranging from 525-yards right up to the marathon trip of 730-yards. However, despite displaying phenomenal speed last week to blow his rivals away in 32.40, few would have suggested that seven days later he would go on to shave one length off the track record set by Lemon Belle some twelve years ago. That said, there was nothing flukey about the performance of the brilliant son of Good News and Redzer Ruby as he dominated his rivals from the outset to set a sensational gallop thereafter. Going off as the even money favourite after that blistering opening round display, Chestnut King broke smartly from the red jacket and he steered a rails to middle course on the run-up as he turned two lengths clear of Busters Odyssey in second. A two length advantage quickly tripled within a matter of strides down the back as the strapping black made his intentions clear, powering into the penultimate bend with seven lengths in hand. Staying on as you would expect from a greyhound who has won over 730-yards, Chestnut King absolutely flew up the Limerick straight and he crossed the line nine lengths clear of Ballygur Bale, who came through for second. The time, as mentioned, was a special 32.14, a new track record.
IN OTHER HEATS
Lovely Ben went off as the hot 4/5 favourite in the opening heat but he failed to land a blow as Ruling Georgia led from the outset. Owned by William O’Neill, Ruling Georgia was seeking a first career win but she led early from trap five to take a narrow lead from Tullovin Bale in second. It was very much a two dog affair thereafter, however, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Glideaway Babe stretched clear in the closing stages to cross the line with five lengths in hand. The time was 32.62 for the 2/1 chance.
In heat three, Borna Flame justified her 4/6 starting price with another display of late power. Owned by Michelle Dwan of Thurles, this bitch has incredible speed from the halfway mark and this was on full display last night again. Running from trap four, Borna Flame was led early on by Larchill Echo but as she turned handy entering the back, the writing was very much on the wall. Overcoming a five length gap down the back, the daughter of Dorotas Woo Hoo and Borna Central powered to the front around the bottom two bends and never looked back thereafter as she stormed up the straight to win by four and a half lengths. The time was 32.66.
JAG ACTION
The two semi finals of the Jag Construction Novice 525 also featured on the card and Sober Mags went narrowly quickest in the opening semi.
Trained by David Flanagan for the New-Gang-Syndicate, Sober Mags was sent to traps as a 7/4 chance to get her career off to the best possible start and she finished strongly to secure victory. Running from trap one, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Mags Angel was led early on by Gurtnacrehy Exit and he continued to set a good pace down the back straight while holding a two length advantage in the process. However, Sober Mags wore down the leader and got to the front late on to win by one length, in a time of 29.17.
In the second semi, Tromora Swing made every inch of the running to secure victory for David Hogan. Running from trap six, the 2/1 chance showed the superior early speed and he opened a sizable advantage heading into the back straight. A son of Ballmac Best and Tromora Champion, his stride shortened on the run for home as Velvet Fern finished strongly in behind, however, he kept just enough in reserve to see off the jolly. Just one length separating the duo, the time was 29.25.
LAURELS TRIAL STAKE
Race four saw the Bar One Racing Laurels Trial Stake go down for decision and it was Newport Pier who secured the golden ticket, albeit by the shortest of margins.
Running for the Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate in Galway, Newport Pier had some fine form around Galway but had been plying her trade over the marathon trips in recent months, reaching the final of the Corn Cuchullain in the process. Stepping back to the standard trip, she finished with a wet sail to snatch victory in the shadow of the post. Running from trap five, Newport Pier didn’t come away well from five and shipped a huge bump at the opener which saw her sit some ten lengths adrift of the leader entering the back straight. However, slicing through runners down the back, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Cantcallherthat showed incredible track craft to maneuver her way through and finish strongly. Snatching victory from under the nose of Portdrine Magic on the line, Newport Pier won by a short-head in 28.87.
CANYA FLIES
In race six, an AO/A1 contest, Canya Dream produced a super performance to win at odds of 4/1.
Trained by David Flanagan for Imelda Sinclair, Canya Dream has a fine winning record and she was bidding for a sixth career win last night when donning the red jacket. Led early by the flying Drombeg Ten in trap two, Canya Dream used her rails pitch to her advantage and gained a slip-stream at the opener to take control. Holding a slender advantage over the improving Grangeview Ron in second, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Lear Avajo pulled clear in the latter stages as she crossed the line with three lengths in hand over Grangeview Ron in second. The time was 28.40.