COUNTY MINOR TRIUMPHS IN O’CONNOR JULIAN TRI-DISTANCE AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
County Minor has flourished into a top-class tracker throughout the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and he made it three wins on the spin last night in capturing the valuable €3,000 feature.
Kindly sponsored by O’Connor Julian Vets in Cashel, this Tri-Distance event has proved a brilliant addition to the greyhound racing calendar since its inception in 2021 and this year’s renewal has produced the most thrilling action at Limerick over the past four weeks. County Minor has been one of the break-through stars in this year's event and he completed a hat-trick of wins last night as he got up in the shadows of the post to deny the gallant Turkish Delight.
TURKISH SETS THE PACE
Jointly owned by Gerard White and Pat Butler, County Minor came into the event with some hugely impressive form over both the 550 and 575-yard legs of this stake but such as the talent involved in the decider, the majority of the line-up boasted credible claims of landing the spoils. The favourite at the off was Lemon Magic, which was hardly surprising given his semi final procession but at traprise, he missed the kick and it was Move On Dot who actually broke in front. However, a subsequent stumble thereafter saw the 20/1 sucked in early doors and it was Turkish Delight who was showing all of the early speed from trap two. Followed in second at this point by County Minor, both greyhounds were set to renew a rivalry which had seen them pass the post in tandem in the opening round.
A THRILLING BATTLE
Turkish Delight ran a brilliant opening bend to quickly turn a slender advantage into two lengths entering the back straight and it was game-on in terms of a contest with the inevitability that County Minor would be staying on powerfully in the closing yards. Meanwhile, sitting third at this point was Kilcolgan Comet, however, Lemon Magic gave chase in fourth and quickly improved down the back as he displayed an eye-catching turn of foot to begin his recovery from a sluggish start. Up front however, and Turkish Delight continued to set a relentless gallop and the impressive December puppy still had a lead of one and a half lengths over County Minor upon entrance to the penultimate turn, while Lemon Magic was a further four lengths adrift in third. At this stage of the final, it was very much game-on entering the final one hundred yards.
MINOR PREVAILS IN CLOSE FINISH
Given this was a 600-yard contest, it was the second winning line in operation and this was to prove decisive for County Minor in his quest to reel in a rival who he has had some swashbuckling contests with over the past few weeks. Still in charge on the run for home, Turkish Delight was railing like a cat up the Limerick hill and she was seeing out every yard of the trip despite being collared close home in both legs on the 575 in the weeks previous. However, County Minor has shown his powerful attributes over the past few weeks and the son of Newinn Taylor and Humble Star made his move crossing the 575-yard winning line. Neck and neck with Turkish Delight at the post, County Minor had timed his challenge to perfection as he downed his gallant foe to win by a neck crossing the line. Stopping the clock in a fine 32.52, Lemon Magic produced a huge effort in third to get to within two lengths of his rivals, while the remainder failed to land a blow after some traffic early on. A thrilling conclusion to what has been an exceptional renewal of this stake, many thanks are extended to the sponsors, while congratulations are also extended to the connections of County Minor on a terrific victory.
KING DOMINATES IN 600 OPENER
Elsewhere on the card, the final of the Go Greyhound Racing A3 600 got underway and the star of the opening round was Chestnut King as he produced an outstanding performance for trainer, Paraic Campion.
Jointly owned by Tony & Raymond Bennett and, Chestnut King was installed as the 4/6 favourite coming into heat five and it was easy to see why as he made his intentions felt from an early stage. Breaking well from three, the son of Good News and Redzer Ruby immediately outgunned his rivals early on with a lovely turn of early speed to lead. Taking a lead of three parts of a length into the back from Tyrap Rose in second, Chestnut King drew clear within the blink of an eye and he was to set a storming gallop to come home some thirteen lengths too strong. A magnificent effort from this greyhound, his clock was a blistering 32.40, the one to beat in this competition.
HEAT WATCH
In heat one, Lively Ben also came home with a comfortable victory for his owner, Liam Murphy. Chasing a third career win, the son of Belles Direction and Lovely Beth tracked Starson Lass early on but quickly asserted off the second bend to draw clear and win by four and a half lengths. The time for the 5/2 chance was 32.96.
Heat two saw Tato Komodo justify his even money price tag for Javier Jarne and Dave Bourke. Only a December 21’ whelp, he won over the 750-yard trip last time out so once in front early in this contest, the result was never in doubt. Running from trap five, the son of Grangeview Ten and Ballymac Saga prevailed by seven lengths as he stopped the clock in a good 32.80.
Borna Flame was sent to traps as the 5/4 favourite in heat three and Michelle Dwan’s charge made light work of her rivals despite looking in trouble early on. Running from trap four, the daughter of Dorotas Woo Hoo and Borna Central sat fifth early on but showed an eye-catching turn of speed down the back to quickly reel in the early leaders. Staying on strongly thereafter, the brindle stormed to a eight and a half length victory, in a smart time of 32.74.
The favourites kept on coming in heat four as Ballygur Bale left it late to justify his even money starting price. Running for William Hanlon, the son of Magical Bale and Ballygur Mel played second fiddle to Larchill Echo for the majority of this contest but showed the superior stamina in the closing yards to reel in his rival and cross the line with a half length in hand. The time was 33.01.