LEMON PRODUCES THE MAGIC IN O’CONNELL JULIAN TRI-DISTANCE
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the O’Connell Julian Vets Cashel Tri Distance served as the highlight on Saturday night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and it produced some brilliant action which will culminate in what should prove a fascinating decider next weekend.
In both semis, there was to be minor upsets as the favourites failed to land a blow, however, both Oakfront Cadet and Turkish Delight secured their spot in the decider, which will be over the extended 600-yard trip next weekend. Of last night’s winner, both Lemon Magic and County Minor made it back-to-back wins but it was the former in particular who really impressed, winning the opening semi final by a brilliant ten lengths and posting a sizzling 31.13 in the process.
Sent off as the 9/4 second favourite behind Oakfront Cadet in six, Lemon Magic was mighty impressive last weekend when clocking 31.35 but he certainly gave the impression he had plenty in the tank on that occasion as he came from off-the-pace to win for just the second time. His potential came to fruition last night however, as Tom Lennon and Colin Rafter’s July whelp won emphatically, quickly turning the event into a virtual solo before stopping the clock in a blistering 31.13. Running from trap two, the son of Magical Bale and Cats Belle came away best of all and quickly stamped his authority on the contest as he led from Move Over Dot and the reserve, Mystic Showtime. At this point, Oakfront Cadet trailed the field and had plenty on his plate just to qualify. Very little in it at the front, Lemon Magic excelled at the sprint box and he quickly manufactured a healthy advantage approaching the penultimate turn. Now firmly in charge, Lemon Magic drew further clear in the closing stages and stormed up the Limerick straight to win by an extending ten lengths. Move On Dot ran well to secure second, while Oakfront Cadet went into overdrive around the bottom two bends to seal his spot in next week’s decider. No doubt about the winner however, and this was a very telling performance from a greyhound at the top of his game.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR MINOR
In the second semi, County Minor built on his brilliant performance one week prior to make it back-to-back wins for Geard White and Pat Butler.
Despite reeling in Turkish Delight last time out, County Minor was still available at 2/1 with his rival installed as the 5/4 favourite to reverse last week’s form. Running from trap four, the eventual time may have been much slower than his return seven days prior, however, the performance still oozed class and he too will have huge claims in next week’s feature event. At traprise, it was Kilcolgan Comet who showed first from three but he was outpaced to the opening corner as Turkish Delight shot up the inside to narrowly lead. County Minor was forced to check at this point, however, he was in close pursuit down the back as Turkish Delight held a narrow lead from Kilcolgan Comet and County Minor at the halfway mark. At this point, the latter was showing all the gears but after going for a daring run through the centre at the penultimate, he again was forced to check as Turkish Delight remained in charge. County Minor showed fine determination and although being stopped in his tracks on multiple occasions, he came back for more around the final turn. Relishing the long run home, the son of Newinn Taylor and Humble Star flew up the hill and win by an extending two and a half lengths from Kilcolgan Comet, who stayed on very well to chin Turkish Delight for second. The time was 31.70.
The draw for the final of the O’Connell Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance is as follows
T1 - LEMON MAGIC
T2 - TURKISH DELIGHT
T3 - COUNTY MINOR
T4 - MOVE ON DOT
T5 - KILCOLGAN COMET
T6 - OAKFRONT CADET
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CORN CUCHULAINN CHAMP BLITZES RIVALS
Incredibly, recent Corn Cuchulainn heroine, Kinturk Road was still graded A1 over the middle distances and she took full advantage of the strange system to win comfortably for Frank Thornton and Liam Dowling.
Understandably installed as the 4/6 jolly, Kinturk Road was searching for a magnificent eighth straight victory and in truth, once she trapped in front from four, the writing was already on the wall for her rivals. Taking a narrow lead from Old Bill into the back, Kinturk Road extended her lead to two lengths down the back and although Old Bill is as strong as they come over the standard trips, even he could not get on terms with the Country’s marathon Queen. A daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta, Kinturk Road stayed on as you would expect up the straight and she duly crossed the line with five lengths in hand over the gallant Old Bill in second. The time was a terrific 30.98.
HUKUM MAKES WINNING START TO MARATHON LIFE
One of the most eye-catching races on the card came in the concluding contest as Hukum and Ballymac Whispa stepped up the six bend trip and it was Hukum who made a winning start to marathon racing.
Trained by Adam Dunford for The-Fantasy-Syndicate, Hukum recorded a sensational 28.10 .10s last time out at Clonmel so it rather surprising to see him installed as the 7/4 second favourite, with Ballymac Whispa the even money jolly. At traprise, Saleen Conn actually showed first but got into all sorts of trouble at the opener as Hukum took charge with Puckane Player slipping through in second. At this point, Ballymac Whispa had found major traffic and was already out of the contest. Quickly moving into a four length lead, Hukum was now in full flow and the son of Good News and Early Rise looked to have this one in the bag. Puckane Player proved a worthy adversary however, and he really pushed Hukum in the closing stages, only to go down by a mere one and a half lengths. Nonetheless a very likeable performance from Hukum on his marathon debut, he posted a decent 41.65.