MAKE THAT 12 STRAIGHT WINS FOR TUONO CHARLIE

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €7,000 to the winner MCP Group 750 were the feature races at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night.
Once again, Tuono Charlie was the star of the show as the Sharon Hunt-trained runner put on another magnificent performance, making it 12 straight wins for owner Paul Dyer.
The 2-5 favourite was always in control up front, leading early, he was chased around the opening corners by Ballyhooly Teejay. Showing massive all-round speed, Tuono Charlie was nicely clear at the winning line for the first time and he galloped strongly all the way. Another outstanding run, clocking 40.92 and coming home with seven lengths to spare over Ballyhooly Teejay, with five lengths back to Droopys Comrade in third place.
Kinturk Road, trained by Liam Dowling for owner Frank Thornton, overcame trouble in running to win the second semi-final, in 42.04. The even-money favourite turned second behind the fast-starting Lassinagh Dream, however, after coming together with Millridge Bryce at the third corner, Kinturk Road lost her position and she looked in serious trouble. Between the final corners, Riverside Scotch took up the running, but Kinturn Road had all the answers late on, recovering well and the strong running tracker stayed on best to beat Riverside Scotch, by three-quarters of a length, with a head back to Lassinagh Dream in third place.