UNANIMOUSPANTHER TO CONTINUE HIS ST. LEGER ASSAULT

Peter Farrell

With two sensational performances already under his belt, Unanimouspanther heads into the quarter finals of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger in red-hot form and tonight he will aim to hand defeat to reigning champ, Clonbrien Treaty.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Ciaran O’Sullivan, Unanimouspanther came into this event an already established Classic winner, however, he has gone to another level in the past couple of weeks. Just half a length off Jaytee Taylor’s track record seven days ago, the heavyweight son of Droopys Sydney takes on Clonbrien Treaty tonight but it would take a brave individual to go against a greyhound that has amassed a twelve length aggregate in his two Leger outings thus far. Drawn in four, he may well be led in the early yards by ‘Treaty’, however, he should have far too much from the midway point on and as a result, Unanimouspanther can make it three wins on the spin. The aforementioned Clonbrien Treaty is the obvious threat. Graham Holland’s runner has dictated both of his rounds thus far, however, has been found wanting in the closing yards, which has seen him reeled in on both occasions. That said, the son of Pestana has shown his abilities to quickly turn the tables on his rivals and he cannot be discounted given his explosive early gear. Barefoot On Fire is another big player. Trained by the in-form Paul Hennessy, the blistering fawn has returned to his very best in recent weeks and he really made Jaytee Craze pull out all the stops last time out. Housed perfectly in red, the son of Grangeview Ten posted an estimate of 29.45 on that occasion and based on that form, he won’t be far away. The remaining runners of Bockos Crystal, Extra Gain and Blastoff Salah are all hugely fast individuals but it's fair to say that they will all need to up their game to outgun the more fancied trio.

CARMAC GETS THE NOD IN STACKED QUARTER

The opening quarter final may be hugely competitive but the final quarter final really is something special with Knockeen Dazzler, Jaytee Craze, Coolavanny Otto and Carmac King all involved.

Of the quarter, it is Carmac King who gets the nod to continue his terrific form since arriving to Limerick. Timmy Carmody’s runner, trained by Owen McKenna, posted a respectable 29.72 in the opening round but he took off last time out when blitzing his rivals to post 29.56. On that evidence, the Shelbourne Champion 550 winner is back to his very best and that is formidable for his very talented rivals. Drawn in trap four, the son of Droopys Sydney could have to play second fiddle to Knockeen Dazzler early on, however, he gets the verdict to follow his rival around the turn before picking him up late on. The aforementioned ‘Dazzler’ remains a leading player to repeat the feat of Clonbrien Treaty by adding the St. Leger to his Kirby triumph. Reeled in late by In Good Time last time out, Daniel O’Rahilly’s charge will need to be on his game in order to return to winning ways, however, that is far from beyond the realms of possibility and it is a case of ruling him out at your peril. One of the standout performers in this year’s renewal has been Jaytee Craze. Paul Hennessy’s runner of course came into the event with that 27.89 trial, however, he has franked that form in the opening two rounds and remains unbeaten heading into tonight’s quarter final. A blistering display of power saw ‘Craze’ reel in Barefoot On Fire last weekend and having been handed a favourable draw in two, he is another who will be expected to run a huge race for connections. Coolavanny Otto has yet to produce his very best around Limerick but it’s testament to the dog that he remains in the final twenty-four. Drawn in red, he has the draw to run a big race but will need to shave at least fifty spots off his clocks thus far in the stake in order to figure. Both McNeill and Jades Rocket will require luck to make the frame but McNeill in particular could pick up the pieces should any traffic emerge.

REX CAN BOUNCE BACK

In the second quarter final, Ballyhimikin Rex can bounce back from defeat last weekend for Billy and John Dunne.

Ballyhimikin Rex had to settle for third in a red-hot second round contest last time out, however, displayed massive pace nonetheless to recover from a bump that would have ended the chances of most trackers. The son of Ballyhimikin Jet has huge power in every department and the fact he has been drawn further out tonight in trap four, he could get loose in the early yards. Should this be the case, there will only be one outcome as there is little doubt that he remains one of the fastest in training when allowed to express his engine. Ventry Faith gets the vote to emerge as the main threat to ‘Rex’. Owen McKenna’s charge has just the eight starts under his belt and although failing to raise a flag thus far, has shown massive speed in defeat and his 29.55 estimate suggests as much. The son of Droopys Sydney is drawn in red tonight and that could be the catalyst for massive showing from Padraig O’Murchu’s tracker. Miami King is another star. Another that remains unbeaten in the Classic, the son of Ballymac Vic, trained by Garry Dempsey has yet to set the Leger alight, however, the fact he remains unbeaten points to his obvious chances of outright triumph. A brilliant display from halfway last time out saw his power to victory over Coolavanny Otto, however, he will need to brush up early doors if he is to remain unbeaten in the event. The outside duo of Drombeg Rio and Sogne In Grande are hardly without their chance either. The former is two from two in the event and Evan McAuliffe’s tracker has been flawless on both occasions, posting 29.65 and 29.80 respectively. A similar performance will be required from his tricky trap five berth, however, he has no forlorn hope of advancing to the semis. The same can be said of Sogne In Grande. Jack Kennelly’s charge never runs a bad race and is a likely leader from six. The son of Laughil Blake steps out for the fifty-first time later tonight and it certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see this versatile tracker make the frame. The remaining runner is Newport Pier in three. Owned by Galway connections, the Mullins-Curtin-Synd, this lady has a massive engine and again, has the clocks to really stake a claim for a qualification spot. That said, she will likely require traffic up front along with the gaps to open in order to figure.

DON’T SLEEP ON BONNIE

After a hugely eye-catching performance last weekend, Roanna Bonnie returns in the third quarter final tonight and could emerge a back-to-back winner for Patrick Sheehan and Breda Boyle.

Roanna Bonnie may remain a huge price for outright glory but she defied her 14/1 starting price last time out to reel in Clonbrien Treaty in pretty comfortable fashion. The daughter of Good News, a full sister to Boylesports Bob, has huge gears from halfway and this was on full display on that occasion when relishing the big galloping circuit that Limerick has to offer. Drawn in four this time around, this isn’t an ideal draw for ‘Bonnie’, however, this is certainly the most favourable quarter final and she could race prominently before taking charge late on. Of her rivals, In Good Time is the likely favourite and Brendan Maunsell’s charge showed what he is about when reeling in Knockeen Dazzler last time out. The Tralee track record breaker posted 29.62 on that occasion but make no mistake, he has plenty more in the tank in terms of going faster. Drawn in five, he is a possible leader this time around and this being the case, the son of Droopys Sydney will no doubt set a blistering gallop. Drombeg Pearl is another who can’t be discounted for Evan McAuliffe. She rocketed from boxes last weekend to post a rapid 2.78 sectional and any repeat of that will without doubt put her in the driving seat, however, that may be required in order to advance. Housed in three, ‘Pearl’ clocked 29.70 on that occasion despite being reeled in by In Good Time and Knockeen Dazzler and on that performance, she definitely has a life. Star Molly was also impressive in defeat seven days ago. Forced to settle for second in behind the formidable Unanimouspanther, Patrick Everard’s bitch posted 29.69 in behind and that was a career best in that respect for the September 21’ whelp. A repeat performance will be necessary once again, however, it’s always wise to follow a bitch in form. The remaining runners are Hazelhill Bucko and Kilcolgan Whitney, both of which have performed admirably thus far, but will need to step-up their efforts in order to advance. In that respect, Hazelhill Bucko looks to have plenty in his locker and would be a very popular qualifier for Lucy Roche in six.

****

Outside of the St. Leger action, the card will be dominated by seven opening round heats of the €3,800 to the winner Con Murphy Bookmakers A1 525, which has been kindly sponsored by Tim Spike Murphy. Given the prizemoney on offer, this stake is sure to be hotly contested and a summary of the results will be available tomorrow morning. Of the heats however, the opening heat looks the standout. The likes of Harlequin James, Grouchos Scooby and Starson Frankie all line-out but they may have to go some to defeat the Gerry Holian-trained Mrbluewood in four. A winner in 29.08 on his last outing at Galway, the son of Airmount Nando posted a rapid 18.62 in qualifying at Limerick and based on that, could be the one to beat in outright terms.