A SENSATIONAL START TO THE GREYHOUND & PETWORLD JUVENILE CLASSIC AT TRALEE
Barry Drake
MAGICAL FLYER (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Angel) set the standard in the opening round of the Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic at Tralee last night.
It really was a wonderful night of racing action, and the standard was sensational.
In the ownership of Alice and Patrick Guilfoyle, the Patrick Guilfoyle trained Magical Flyer, a June puppy, justified his price tag of even money in heat six.
Quickest into stride, Magical Flyer flew around the opening turns in total control. It was clear he was on for a big run as he was flying down the back straight. Ballymac Leon was showing plenty of foot in behind, but the winner was strong throughout. A spectacular winning performance, clocking the best of the night, a stunning 28.23. Four and a half lenghts back to Ballymac Leon in second. Russmur Blake eleven lengths behind the runner up in third.
ALL ABOUT COOLAVANNY SHADO
Heat five was all about one dog, Coolavanny Shado (Droopys Sydney-Yahoo Perlena).
Owned and trained by Noel Hehir, the June puppy, a 2-1 chance in the betting ring, broke best and he was soon in top gear. Pulling clear heading down the back, the classy youngster railed well throughout, and he went on to score in a fabulous 28.28.
There was plenty of trouble in behind late on, but it made no difference as the winner was a country mile clear. Mullingarshuffle got second, fourteen lengths back with nine lengths back to Ballinabola Ed in third.
DOUBLE FOR BUCKLEY
Trainer Pat Buckley landed last year's classic with Singalong Sally and the Capawhite man is in contention for more success in the Kingdom this year.
Buckley was on double form. The first to oblige was Lenson On Ice (Droopys Sydney-Sizzling Daisy) who is owned by Austin Whelan and Len Ponder. Sent to traps as the 4-6 market leader, the June puppy was in total control early on. It was really messy in behind and the smart winner took full advantage up front. At the line, he was six and a half lengths clear of Millridge Andy, in 29.00. Nine and a half lengths back in third was Pac You Patti.
BRIGHT SCHOLAR
The double was complete in heat five after Glengar Scholar (Burgess Bucks-Burgess Madam) finished with a flourish to land the spoils.
Mustang Jet set a really strong early gallop, but the 4-6 winner was always within two lengths. Making his move at the final corner, the June puppy put on a big finish, just getting up on the line to beat the early paced runner up for owner Kenny Glen. A short head the difference, in 28.53, with two lengths back to Ardfert Josie back in third place.
MASSIVE ALL ROUND GEARS
Da Bold Freddie (Ballymac Bolger-Ballymac Belle) showed massive all-round gears to win heat two.
Trained by Michael Corr for owner Tommy McDonagh, the July puppy rocketed from traps to lead. Coolavanny Jaffa missed a beat early, but he was showing big pace heading into the opening corner. A July puppy, the winner was always in front, showing big gears throughout, the exciting young talent pulled out all the stops in the closing stages. A most impressive winning performance, three and a half lengths clear of Hoodoo Brown who got the better of Coolavanny Hoffa by a length for second place. The time was a brilliant 28.39.
ONE WAY TRAFFIC
It was all one-way traffic in the opening heat, Droopys Edison (Burgess Bucks-Droopys Blossom) winning in great style for trainer Robert Gleeson and owners Michael Dunphy and Paul Allen.
The August puppy, an even-money favourite, broke well and he took over from Nashword at the opening corner. Taking off heading down the back straight and with plenty of trouble in behind, the bright prospect moved a long way clear. With the outcome never in any doubt, the winner cruised to a wide margin success, in 28.48. Eleven lengths back to Ballymac Ben with just a short head back to Nice Diva in third.
IMPRESSIVE
Despite taking an early bump, Droopys Beaufort still managed to impress in the closing heat.
Trained by Johnny Linehan for owner Sean Dunphy, the 3-1 shot was moving inwards early and he still had the gears to slip around in front. The August puppy was finding plenty in front, keeping on well, he beat Garfiney Legend, by two and a half lengths, in 28.63. A length back to Ballymac Kurtis in third place.