DOUBLE FOR CAMPION AS SIX SWEEPSTAKE FINALS COME TO A CONCLUSION AT CLONMEL

DOUBLE FOR CAMPION AS SIX SWEEPSTAKE FINALS COME TO A CONCLUSION AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were no fewer than six sweepstake finals down for decision last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and Paraic Campion was in particularly good form as he landed two of the stake finals on offer.

The first final landed by Campion was the Cosy Kennels Unraced 525 as Splendid Janey (Confident Rankin - Vivaro Sansa)led home a one-two for the Tipperary owner and trainer. Boasting a winner’s prize of €855, Splendid Janey was a 4/1 chance at the off and although quickly into stride from trap three, she was led on the run-up by litter brother, Splendid Fellow. Holding a narrow advantage down the back, Splendid Janey made her move around the bottom two bends and she stayed on strongly to lead home her litter comrade by one and a half lengths. The time was 28.95 .10s.

The sweepstake double was completed later in the card when Freedom Reader built on his semi final victory to land the Hotel Minella A3 525. A winner of his semi final when reeling in Coolanorans Best, Freedom Reader went to traps as the 6/4 favourite and it was a familiar tale as Coolanorans Best was gifted a virtual solo up the rails. Freedom Reader sat fourth down the back but the son of Magical Bale and Mustang Eva was making rapid progress at this stage and looked a potent threat. Steering a wide course around the bottom two bends, Freedom Reader, owned by VHR syndicate, came home powerfully in the closing stages to score by one and a half lengths from Goldmine Mono in second. The time was 28.98 .10s.

ROUNDING UP THE FINALS

The opening final of the night was the Clona Kennels A5/A6 525 and this was landed in make-all fashion by Giddyup Biker (Droopys Biker - The Other Niamh). Owned by Louise Whall, the 4/1 shot took an absolute flier from trap four and this proved the key to success. Taking a two length lead into the back straight from Cooldevane Star, the latter kept the leader hornets throughout but he could never get on terms as Giddyup Bike stuck to his task well to land the €800 first prize. A smart display, the time was 29.06 .10s.

The Talbot Hotel S4/S5 300 was next up in race three and there were no shocks here as the David McGrath-owned Badminton Best recorded a runaway victory. Sent to traps an even money favourite after his impressive semi final performance, the son of Ballymac Best and Badminton Baby was first to show from trap six and immediately excelled into the bend to create daylight. Extending his lead around the bottom two bends, the talented tracker stormed up the Clonmel straight to record a seven length victory over Slaneyside Steve in second. The time was a slick 16.33.

The Lets hear it for the ‘IceMan’ A4 525 was next on the agenda in race five and this was landed by the 6/4 favourite, Emers Archie. Owned by JJ Dunne, Emers Archie landed his semi final in good style and made full use of a plumb draw in one dispute the run-up with Mantlehill Lady in trap two. From here, the son of Confident Rankin and Emers Ivy ran a terrific second bend to bustle his way to the front and it was lights out for his rivals thereafter as he maintained a powerful gallop all the way to the winning line. Drawing clear to win by a comfortable five lengths, the time was a 29.05 .10s.

The last of the finals on offer came in race seven and this was the Doolin Duke/Tullig Cryname @ Stud A3 Dual-Distance. Run over the extended 575-yard trip, there was to be an upset on the cards in this contest as the 4/1 shot, Lough Mizen, landed the spoils. Owned by Jack Molloy, the son of Sonic and Mill Felicity was led early on by Subtle Jill but showed the superior early gears to take a slender advantage around the opener. Subtle Jill came back for more down the back straight but after being forced to check at the penultimate, this proved decisive as Lough Mizen kicked on once more. Staying on stoutly on the long run for home, the €1,000 prize went to Molloy’s charge as he crossed the line with one and a half lengths to spare. The time was a rapid 31.58 .10s.

TOP-CLASS CARD

Elsewhere on the card, there were several top-class races on display and race four saw Ballyrobin Casca (Droopys Sydney - Jet Stream Proof) land an A1 525 in supreme style. Running from trap six, the 2/1 chance, owned by Frank Kiely and trained by Michael Meade, bolted from the outside to lead into the opening turn. Despite some talented rivals in behind, Ballyrobin Casca was never under any danger thereafter as he maintained a relentless gallop to win by five and a half lengths. The time was a red-hot 28.55 .10s.

The Split The Pot Open 300 went off in race six and Corbrack Prince returned to winning ways for Robert Gleeson and Paul Allen. One of the most talented speedsters in the land, Corbrack Prince was returning from a lengthy layoff but showed great determination to make it a winning return. Running from five, the 3/1 shot was quickest into stride but took a bump at the opener as Warrenstown Boy challenged strongly. The duo served up a thrilling contest thereafter with both negotiating the lead, however, Corbrack Prince got the nod by a neck crossing the line. The time was 16.39.

The Greyhound Make Great Pets A1 550 was the remaining race on the card and this was landed by local trainer Rachel Wheeler as Midfield Deano scored late on. Owned by John Newman, the son of Droopys Sydney and Midfield Diva was well away from one but it was Wizard who showed brilliant early speed to course around the outside and swoop to the front. Taking a three lengths lead down the back, Midfield Deano upped the ante at halfway and within a matter of strides was bearing down on Wizard approaching the penultimate. Rallying to the front at this point, Midfield Deano stayed on expertly in the closing yards to seal a three length victory over Wizard in second. The time was 30.15 .10s.