LAUGHIL ROY ROMPS TO VICTORY IN JOHN RAFFERTY MEMORIAL 330

Peter Farrell

The final of the John Rafferty Memorial Open 330 was the highlight at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last night and it was Laughil Roy who built on his impressive spin last time out to run out a comfortable winner of the feature.

The final was dealt a bit of a blow with the withdrawal of Greatdistraction, who was exceptional in winning his semi final last week, but it still produced a top-class winner in the shape of Laughil Roy. Indeed, the Michael O’Donovan runner, jointly owned by Paul and Mary Jennings, landed his semi final in 17.75 .10s and he was to clock identical figures last night as he romped to the €750 first prize. Sent off the even money favourite, Laughil Roy broke level with Courty Girl early on but he immediately pulled clear of his rival to take a comfortable lead into the opener from the reserve, Windmill Breeze, in second. Railing like a cat around the bottom two bends, the son of Droopys Jet and Laughil Irene galloped to an easy, three lengths clear of the fast-finishing Courty Girl in second. The time was 17.75 .10s.

THURLES RACECOURSE 570 SEMIS

Elsewhere on the card, the two semi finals of the Thurles Racecourse A4 570 served as the supporting act and Montore Brian (Ardnasool Jet - Montore Sally) made it a hat-trick of wins to go quickest.

Owned by James Treacy, Montore Brian was the 6/4 favourite at the off but it was Cabra Cloud who bolted to the front early on. However, Montore Brian turned second and within a matter of strides he took control with Dazzes Beauts also showing interest. The leading duo battled it out for supremacy thereafter but it was Montore Brian who showed the greater determination to cross the line a head clear of the strong finishing Lisdaleen Range in second. The time was 32.34 .20s.

In the second semi, Code Rubble justified her 7/4 starting price as she too came from off-the-pace to score. Owned by Jennifer Lee, Code Rubble was moderately away from trap four as Dripping Wet made the early running from three. Making steady progress down the back, Code Rubble moved menacingly alongside the leader approaching the penultimate and she took control rounding the bottom two corners. From here, the daughter of Ballymac Vic and Isle Of Capri held off the strong finish from Luner Lestrange on the outside to record a half length victory. The time was 32.61 .20s.

Incidentally, the above victory was the second part of a double on the night for Jennifer Lee, who scored earlier in the card with Code Skye. In a different fashion to her kennel companion, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Boherna Abbie took control at the opener and never looked back thereafter as she galloped to a one and a half length victory over Chloe Girl in second. The time was 29.60 .20s.

BLISTERING BOGGER

In the concluding race of the night, there was a brilliant performance on show from Bogger Dusty as Liam Peacock continues to churn out the winners.

A 2/1 chance at the off, Bogger Dusty has some fine form around Kilkenny and the May 21’ whelp outlined this in emphatic style in the closing contest. Running from trap four, Bogger Dusty broke evenly but displayed sizzling early pace to swoop the opener and take a three length lead into the back straight. Private Jet gave chase in second but the Bogger Dusty had already doubled his advantage approaching the penultimate turn. Thereafter, it was a straightforward night’s work for this impressive son of Droopys Biker and Mustang Swift and he sauntered to a facile, six length victory over Private Jet in second. The time was a fast 29.00 .20s.