A TREBLE FOR TEAM HOLLAND IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE CORK CUP
Barry Drake
The 2024 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup got off to a flying start in Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
Graham Holland enjoyed a fantastic night, sending out three brilliant winners in the opening round.
Riverside Pingu went quickest on the clock when winning heat three for Rachel Holland. Hitting the front early on, the powerful winner displayed bundles of speed up front as he pulled right away for a comfortable success. A superb 28.37 winning from the 5-2 shot, ten and a half lengths clear of My Darling Girl. (Pic right) Willie Rigney (Time Greyhound Nutrition) making a presentation to Nicky Holland after the success of Faypoint Susie in the opening round of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Cork Cup).
Three races later, Romeo Steel scored for the Riverside kennels and owner David Firmager. The 2-1 winner displayed plenty of back straight speed to hit the front and the August puppy kept on well to beat West Cork Lass, by a length, in 28.87.
In the following race, Faypoint Susie completed the Holland treble when the even-money favourite made the most of the drop in class to return to winning ways for owner Patricia Flanagan. Making the opening bend in front, the classy performer kept finding in front as she pulled out all the stops to beat Da Bold Freddie, by two and a half lengths, in 28.66.
IN OTHER HEATS
In the opening heat, Devs Diva came home in front to win for trainer David Hickey. In the ownership of Conor Devitt, the even-money favourite took up the running and the opening corners and she just held the quick late run of Lads Panther. A short head the margin, in 29.17.
In the second heat, Millridge Nadia returned to top form for Donal O'Mahony. Always prominent, the 3-1 shot hit top gear from halfway and the powerful tracker pulled clear to win in style. A fantastic 28.61 winning run, six and a half lengths clear of Lads Jasmine.
Heat four went the way of Footfield Peach for trainer John Linehan. In the ownership of Martin Hagan, the 4-5 favourite was recording back-to-back wins, posting 28.49 when winning with plenty to spare. In front early on, the strong lady pulled six lengths clear of Stellenbosch, in 28.49.
In the ownership of Eamonn Morton and Terry Killick, Fifteen Bold recorded five straight wins with another brave winning display in heat six. Always in the mix, the 2-1 winner stayed on well to beat Elite Tom, by a neck, in 29.06. A magnificent five straight wins from the in-form winner.
WOW PERFORMANCE
Sponsored by Paddy O'Donovan and in association with the Curraheen Park Supporters Club, Coill Bhui Wow put on a smashing performance to win the Maura O'Donovan Memorial Open 525 for Sarah Shannon (Pic below). Connections enjoyed a lovely win with Burgess Jack on Friday night and this made it a great weekend for the Shannon kennels. A top class 3.22 sectional put the classy winner in front early and in truth, it was all one-way traffic up front. A high class 28.44 winning run, five and a half lengths clear of Churchtown Syd.
STAR PERFORMANCE
Racing concluded with another outstanding winning performance, Grouchos Vic delivering back-to-back wins around Cork for David Carroll and Luke O'Connell. Showing lovely early speed to win the all-important early lead, the 4-6 favourite put on another great show as he displayed huge speed throughout to beat Dellser Bells, by four lengths, in a top class, 28.20, which was quickest on the night.
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