FUTURE STAR FREDDIE MARCHES ON AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

With the dust now settled on last week’s bumper weekend at Clonmel, the top-class performances kept on coming at the Tipperary venue on Friday night with March On Freddie seriously impressive.

Trained by Rachel Wheeler for G. E Watson, March On Freddie was a mere sixteen months heading into his ON2/ON3 525 contest and he could not have been more impressive, justifying his 5/4 favouritism in superb style. Coming into the event fresh from a modest 29.72 qualifying effort, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow emerged from a level start to show electric early speed from his wide berth in six. From here, the puppy showed blistering speed down the back to post a 16.15 sectional and he maintained his powerful gallop all the way to the winning line. Eight and a half lengths better off than Never Too Late in second, the time was a rapid 28.44 .10s; a serious prospect going forward.

ELSEWHERE

Adam Dunford recorded a double on the card and this was kick-started by Cloncunny Cash in race two, owned by Jim Scully. The even money jolly, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Cloncunny Peecee drifted to the middle of the field from two early on but went through the eye of the needle at the opener to shoot clear into the back. Holding off the strong finishing Goldmine Duke thereafter, she crossed the line one and a half lengths better off, in a time of 29.21 .10s.

The double was completed in race four as Dangan Wee Girl scored a first career victory for owner Michael Croke. The 4/6 favourite, ‘Wee Girl’ was on the receiving end of a slick exit from four and she took a five length advantage into the back ahead of Mohane Roxy in second. The latter did make a fist of it in the closing stages, however, it was too little too late as the daughter of Pestana and Ardera Wee Sal crossed the line with three lengths to spare. The time was 28.83 .10s.

Raceway Sydney (Droopys Sydney - Raceway Recruit)got back to winning ways as he dipped under the 29-second barrier in race seven. Fast away from six, the 2/1 favourite was outpaced by Wilderness Hades early on, however, remained close to his rival racing into the back. A sitting duck at this point, ‘Sydney’ quickly took control off the final turn and Patrick O’Brien and Emer Dunne’s charge claimed a half length victory, in a time of 28.89 .10s.

The final greyhound to break the 29-second barrier on the card was Autumn Tom, jointly owned by Lynda Butland and Killian Power. Running well of late, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Autumn Jenny took charge off the second turn from trap two and he raced clear to see off Tullovin Bale by one and a half lengths in second. The time was 28.74 .10s.