SUPER MODEL QUICKEST IN DROOPYS CHAMPION BITCH STAKE
Peter Farrell
It was a stacked card at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night with the semi finals of the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Stake serving as the feature.
Of the semis, the Patrick Guilfoyle-trained Fashion Model set the standard with a blistering performance and the Classic winning handler ensured he will be doubly represented in the decider with Mustang Fever also securing qualification in the opening semi final in behind Giddyup Maggie, who duly made it back-to-back wins in the prestigious event.
There were 7/4 joint favourites in the second semi final with Anna On Faya and Glengar Jasmine both expected to go close, however, Fashion Model, who has shown immense speed in her short career thus far, produced a masterclass to head into the feature as a leading player. Indeed, Anna On Faya broke best of all from blue and led on the run-up from the improving Glengar Jasmine, with Fashion Model looming large on the outside. The aforementioned duo flew up either side of ‘Anna’ down the back and space was at a premium as Murt Leahy’s bitch was squeezed out of contention on the approach to the penultimate turn. At this point, Fashion Model was always going to take some stopping given her stamina superiority and the daughter of Good News and Coolavanny Chick duly upped the ante around the bottom two bends to emerge one and a half lengths better off that the staying-on Borna Flame in second. The remaining qualifier was Puppy Oaks winner Singalong Dolly and the time was a rapid 28.85 .20s.
MAGGIE DOUBLES UP
Prior to that, Giddyup Maggie maintained her unbeaten run in the stake with another polished performance of Louise Whall.
Reigning Tipperary Cup winner Bobsleigh Dream went off the 11/10 favourite as she bid to bounce back from her opening round defeat, however, Giddyup Maggie had other ideas as she pinged out to make all. 4/1 at the off, ‘Maggie’ overcame a tricky berth in five with a brilliant display of early speed to go one and a half lengths clear of Turkish Delight and Mustang Fever. The latter duo certainly bridged the gap around the bottom two bends; however, it was all in vain as Giddup Maggie, a daughter of Skywalker Logan and Bogger Sunny, found a second wind to cross the line two lengths clear of Mustang Fever in second. The final qualifier was Bobsleigh Dream as she finished with a wet sail to claim third. The time was a fast 28.98 .20s.
PAS BAR UPPERCHURCH
In the semi finals of the Pas Bar, Upperchurch, A5 525, it was Carneys Goldmine who went quickest as he justified 4/6 favouritism to make it three wins on the spin for Dick Purcell and Francis Tobin.
Trained by Richard Purcell, Carneys Goldmine is certainly in the midst of a purple patch and he is most definitely a puppy going places as he showed his superiority over his rivals. Running from trap four, ‘Carneys’ was led early on by Yousonofathena and the leader took a comprehensive lead into the back from the jolly. However, the July 22’ son of Cabra Firmino and Goldmine Lily quickly zoomed past the leader when straightening up and thereafter, he drew clear of the field to win by eight lengths from Hows Things Now in second. The time was 28.92 .20s. Incidentally, litter brother Goldmine Oscar landed the opening semi for Purcell as he produced a late flurry to win by a short-head in 29.00 .20s.
ALL ABOUT BULL RUN
Elsewhere on the card, the two semi finals of the Dinny Mackey Memorial A3 525 also featured and Bull Run Buggy (Magical Bale – Bull Run Ballad) built on his winning performance last time out with another convincing display.
Owned by James Quinlan, this greyhound has now won three of his last four starts and he will certainly go off favourite in the decider in seven days’ time. 4/5 at the off, the red-jacketed runner made a swift exit to record a 1.71 sectional and he ran to a virtual solo as he crossed the line with one and a half lengths to spare over Astro Bale in second. The time was 28.99 .20s.