SUPPORTING ACT AT CLONMEL SERVES UP SOME FINAL DISPLAYS
Peter Farrell
Ahead of a huge night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium tonight with the Rural Kennels Open Unraced going down for decision, the Suirside venue also hosted three sweepstake finals on Saturday night and there were also some fine performances on the undercard.
The first of the sweepstake finals on offer was the Talbot Hotel A3 525 and this was landed in predictable fashion by the Gerard Gubbins-owned Hollyhill Debbie (Droopys Sydney - Hollyhill Romeo). Trained by Paraic Campion, this lady clocked a brilliant 28.73 last time out but she had to overcome some ropey moments to claim the €900 prize. The luckless Vigorous Stella led early in the contest from trap six but after meeting traffic, Hollyhill Debbie came through well to score by one length from the fast-finishing Bright Jacklyn in second. The time was 29.27 .10s.
The final of the Hotel Minella 300 offered a winner’s purse of €700 and this proved a thrilling contest as Chamberlain Pat (Pat C Sabbath - Confey Eye) held on gamely to score. Owned by David O’Neill, ‘Pat’ could only manage third last time out but he upped his game with a fast start from three to lead. Thereafter, it proved a thrilling contest as Giglis Mystic made a real fist of it in second, however, it was too little too late as Chamberlain Pat held on to win by a neck. The time was 16.89.
The last of the finals on offer was the Elite Canine Transport A4 525 and this €900 decider went the way of Tailteann Syd who made every yard of the running. Owned and trained by David Hickey, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glenlee was on-song at traprise as he bolted from four to take a healthy lead into the back. Thereafter, it was always going to take a monumental effort to reel in the leader and although Minella Wildcat made a decent fist of it in second, however, it was all in vain as ‘Syd’ crossed the line with three and a half lengths to spare. The time was 29.14 .10s.
ROBS QUICKEST
On the undercard, the performance of the night came from Robs Hero who gave Paraic Campion a quick-fire double on the card.
Owned by Osmond Bennett, Robs Hero was without a win since September of last year but he bounced back to winning ways in style with an emphatic win in race five. An A2 contest, the son of Boyhero and Road Queen made a bright start from trap two and he drew clear midway down the back to open a healthy advantage over Chasing Maggie. Showing no signs of surrendering his lead thereafter, ‘Robs’ crossed the line with four and a half lengths to spare over Glenbervie Rosy in second. The time was a fast 28.78 .10s.