TOP-CLASS ACTION AT LIMERICK AS VELVET LANDS THE FEATURE
Peter Farrell
There were a number of top-class performances at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the likes of Ballinakill Alf, Superfast Gorden, Velvet Duchess and Annagh Bailey all posted sensational figures on route to success.
On what was a top-class card, there was no shortage of exceptional performances on the night and it kicked off in terrific style with Ballinakill Alf in a red-hot Open 350. The 2/1 second favourite behind the terrific Seven Beach, the Graham Holland-trained speedster was the first head to show at traprise and his orange jacket raced into the opening bend ahead of Seven Beach and Bobsleigh Syd. Tracking expertly at this point, the son of Pestana and Newinn Madam opened up a healthy advantage and although Jennifer O’Donnell’s charge did close the gap in the closing yards, ‘Alf’ was still one and a half lengths to the good crossing the line. The time was a majestic 18.43.
GORDEN GOES SUPERFAST
The highlight on the card was the final of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525, however, prior to that there was an exceptional performance from the very pacey Superfast Gorden.
Jointly owned by Eamonn Doyle and Mark Hatton, this December 21’ whelp has always looked a special talent, highlighted by numerous phenomenal displays at the likes of Shelbourne and Tralee. However, he really turned it on last night at Limerick with a demolition job over a very talented field. Running from trap six, the 2/1 chance broke smartly from his outside berth and opened up a seven length lead down the back from Fantasy Moll in second. Drawing clear with every stride, the impressive son of Broadstrand Bono posted a sizzling 15.96 to the third turn before staying on expertly to win by ten lengths from Bouncing Lad in second. The time, as expected, was a sensational 28.09.
VELVET DUCHESS IS A LITTLE SPECIAL
On a card featuring a number of outstanding contests, the feature was the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 and this was landed in supreme style by Ella Buckley’s Velvet Duchess.
A grand-daughter of former Oaks winner, Velvet All Jam, it certainly looks like Tadgh and Ella have another potential star on their hands with Velvet Duchess, who produced a display right from the top drawer in the €1,000 feature. Initially, it looked like a wide-open contest but in truth, it proved anything but, as the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Velvet Nannykate turned this into a demolition job. 2/1 at the off, ‘Duchess’ made her intentions felt from the off with a swift exit from trap three, Thereafter, it was all over barring incident as she opened an unassailable lead over her rivals to come home ten lengths clear of Ballysloe Lola in second. The time was a rapid 28.18 and keep an eye for the exploits of this explosive lady in the 2024 as she looks like she has scratched the surface in terms of her potential.
TRIAL STAKE SUCCESS FOR BUD
The first Con & Annie Kirby Trial Stake of 2024 was also down for decision and this was landed by the even money favourite, Toolmaker Bud.
A recent finalist in one of the hottest Rural Kennels Unraced in recent memory, the Robert Gleeson-trained Toolmaker Bud was expected to take some stopping and despite several pieces of early skirmishing, the son of Droopys Natalia proved too strong for his rivals. Recovering from first bend trouble, ‘Bud’ powered the back before staying on stoutly to record a four length win over Knockeen Dawn in second. The time was 28.93.
HUKUM MAKES ALL
The Canine Hydrotherapy Centre Sallins Open 750 also featured a fine field but it was Hukum who led from the outset for Adam Dunford.
A red-hot performer over both four and six bends, Hukum was installed as the 4/5 favourite and he justified that price-tag in making every yard. Fast away from trap three, the son of Good News outpaced Nocturnal Katla to open a healthy lead passing the stands for the first time. Soon drawing clear to open a ten length lead, Millroad Girl made fast inroads in the closing yards as Hukum wanted the line, however, it was too little too late for ‘Millroad’ as Hukum accounted for a two length victory. The time was a fast 41.65.
BAILEY CONTINUES PURPLE PATCH
Dan and Peter Stackpoole are getting a fine tune out of Annagh Bailey at present and the strapping tracker built on a brilliant recent display at Clonmel with a scintillating performance over the 550-yard trip last night.
Always held in the highest regard, Annagh Bailey is one of the best in the land when on-song and the 6/4 chance made light work of a top field last night to produce some special figures. Running from his favoured striped jacket, this was all-over at traprise as ‘Bailey’ paced up brilliantly on the outside to swoop the turn and take a healthy lead into the back. From here, it was very much a case of one-way traffic as the son of Droopys Sydney and Bellmore Fantasy stayed on in his usual fashion to record a six length victory over Boss Go in second. The time was a sensational 29.47.