EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE FROM RISING CASTLE
Peter Farrell
Thurles Greyhound Stadium hosted a ten race card last night and there was no doubting who stole the show as Rising Castle produced a masterclass of sprinting as he posted a sensational 17.59 .10s over the 330-yard trip.
Owned by the Fleming-Family-Syndicate, Rising Castle was a winner just before Christmas at Thurles as he flew to a 17.70 victory and he subsequently followed that up with a smart victory at HQ where he beat the likes of Irish National Sprint favourite, Corbrack Prince. However, after suffering two defeats thereafter in some hot company, the son of Zero Ten and Satin Jessie returned to the Tipperary circuit last night and he was sent off a 2/1 chance in a race that contained the likes of Epic Boy and Cabra Sonic to name a few. Flashing from trap two, Rising Castle showed brilliant acceleration to outpace his rivals in the opening exchanges and take a three length victory into the opening turn from Cabra Sonic in second. Not breaking stride rounding the bottom two turns, Rising Castle quickly doubled his lead on the run for home and he stormed across the line five lengths better off than Epic Boy in second. The time, as mentioned, was a blistering 17.59 .10s. A terrific effort from a greyhound who is quickly becoming one of the top speedsters in the Country.
BREATHTAKING QUICKEST OVER THE STANDARD
The fastest run over the standard trip on the night came from the Kim Taylor-owned Breathtaking in race eight.
Returning after a short break, Breathtaking was last seen when running Railteen Dara to a short-head in 28.74 back in October and she showed signs of a return to her very best when making all from trap three. Flashing from traps, the 5/2 chance took no prisoners early on as she led comfortably into the opening corner. Holding a two length lead over Abigails Power entering the back, the latter looked a potent threat heading into the penultimate turn but was forced to check, allowing Breathtaking to maintain her advantage out in front. Staying on gallantly with the winning line in sight, the daughter of Good News and Ballymac Abigail held on in the closing stages to cross the line a length better off than Abigails Power in second. The time was a swift 29.28 .30s.
CAMPION DOUBLE
Paraic Campion has started 2022 in some style and he claimed another double last night as both Ballysloe Spark and Brooklyn Girl notched victories.
The first of the winners came in race two as Ballysloe Spark made every yard of the running for owner William Lawlor. Running from trap one, the 5/2 chance broke best of all from his inside pitch and despite swinging drastically wide on the run-up, he swooped the opener corner to go clear. Holding an unassailable advantage down the back, the son of Magical Bale and Goldmine Lily was seven lengths ahead of nearest rival, Cloneen Wildcat, crossing the line. The time was 30.03.
The double was completed in race nine as Brooklyn Girl overcame a very poor start to claim an eighth career victory. Running from trap two, the daughter of Cloran Paddy and Coolavanny Park was sluggish into stride but she tracked expertly around opener two corners to take control as the others found traffic. Holding a comfortable advantage midway down the back, Stephen and Chris O’Grady’s runner maintained her lead all the way to the winning line. Three lengths clear of Code Hill in second, the time was 29.79.