HILLSIDE FLIER GOES QUICKEST IN BALLYMAC COOPER SECOND ROUND

Peter Farrell

After a closely matched opening round of the Ballymac Cooper @ Stud A3 525, the second round action continued at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night as four heats went down for decision.

The Pat Horgan-owned Hillside Flier was a well-beaten runner-up in the opening round but the coursing-bred daughter of Vale Vale Flyer and Winter Hillside sprang a 6/1 shock in heat three to go quickest. It was Collacilla who held the early initiative as she broke best of all from trap six but that lead was short-lived as Hillside Flier was in close proximity to take charge midway down the back straight. Meanwhile, the favourite, Cronody Cupid, began to rally as he improved into second place and both greyhounds were to serve up a close battle thereafter. However, Hillside Flier wasn’t to be denied on this occasion as she stayed on stoutly to cross the line with just a length to spare over Cronody Cupid in second, while Collacilla claimed third to progress into next week’s semi finals. The time was a good 28.98.

ROUNDING UP THE HEATS

Next best on the clock came in the opening heat of the night as Hollyhill Sonny built on his impressive second place finish last week. Owned by Gerard Gubbins and trained by Paraic Campion, the son of Kinloch Brae and Boom Time was much better into stride this week from trap one as he held all the aces approaching the opening corner. Maintaining a good gallop thereafter, positions changed on numerous occasions in behind and Toolmaker Beach made a real fist of it to get to within half a length at the winning line. A further four and a half lengths back to Another Blonde, who recovered well from early trouble, the time for the 2/1 favourite was 29.09.

Ballymac Jet showed big speed to the halfway mark last week and he produced another masterclass of front-running for Liam Dowling in heat two. Installed the even money favourite, Ballymac Jet didn’t come away as well as last week but once he hit the ground he showed immediate acceleration to create daylight. A son of Droopys Jet and Ballymac Scala, Ballymac Jet set a strong gallop thereafter and despite Braveheart Billy making rapid inroads in the closing stages, he still had a length and a half in hand crossing the line. The time was 29.17 as Monserrate claimed the final qualification spot in third.

The second greyhound to make it back-to-back wins in the competition came in the concluding heat of the night as Blastoff Sia claimed victory. Owned by Owen Greene, the July 19’ was only moderately into stride wearing the blue jacket and she sat in fourth approaching the opening corner. However, making the most of her inside pitch, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Blastoff Fizz, a 4/1 chance, swept up the rail to take charge entering the back and she subsequently crossed the line with a length to spare over the determined, Faypoint Alex, in second. The final qualifying position was landed by Glengar Manus as the clock returned 29.24.

A BEAUTY FROM KYLETAUN

Elsewhere on the card there were a number of smart performances and the fastest time over the standard trip came in the final contest of the night as Kyletaun Beauty won comfortably.

Owned by Joe Williams, Kyletaun Beauty was a 4/1 chance prior to the off and she broke well from five to nestle in behind early leader, Mohane Vicky. However, after rounding the second turn brilliantly, Kyletaun Beauty took charge upon entrance to the back straight and from here, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Here Comes Pa bound clear of her rivals. Powering to a nine length victory over Nofixedabode in second, the time was a rapid 28.62.

IMPRESSIVE CAPTAIN

Sean Hayes looks to have picked up a very talented greyhound as Second Captain won in impressive fashion in race ten. Installed as an even money favourite, the April 20’ whelp was without a win prior to the start but he broke smartly from three and never looked in any danger of that run continuing. Setting a fierce gallop throughout, the son of Crash and Express Buster crossed the line with five lengths to spare over Moanteen Cindy in second as the clock returned a brisk 28.70.

STAKER JUST ABOUT

The remaining greyhound to dip under 29-seconds came in race five as Boomin Staker landed his A2 event in narrow fashion. Fast away from trap four, the Amanda Meade-owned greyhound set a scorching gallop throughout and although challenged by Adamant Approach for the majority of the contest, the son of Laughil Blake and Knocksouna Lady held on, by a neck, crossing the line. The time for the 5/1 outsider of the pack was a swift 28.90.