REDZER SETS STRONG STANDARD IN SAVANA OPENER
Peter Farrell
It was the start of a busy weekend at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night as each of the nine races featured sweepstake action and one of the most impressive performances came from Redzer Ruinart in the opening heat of the Savana Open 750.
With just the one heat of the Savana Open 750 down for decision last night, it was widely seen as a two-dog affair between Redzer Ruinart and Storys Peewee but despite the duo being the first two past the post, it was all one-way traffic as Redzer Ruinart ran out a comfortable winner.
Owned by Pat Reddan, Redzer Ruinart is a specialist marathon performer but she has also improved her trapping abilities in recent six-bend starts and this was evident in her trap-to-line victory last night. Quickest into stride from trap five, the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Redzer Ruby took no prisoners as she set a scorching gallop to make every post a winner out in front. Coming home eight lengths clear of Storys Peewee, who made little inroads on the winner, the time was a slick 42.11 and that sets up the remaining two first round heats nicely on Sunday night.
BOXER PACKS A PUNCH
Elsewhere on the card, the second round heats of the Horse & Hound A3/A4 Guys & Dolls 525 got underway and it was Coolavanny Boxer who went narrowly quickest for trainer Michael O’Donovan.
Owned by Martin Sheehy and Tom Hegarty, Coolavanny Boxer finished at speed to land his opening round assignment but he showed a different thread to his bow last night when making every yard of the running. Breaking best of all from trap four, the son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Perlena proved a class above his rivals as he set a strong gallop throughout to come home four lengths clear of Dee Bee Duke in second. The time was 28.93.
ROUNDING UP THE HEATS
Cluain Rocket was the fastest performer in the opening round and he once again proved too hot to handle in the first heat when running to a comprehensive victory. Jointly owned by Daniel and Tom Cronin, Cluain Rocket once again flashed from traps as his blue jacket led the field into the opening corner. From here, the son of Droopys Buick and Melodys Shine was never in danger of being caught as he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Byrneville Chris in second. The time was 28.95.
Hollyhill Jasmin was another first round scorer as the Paraic Campion-trained bitch also made it back-to-back victories. Owned by Gerard Gubbins, Hollyhill Jasmin came away well from three but was forced to play second fiddle early on behind Tis inthepost. However, showing good track craft, the daughter of Laughil Duke and Leevalley Dancer took charge off the second turn and she set a strong gallop thereafter to record a two length victory from Heathview Lynda in second. The time was 29.00.
The final heat of the night was landed by Violets Hill as she sealed a double on the night for Paraic Campion. Owned by Osmond Bennett, the April 20’ fawn took charge at the penultimate turn and despite the best efforts of Heathview Petra in the closing stages, the daughter of Magical Bale and Road Queen stuck to her guns to record a half length victory. The time was 29.30.
LYNCHY BOY IS ELITE
There were four opening round heats of the Elite Canine Transport A1/A2 550 also down for decision on last nights Clonmel card and it was TJ Campion’s brilliant servant, Lynchy Boy, who set the standard.
A winner of ten races prior to last night, Lynchy Boy has taken on some very smart greyhounds for some time now and he was expected to make a bold bid in heat two. Briefly led in the early exchanges by Suir Road, Lynchy Boy soon took charge wearing the blue jacket and he was to prove a cut above his rivals thereafter. Setting a powerful gallop throughout, the son of Confident Rankin and Boozed Bubble crossed the line with four lengths in hand over Bombay Joe as the clock returned a swift 30.09.
ROUNDING UP THE HEATS
Next best in terms of the clock was Riverside Beau in the final heat of the night. Trained by Graham Holland for the RTC Syndicate, the April 20’ son of Clonbrien Hero and Slippery Thelma took charge approaching the penultimate bend and he stormed up the home straight to record a two and a half length victory over Burrow Erris in second. The time was 30.32.
Sparta Max was next in line as he ran to a clear victory in heat three. Jointly owned by Philip Gough and John Fitzgerald, the son of Droopys Sydney and Sparty Emmy was in charge from the off as he flashed from six to run to a virtual solo. Crossing the line with eight lengths to spare over nearest challenger Coolbeg Whatical, the time was 30.37.
The remaining heat was landed by Luminous Invader for the Myles-Family-Syndicate. Seeking a fifth win, the son of Droopys Sydney and Luminous Fancy showed fine early dash to lead from trap one and he was to prove a tough nut to crack thereafter. Chased hard in second by eye-catching Kilkenny Santy, Luminous Fancy was two lengths better off crossing the line as the clock returned 30.47.