MEDUZA STARS IN KNOCKLONG RE-RUN AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

It was a quiet affair at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night but the highlight of the evening was a brilliant victory for Meduza, who landed the re-run of heat two in the Knocklong Schooling Track A1/A2 525.

Meduza is a top-class performer when on-song and the John Byrne-trained bitch returned to her very best last night as she made every inch of the running for her joint owners, Sean Ryan and John Meelam. Declared a void race after a hare malfunction seven days prior, Strictly Paul was in command on that occasion and as such, Pat Buckley’s charge was installed as the even money favourite to land the spoils. However, Meduza made her intentions clear from the outset as the 2/1 chance rocketed from trap four to quickly shoot across to the inside and gain control. Holding a two length advantage rounding the opener, the daughter of Good News and Jaytee Osprey doubled her advantage at the midway point from Ballygibba Ruby in second and the writing was on the wall for her rivals thereafter. Displaying her big engine in the closing stages, Meduza’s stamina was also superior to her rivals as she crossed the line with six lengths in hand over Ballygibba Ruby in second. The time was a rapid 28.55.

DIVA ONE TO WATCH

In the race prior, Mohane Diva produced a very accomplished performance to land an A5/A6 525 event.

Owned by Cormac Davern, who is no stranger to churning out the winner’s at Limerick, Mohane Diva is the latest prodigy to come from the kennel and the March 21’ whelp made no mistakes last night as she broke her duck at the third time of asking. A 2/1 chance at the off, Mohane Diva was quickest into stride from trap three and she just nipped around clear of Bettyville Rover in one. From here, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Mohane Duchess excelled to soon put daylight between herself and her rivals and she showed brilliant staying power to gallop to comfortable success in the end. Crossing the line with over seven lengths in hand, the time was a slick 28.80.

IN OTHER RACES

Race seven was the Limerick Sales A2/A3 550 and this saw Wizard get back to winning ways for Gary Pepper and Paraic Campion. Without a win since November of last year, Wizard wasn’t to be denied on this occasion as although briefly headed by Sporry Anna early doors, the black powerhouse quickly outpaced his rival to assert rounding the opening corner. From here, it was all one-way traffic for the son of Magical Bale and Coolavanny Park as he galloped to a two and a half length success over Sporra Anna in second. The time was 30.12 for the 5/2 favourite.

Race eight was the Track Bookmakers AO/A1 550 and Bling Bling Paul got back to winning ways for owner John Meehan. A top-class performer over various distances, Bling Bling Paul was searching for a brilliant twelfth career victory and he did so with ease at odds of 4/1. Running from trap three, the son of Sh Avatar and Killinan Reina disputed with Urban Castle to the penultimate turn, however, he upped the ante at this point to fly home and secure a three and a half length victory over his rival. The time was 30.19.

The concluding race on the card saw Da Centurion (Definate Opinion - Jumeirah Lolls) make it back-to-back wins over the marathon trip. Owned by the Lucky-Last syndicate, this dog won his novice over six bends last time out and after that impressive display, he was installed as the 4/6 favourite to double up in race eleven. This contest proved much tougher however, as both Beaming Becca and Tyrap Ferage forced the eventual winner to pull out all the stops in order to land victory. Da Centurion sat third early on but quickly improved to chase Tyrap Ferage around the final turn and he showed superior stamina to reel in the leader and secure a three parts of a length victory. The time was 42.43.