JASMINE SPARKLES IN BORN WARRIOR OPENER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The opening round heats of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 were on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, not for the first time, it was Glengar Jasmine who caught the eye with another polished performance.
Boasting an eventual winner’s purse of a handsome €3,000, it wasn’t surprising to see an entry off the top shelf for this event and the opening round results have whet the appetite nicely ahead of next week’s second round. Of the five first round heats on offer, it was Glengar Jasmine, who impressed in the recent Galway Oaks, that went quickest as she put her rivals to the sword in expert style.
Owned by Limerick stalwart, Corona Ryan, Glengar Jasmine was installed as the even money favourite for success and she quickly made her intentions felt from the outset with a slick exit from trap one. Taking complete ownership of the rails on the run-up, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton opened a three length advantage over Glengort Queen down the back and she was to maintain a red-hot gallop thereafter. Staying on stoutly, ‘Jasmine’ completed a trap-to-line exhibition with a two and a length victory over Glengort Queen, in a fast time of 28.65.
HEAT WATCH
The opening heat of the night saw 5/2 shot Bambis Lady (Droopys Sydney – Ballybrack Gem) build on her recent success to maintain her unbeaten record in 2024. A winner last time out in 28.98 .20s, Breda Boyle and Patrick Sheehy’s bitch is clearly in fine fettle of late as the brindle duly popped out of her favoured red jacket to lead early doors. Challenged throughout by the orange jacketed-runner, Velvet Duchess, the latter was never able to get on terms as Bambis Lady stuck to the rails to record a one length victory over her rival. The time was 28.90.
Heat two saw one of the ‘talking dogs’ of 2024 take his chance and Barefoot On Fire overcame several bits of trouble to do his reputation no harm whatsoever in justifying his starting price of 4/6. Running from trap one, the Paul Hennessy-trained tracker missed the kick from trap one and was then forced to check after making rapid improvement on the run-up. Led by Splendid Fellow into the back, the son of Grangeview Ten then checked again entering the back straight but quickly excelled past his rival once straightening up. A comfortable winner thereafter, this was a very likeable performance from Bryan and Kathleen Murphy’s greyhound as he crossed the line with three and a half lengths to spare over Splendid Fellow in second. The time, which is not relative on this occasion, was 28.93.
Heat four saw Lurriga Lady (Laughil Blake – Haddington Lady) put an end to Bogger Dusty’s winning streak as she downed the favourite at odds of 5/2. Owned by Eileen Roche, this bitch is a very astute tracker on her day and she, in effect, made the race for herself as a fast start saw her move drastically wide on the run-up from trap one. Now turning with a slender lead over Bogger Dusty, the latter tried to get on terms down the back, however, racing room was at a premium. Staying on well in closing yards, Lurriga Lady stuck to her task expertly as she crossed the line with one and a half lengths to spare over Bogger Dusty in second. The time was 29.05.
The final heat of the night saw Thomas O’Donovan get on the scoresheet as Mendelson sprung a 4/1 shock. Owned by Gerard Hutton, this tracker was having his first start since October and he made a swift exit from trap one to quickly establish a decent lead. In Good Time closed the advantage entering the back straight, however, Mendelson proved a tough nut to crack as the son of Droopys Sydney and Ravenna stayed on stoutly to record a two and a half length victory over In Good Time in second. The time was 28.92.