DREAM STEP A POWERFUL WINNER OF THE BALLYMAC ANTON TRI DISTANCE FINAL

Barry Drake

DREAM STEP, trained by David Flanagan for owners Caroline Flanagan and Damian Hally, ran out a brilliant winner of the €3,000 to the winner Ballymac Anton @ Stud Stakes Tri Distance at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night.

A daughter of Droopys Sydney and Lamestep, she was smartly away from trap three, but it was Pennylane Dusty who was setting sizzling early fractions up front. The writing was on the wall early as Dream Step had caught the eye with her finishing speed in recent outings and once she turned second, it looked game over.

Flying to the front midway down the back straight, the powerful tracker quickly put daylight between herself and her rivals. Pulling clear up the home straight, the 5-2 shot came home six and a half lengths clear of Outdoor Rainbow, in a very fast 30.68. Mr Quiz Answer was a length and a half behind the runner up in third. (570)

IN OTHER FEATURE RACES

The €1,250 final of the Roger Rahilly Memorial Stakes went the way of Whistlingstraits for trainer Patrick O'Connor and owner Kevin Purtill. Always within touching distance early on, the 3-1 shot made his move on the back straight and he hit the front between the final corners. Finishing strongly, the November puppy proved one length too strong for My Vision, in 31.01.

Una Maachina landed the opening semi final of the Fine Gael Unraced Novice 2 Stakes. Trained by Jack Kennelly for owners the Jack Daniels Syndicate, the 2-1 winner looks a really nice prospect after the September puppy clocked 28.69 in winning. 

In the second semi final, it was Crossfield Wilma who came out in front. Brendan O'Shea's even money favourite, a December puppy, made it back to back winning performances in 28.87.