IMPRESSIVE BOBSLEIGH QUICKEST IN TIPP CUP SEMIS
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the 2022 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup took centre stage last night at Thurles Greyhound Stadium and despite the absence of Skywalker Cilla in the opening semi final, it was hard not be impressed by the performance of Bobsleigh Dream as she sealed back-to-back victories in the stake.
Trained by Pat Buckley for Willie Joe Murphy, Bobsleigh Dream has rediscovered her best form in recent weeks at the Premier venue and heading into the opening semi-final last night, she was installed the 4/6 favourite after a fine 28.86 estimate in the round prior. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the faourite as after a moderate break from trap two, she had to play second fiddle for large parts behind the explosive Seomra Nate in three. The latter really bolted from traps to clock a 1/63 sectional and he was already in control of a six length lead entering the back straight where Bobsleigh Dream gave chase in second. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Bobsleigh Jet did begin to make inroad approaching the three-quarter mark however, and from here Chris Houlihan’s Seomra Nate was well within her sights. Staying on powerfully up the home straight, the Tralee 570-record holder stormed to the front and she was one length better off than Seomra Nate, who ran a blinder, in second place. The final qualifying position went to Russmur Pat in third and the time was a blistering 28.80 .30.
The second semi-final was far more straightforward as Irelands Own dominated from the outset to run out a comfortable winner for the McLean-Avenue-Syndicate.
Trained by Murt Leahy, Irelands Own had been running very well through the Tipperary Cup and although forced to settle for second place last time out, he was most impressive in running Bobsleigh Dream to just the three lengths. A 2/1 chance at the off, Irelands Own was to make his quickest break to date from trap six this time around and he soon stormed past the fast-starting Cabra Cleo to take a two length lead into the back straight. Extending his lead to four at the mid-way point, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Achieve was in a class of his own out in front and in truth, his rivals were unable to land a glove on the classy tracker as he stayed on well close home to score by three lengths. Cabra Cleo ensured Paddy Scally will be represented in the feature next weekend with a second place finish, while Berties Cuddles claimed the final qualifying position in third. The time was 28.99 .30s.
The trap draw for the final of the 2022 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup :
T1 - BERTIES CUDDLES
T2 - BOBSLEIGH DREAM
T3 - CABRA CLEO
T4 - RUSSMUR PAT
T5 - SEOMRA NATE
T6 - IRELANDS OWN
*******
GORTKELLY DOUBLE
Elsewhere on the card, there was a double for local owner Andrew Murray as both Gortkelly Oisin and Gortkelly Reba scored in their respective events.
Running in the opening race of the night, it was Gortkelly Reba who got the kennel off to the perfect start. It was Cabra Sage who led for the majority of this contest in trap two, however, after stalking her rival down the back straight, the daughter of Skywalker Rory and Gortkelly Lola took charge at the penultimate turn, before staying on well to score by three and a half lengths. The time was 29.79 .30s.
The double was completed in race three as Gortkelly Oisin showed good determination to come through and score. Running from trap three, Gortkelly Oisin broke well but found space at a premium early on and was shuffled back to the rear positions as a result. However, showing a brilliant turn of foot down the back, the son of Shaneboy Lee and Gortkelly Lola got back on terms and he took over on the run to the finishing line to seal a one length victory. The time was 29.95 .30.