MASSIVE PERFORMANCE FROM BOCKOS MELODY IN SHELLEY FENNELLY MEMORIAL FINAL

Barry Drake

Trainer Graham Holland landed another big one in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as Bockos Melody (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Razl) landed the final of the €4,500 to the winner Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake.

It looked like a wide-open event on paper and it was Burgess Josie who won the all-important early lead. Ballymac Run soon moved second and she looked a real danger to the one in front. Ballymac Art missed the kick while Bockos Crystal and Scooby Duchess could never get involved from terrible draws out wide.

Midway down the back straight, Bockos Melody, a 6-1 shot in the betting ring, had about six lengths to make up on the one in front which was the early paced Burgess Rosie. However, the powerful running winner showed massive pace to quickly get on terms. Hitting the front soon after the final corner, the Beverley Lochead owned winner then powered up the home straight to land the spoils, in 28.41. Two and a half lengths back to Burgess Josie with three quarters of a length back to Ballymac Run in third place. It was another wonderful event around the Cork circuit.

SENSATIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCE

Racing got underway with a sensational winning performance from the Kieran Lynch trained Trouble (Ballymac Bolger-Ballymac Arminta). Owned by the Memphis-Mafia-Syndicate, the September puppy looks a real prospect after clocking 28.29 in the opening round heat of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust ON2 Stake. Backed strongly in the market, the 4-7 favourite showed exceptional early gears and the September puppy was strong throughout. A special winning debut performance as the exciting young talent beat Raining Glory, by five and a half lengths.

ONE FOR THE FUTURE

Droopys Iconic (Laughil Blake-Droopys Zero) is another brilliant talent for trainer Pat Kiely and owners the Golden-Spoon-Syndicate. Also, a 4-7 shot in the betting ring, the September puppy didn't enjoy the clearest of runs early, but he still managed to go on and score in 28.61. Massive improvement looks likely and he has a big future ahead. Nine lengths back to Cians Jet in second place.

IN OTHER RACES

In the second heat, Teds Texter (Droopys Sydney-Beechgrove Bell) came out on top for trainer Johnny Linehan and owner Alan Green. Showing plenty of all round pace, the 5-4 winner pulled out all the stops to deny Corner Boys, by a length, in 28.97.

In the fourth and final heat, Bolgers Inquiry (Ballymac Bolger-Bellmore Lucy) was another to impress when winning for Breda Moloney. In front early, the 7-4 winner had all the answers up front as the September puppy drew clear to beat Never Mind Me, by seven lengths, in 28.68.

The Eoin Ivers Building Ltd Tri Distance Stake also got underway. Trainer Tom O'Neill took the opening heat, Ballyhooly Belle winning for the Ashgrove-Syndicate. The 6-4 winner made all the running to win, in 28.71.

O'Neill doubled up in the following heat, Rex Mundi winning for owners Agnes and Denis Ryan. A 2-1 shot in the market, he scored in 28.83.

In the third and final heat, Ballygloss Bingo came out in front for owner Declan Drohan. The 5-1 outsider made back-to-back winning performances around the Cork circuit in 28.87.

Galloping Sydney looked bullet proof in the closing race and the 1-2 favourite didn't disappoint. Trained by Graham Holland for owner Una Creed, the classy sort made the most of a great opportunity in the A0 contest. Driving a great opening corner, the winner quickly took control and he went on to win very easily, in 28.76.a