STREAM OF SYDNEY STARS IN JOHN WHELAN MEMORIAL KENNEDY CUP DECIDER
Peter Farrell
There was another stacked card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night as the final of the €5,000 to the winner John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup came to its conclusion and it went the way of the favourite as Steam Of Sydney maintained her unbeaten record in the event with another incredible performance.
Kindly sponsored by the Family of the late John Whelan, the Kennedy Cup has produced some brilliant racing at Limerick over the past month and how fitting it was that Austin Whelan, a brother of John, emerged as the winning owner as his Stream Of Sydney put her rivals to the sword in emphatic style in the decider.
Trained by Pat Buckley, who was double-handed coming into the valuable feature, Stream Of Sydney had put together an impressive string of victories in the earlier rounds where she posted 28.55, 28.29 and 28.55 respectively. However, after heading to traps as the 4/5 favourite to land the spoils, it was all over within a matter of strides as she once again set about clocking some majestical figures. Running from trap three, Stream Of Sydney broke level with the pack but she displayed the superior acceleration to the opening corner as she cut the nose off kennel companion, Killahan Sydney, and swooped into a three length lead entering the back straight. It was a one-two for the Buckley kennel at this point as Stream Of Sydney set a frantic gallop midway down the back and, barring incident, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jet Stream Proof was well on her way to a fourth straight victory. Still in possession of a healthy lead turning for home, unfortunately Killahan Sydney was to go wrong at this point, which allowed the promising October whelp to strengthen her position at the head of proceedings. That said, Stream Of Sydney was never under threat of being reeled in as she proceeded to crank it up a further notch on the run for home. Drawing clear of the chasing pack, Stream Of Sydney crossed the line with six and a half lengths in hand over nearest rival, Tromora Rocket, in second, while Maireads Rocket came through late to take a final podium position in third. Another incredible performance from what is a brilliant talent, the time was a sizzling 28.29.
FERAGE SET THE STANDARD IN O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS TRI-DISTANCE
Elsewhere on the card, the opening round heats of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri-Distance got underway and it was Tyrap Ferage who set the early standard with a comfortable victory in heat two.
Owned by David Carroll, Tyrap Ferage actually came as a reserve in heat two but he made full use of his opportunity as he made every post a winner on route to success. Running from trap one, the 2/1 shot trapped best of all from his inside berth and he fended off his rivals early on to take a three length lead into the back straight. Maintaining a powerful gallop thereafter, the son of Droopys Cain and Varra Bawn was never under any pressure from his rivals and he duly ran out a five length victor over Sugan Snowy in second. The time was 30.16.
IN OTHER HEATS
Tommy Too Many (Dorotas Woo Hoo - Ballintee Babe) was expected to take the world of beating in heat one but he needed every yard of the 550 trip in order to bounce back to winning ways. Heading to traps the 4/7 favourite, Tommy Too Many came away well from the stripes but it was Ballymartin Rory who displayed the superior gears early on to lead. Holding a two length advantage down the back, Tommy Too Many looked a constant threat and he made his move between the bottom two bends where he took over from Ballymartin Rory in second. Little to separate the duo on the run for home however, Tommy Too Many, owned by the Moydrum Massive Syndicate, just about held off Ballymartin Rory, who was coming back for more, in second. The time was 30.36.
In heat three, Ronny Wuyts sent out Vigorous Orla and she recorded back-to-back for the local handler. Running from trap two, Vigorous Orla didn’t trap too fluently from the inside but she relished the longer run to the corner as she flew past her rivals rounding the opening turn. Chased in second by Keeperhill Jimmy at this point, he had some three lengths to bridge over Vigorous Orla who was setting a strong gallop in front. Always in control, Vigorous Orla did have to fend off the late challenge of Adamant Phoenix in the closing stages; however, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary had enough in reserve in order to do so. Running out a one length winner, the time was 30.34.
In the final heat of the night, Foxys Bobby (Droopys Sydney - Blastoff Fizz) was to give Damien Morrissey victory as benefited from early trouble to record a fourth career victory. A 3/1 chance at the off, Foxys Bobby broke well from trap six but was headed early on by both Adamant Georoid and Droopys Pilgrim. However, after the latter struck the rail, and the former checked up as a result, this left Foxys Bobby in control down the back and she took full advantage to run out a good winner. Maintained a good gallop to the line, Greenane Camino was staying on well but was still one length shy of the leader crossing the line. The time, given the traffic, was 30.74.