SYDNEY SIZZLES AS KENNEDY CUP ACTION HEATS UP AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup were the main attraction to Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and there was no doubt about the star performer as Stream Of Sydney built on her opening round win with a stunning display in heat two.

After winning her opening round assignment in a brisk 28.55, the Pat Buckley-trained Stream Of Sydney shot to the top of the outright market and she strengthened that position with a quite incredible display in racing to a comfortable victory.

Owned by Austin Whelan, Stream Of Sydney donned the blue jacket in heat two and she produced another impeccable start to show immediate acceleration and take control on the run to the turn. From here, there was no stopping the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jet Stream Proof as the 1/2 shot bound clear of the chasing pack and it was evident a special clock on the horizon. Powering around the bottom two bends, Stream Of Sydney was relentless in racing to facile nine length victory over Wizard in second. The time was a red-hot 28.29 and the remaining qualifying position went to Jackals Jewel, who was a further six lengths back in third.

ROUNDING UP THE HEATS

Next best in terms of the clock was Hello Sydney in the final heat of the night as Paul Hennessy’s charge turned the tables on the favourite, Killahan Sydney. A 2/1 chance at the off, the son of Droopys Sydney and Jaytee Ruby was once again swiftly into stride from trap three and he was to make every post a winner in running out a one length victor over Liosgarbh Lila in second. The time was 28.73 as Killahan Sydney claimed the final qualifying position back in third after an eye-catching recovery from a poor start.

In the opening heat of the night, Tromora Rocket ensured she kept her unbeaten record intact in the stake with an off-the-pace performance. Owned by David Hogan, Tromora Rocket went to traps a 5/2 shot and she broke in front from the middle to dictate the opening yards. However, the inside duo of Mohane Maggie and Hello Tommy outpaced their rivals early on and it was the former who took charge on the rail. Tromora Rocket wasn’t to be denied however; and after showing big speed down the back, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger raced around both Mohane Maggie and Hello Tommy before staying on strongly to deny another fast finisher in the form of Brickfield Cody in trap six. The time was 28.99 with Hello Tommy just a half length further back in third.

The remaining second round heat was landed in good style by Joeys Champ as he led from trap-to-line for owner John Moloney, Joeys Champ was a 5/2 chance at the off and he pinged the lids from trap three to control the early proceedings. Showing fine dash down the back, the brindle son of Kinloch Brae and Mt Heaton Daisey kept enough in reserve to see off the fast-finishing Maireads Rocket, who ran a cracker after shipping a bump, by a neck on the line. The time was 28.92 as Corgrigg Bucks also booked his spot in the last twelve by taking the final qualifying position in third. .

IN OTHER RACES

Elsewhere on the card, there were a number of fine displays and Pat Buckley sealed a double of the night as Kanturk Dave (Ballymac Bolger - Ballymac Belle) landed race ten with a make-all performance. The 4/6 favourite at the bell, the blue jacketed runner, owned by Kenny Glen, proved a cut above his rivals as he galloped to a comprehensive six length win over Hollyhill Sonny in second. The time was 28.83.

Another trainer was on double form last night at Limerick and that was John Rainsford as both Adamant Approach and Adamant Blaze scored with impressive victories. The first greyhound to pass the post in front was Adamant Approach and he justified his 5/4 starting price with a comfortable win. Running from trap one, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Adamant Gem displayed his customary early gear to lead on the rails and he never surrendered that advantage as he galloped to a three length victory in 28.95. Later on, in race nine, Adamant Blaze doubled his career tally as, despite not trapping too fluently, showed terrific early speed to swoop around runners. From there, the son of Ballymac Eske and Adamant Gem never saw another tail as he maintained a strong gallop on route to a 28.83 winning run.

Athlacca Zette is a top-class performer at his best and he landed race eleven for Noel Neenan to win for the fifth time in his career. Running from his favoured striped jacket, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Athlacca Charm was a 4/1 chance at the off and he came away best of all to hold the aces early doors. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, Athlacca Zetta was two and a half lengths better off than Tally Ho Tyson, who also ran a brilliant race, crossing the finishing line. The time was a slick 28.63.

The final race of the night was an Open class affair and it was Warrenstown Boy who landed the spoils for Paraic Campion and Osmond Bennett. Cushie Concorde was expected to take a bit of beating in this contest but it was Warrenstown Boy who shot from trap three to display the superior early gears on the run to the turn. Setting a powerful gallop down the back, the son of Magical Bale and Road Queen never looked like getting caught as he recorded a two length win over Cushie Concorde in second. The time was 28.77.