TROMORA AND SYDNEY MARCH INTO KENNEDY CUP DECIDER IN STYLE

Peter Farrell

The valuable John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup reached its semi final stages last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and although Stream Of Sydney maintained his unbeaten run with another sparkling performance, it was the other unbeaten bitch in the stake, Tromora Rocket, who went narrowly quickest.

Stream Of Sydney took the €5,000 to the winner event by the horns last week as she stopped the clock in a brilliant 28.29 and she was to produce another emphatic display in the opening semi final to march into the decider with strong claims. However, on the night, Tromora Rocket went narrowly quicker than the outright favourite as the 5/1 shot produced an outstanding performance to score in style.

After making an incredible recovery from a tardy start in last week’s second round, Killahan Sydney was the understandable favourite heading into the second semi final but the black jacketed runner broke poorly and the 4/5 shot was again playing catch-up as Tromora Rocket took full advantage of some first bend traffic to shoot clear. Left with an unassailable lead after both Hello Sydney and Liosgarbh Lily collided, it was all one-way traffic for Tromora Rocket and David Hogan’s charge didn’t need a second invitation as she set an electric gallop down the back straight. Showing no stamina worries, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Cameo was nine lengths better off than Killahan Syndey crossing the line, with Jackals Jewel a further four lengths back in third. The time was a rapid 28.53.

ALL ABOUT SYDNEY

Although the second semi final proved to be an upset in the betting market, there was to be no such shocks in the opening semi as Stream Of Sydney once again dominated the contest.

Installed as the 4/6 favourite, Stream Of Sydney was bidding to secure a hat-trick for Austin Whelan and Pat Buckley and despite not coming away too fluently from the inside, she showed immediate early gears to zoom up the inside and take control. Rounding the opener with a clear lead, Joeys Champ was next best upon entrance to the back straight, however, numerous greyhounds were making their move, one of which was Maireads Rocket, who had improved into second after a moderate start. However, it was all one-way traffic up top as Stream Of Sydney continued to set a frantic gallop and she maintained her lead all the way home as the October daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jet Stream Proof crossed with three lengths in hand over Maireads Rocket in second. The time was 28.55 as Brickfield Cody recovered from an early bump to book his spot in the decider in six days’ time.

The trap draw for the final of the John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup:

T1 - TROMORA ROCKET

T2 - KILLAHAN SYDNEY

T3 - STREAM OF SYDNEY

T4 - MAIREADS ROCKET

T5 - JACKALS JEWEL

T6 - BRICKFIELD CODY

IN OTHER RACES

Pat Buckley sealed a double on the undercard as Kanturk Dave landed race eleven, the Toomevara Camogie Club A1 525. Running from trap two, Kanturk Dave was a generous 5/1 chance in the market and he quickly made his intentions clear with a slick exit to breeze past Millrose Brandy early on. Making every post a winner thereafter, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Belle was three lengths better off than Millrose Brandy crossing the line. The time was 28.74.

Prior to that, there was an interesting Novice 750 on the card and it went the way of recent Golden Muzzle winner, Hazelhill Hazard. Michael O’Connell’s greyhound is running at the top of his game of late and he displayed the superior stamina to make a winning start to what could prove an illustrious career over the marathon trip. Sitting third early on, the son of Droopys Sydney and Hazelhill Tess took charge at the midway point and he drew clear of his rivals thereafter to score by four and a half lengths from Whats Up Jack in second. The time for the 11/4 shot was a smart 42.20.

In race five, Confused Fitzy returned to winning ways in an Open sprint as Gerry Manley’s greyhound scored an emphatic victory. A 3/1 chance at the off, Confused Fitzy trapped brilliantly from four and he showcased some lovely early speed to race into the opening corner in control. Tracking expertly thereafter, the son of Confident Rankin and Confused Breda kept on well close home and he was three lengths clear of Dubh Gasta crossing the line. The time was a very good 18.85.

In race seven, Excess Travel maintained his unbeaten career start as he made it two wins from as many starts. Owned by John Kirwan, the July 20’ heavyweight tracker won on debut clocking 28.77 and he came away racing from trap one to quickly go about making it back-to-back wins. Justifying his favourites tag of 7/4, Excess Travel was never in danger of being reeled in from that point on and the son of Ballymac Best was four and a half lengths clear of Tyrap Ferage in second. The time was a smart 28.85.