PAPE LEADS THE WAY IN TIPP CUP
Peter Farrell
The second round heats of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup served as the highlight on last night’s Thurles card and for the second week running, Pape Di Oro stole the show.
After posting a red-hot 28.55 .20s in the opener, Pape Di Oro couldn’t have been impressive as he kick-started Pat Buckley’s attempt to land back-to-back Tipperary Cups after Bobsleigh Dream raced to victory in 2022. Penciled in to run in the last of the four heats on offer last night, Javier Jarne’s brilliant tracker once again blitzed his rivals to gallop to a virtual solo. Running from trap six, Pape Di Oro came away racing to post a 1.65 early sectional and he rounded the turn in command, holding a clear advantage over Burgess Bolger in second. From here, it was effectively all over as a contest as the son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile set a relentless gallop down the back. Drawing clear of his rivals, the result was never in doubt as Pape Di Oro crossed the line with six lengths in hand over Burgess Bolger in second. The final qualification spot went to Boss Go as the clock returned a quickest of the night, 28.67 .20s.
BUCKLEY DOUBLE
In the opening heat of the night, Pat Buckley was also accountable for the winner as De Gander Pen built on his opening round win.
Owned by the Ore-Yont-Syndicate, De Gander Pen produced some brilliant displays at Clonmel in the Produce Stakes prior to coming to Thurles and he ran with real gusto last time out to reel in some talented rivals and score. Running in a five dog affair last night, De Gander Pen broke well from trap one but was forced to settle for second early on as Yankee Doodle set the pace from trap five. The inside line was to prove crucial, however, as De Gander Pen nipped up the inside of his rival to lead into the back straight. Taking full control at this point, given his style of running, it was always going to take a monumental effort to reel in De Gander Pen thereafter. Setting a powerful gallop, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton showed no signs of any let up as he drew clear midway down the back straight and he duly stayed on stoutly to hand Yankee Doodle a two length defeat crossing the line. The time was 29.02 .20s as Bogger Rambo secured the final qualification spot back in third.
KRONK BACK
Cabra Kronk may have been off the racing scene for some four months prior to his entry in the 2023 renewal, however, he showed huge promise in the opening round to announce himself as a real player in this competition.
Owned by Paddy Scally, who has managed this greyhound expertly, Cabra Kronk was well trialed in the past four months and he had shown big speed on his reappearance seven days prior when posting an estimate of 28.91. Sent off the 5/2 second favourite behind Champion 550 winner Ballyhimikin Rex, it was all over at the start as Cabra Kronk smashed the lids to post a rapid 1.63 sectional. Turning clear, the son of Cabra Firmino and Cabra Twister set a blistering gallop thereafter and came home two lengths clear of Ballyhimikin Rex, who ran a real eye-catching race, in second. The time was 28.88 .20s as Burgess Cutey claimed third.
SWIZZ STARS
The remaining heat of the night, heat three, saw Pat Guilfoyle get in on the act with Swizz Star.
In what looked the hottest heat of the night, Terezas Mendoza went to traps as the 5/4 favourite but she was forced to play second fiddle to Carrigmore Logan, who showed fine early speed to lead. Another opening round scorer, Carrigmore Logan led into the back but Terezas Mendoza looked ominous in second as she improved entering the penultimate turn. However, the complexion of the contest was to change at this point, with both Carrigmore Logan and Terezas Mendoza coming together, which in turn allowed Swizz Star to come through and take command. Staying on well thereafter, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Clongeel Mills, owned by the Premier-Rebel-Syndicate, raced to a four and a half length victory over Millroad Bolger in second. Old Bill claiming the final spot in the semis, the time was 29.04 .20s.