SUSIE LANDS TIME DERBY AS UNA SETS JOHN WHELAN STANDARD
Peter Farrell
There were some terrific performances on display at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night as the final of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Graders Derby came to a head, as well as the semi finals of the John Whelan Memorial Cup.
With €5,000 on offer to the eventual winner, the TIME Graders Derby has been a fantastic addition for the ordinary greyhound and Headleys Susie was on hand to land this valuable prize as she produced a 5/1 shock. Owned by Nick Cotter, Headleys Susie arrived at Limerick from Tralee and she narrowly missed out in the semis as she was downed by a judge’s call crossing the line. However, she ensured that she wasn’t to suffer the same fate this time around as she trapped even better on the night that mattered. Running from four, Headleys Susie absolutely pinged out early on to record a rapid 1.24 sectional and this was to prove the key to victory thereafter. Running a fine opening turn, the daughter of Good News and Pennylane Star held a two length lead entering the back from Proud Mercurial but it was eye-catching Catunda Syd who looked a huge threat as he ranged alongside the second place greyhound midway down the back. Coming together with his rival at this point, the luckless Catunda Syd hit the deck as Headleys Susie continued to go about her business in fine style in front. Maintaining a solid gallop, Headleys Susie proved as game as a pheasant out in front and she held off the rapid improvement of Fantasy Tuppence, who ran a terrific race, to come through for second. Just one length separating the pair crossing the line, Headleys Susie claimed the €5,000 prize as she stopped the clock in 28.93.
UNA TAKES OFF IN JOHN WHELAN MEMORIAL
After landing this event twelve months prior, Pat Buckley is back for another assault at this valuable competition and he has a strong hand heading into the decider as Balinabola Una made it three wins on the spin last night.
A half-sister to the sensational Ballinabola Ed, Ballinabola Una has really taken to Limerick and she sharpened up at boxes last night to justify her 7/4 favouritism in the opening semi final. At traprise, it was Glengar Jasmine who came away best of all for Corona Ryan and she showed fine early dash to turn in front. Ballinabola Una sat a close third at this point but the daughter of Burgess Buck showed rapid improvement down the back as she glided up the leader at her ease. Nipping up the inside at the penultimate, Ballinabola Una stayed on strongly late on and she powered to a two and a half length victory over Glengar Jasmine in second. The time was an exceptional 28.37.
In the second semi final, the Paraic Campion-trained Rattlefence led from trap-to-line for the Few-Sons-Syndicate, bringing up the first of two winners for Campion as Wizard was to score later in the card.
A greyhound with blistering early speed, Rattlefence made full use of his inside draw as he pinged the lids to take a comfortable lead into the opening corner. Setting a scorching gallop down the back, the son of Droopys Jet and Paper Doll extended his lead down the back straight as Freeway Sharky gave chase but he never made an inch on his rival despite his best intentions in behind. Maintaining a powerful gallop in the latter stages, Rattlefence romped into the decider with a comprehensive three length victory over Freeway Sharky in second. The time was 28.62.
The draw for the final of the John Whelan Memorial Cup:
T1 - RATTLEFENCE
T2 - GLENGAR JASMINE
T3 - BALLINABOLA UNA
T4 - FREEWAY SHARKY
T5 - FOUR BULLETS
T6 - FREEDOM READER
*************
OLLIE ARRIVES LATE TO BOOK DERBY TICKET
Elsewhere on the card, Clonbrien Ollie booked his ticket to the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby as he pounced late to land the trial stake decider.
Jointly owned by James and Kay Murphy, Clonbrien Ollie went to boxes as the 5/2 second favourite behind Arabella Rue as he went in search of just his first career victory. Running from trap six, ‘Ollie’ came away well out wide but it was the evergreen Ballyelan Rolly who set the standard for the Scanlon’s. Holding a four length lead down the back, Ballyelan Rolly was setting a strong gallop and was still two lengths in front rounding the penultimate turn. However, the wide-running Clonbrien Ollie was revving his engine in behind and the son of Pestana and Clonbrien Millie stayed on strongly to chin his rival crossing the line. Just a head between runners, the time was a swift 29.92 for the 550-yard trip.