WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER TO GET OFF TO A BLISTERING START

Peter Farrell

It’s all systems go at Limerick Greyhound Stadium later tonight as the opening round heats of the Willwego.com Irish St. Leger gets underway and it is once again filled with the cream of the crop as sixty-six trackers go in search of the €30,000 first prize.

In total, there are eleven opening round heats that cover the entire card and patrons are sure to be treated to some incredible action. Kindly sponsored for the second year running by Willwego.com, they have been richly rewarded as the Classic features the likes of reigning champ Clonbrien Treaty, current Kirby winner Knockeen Dazzler, the Juvenile Champion 550 winner Carmac King, Race of Champions winner Coolavanny Otto, Munster Juvenile Cup winner Faypoint Harvey and National Produce Stakes champion Unanimouspanther.

HEAT TWO IS SPECIAL

Of the eleven heats, one of the standout contests is heat two, which will see Coolavanny Otto, Faypoint Harvey and Jaytee Craze all get their Leger campaigns underway. The latter posted a sensational trial of 27.89 at Limerick in recent weeks and the Paul Hennessy-trained star is cherry-ripe heading into this event based on that performance. Drawn in four, the son of Ballymac Cashout must reproduce in race circumstances tonight and he will need to be on his toes if he is to get first run on his inside rivals. Faypoint Harvey has emerged as a serial winner for Graham Holland and is undoubtedly one of the best in training since landing the Munster Juvenile Cup late last year at Clonmel. Patricia Flanagan’s white and black is drawn well in three and will come on for his third placed effort behind the eye-catching Seek The Kingdom last weekend. Should this be the case, the son of Droopys Sydney is certain to be in the mix and is a live outright player in the Classic. The same can be said of Coolavanny Otto. Perfectly housed in red, he was luckless from a horrid draw in the Dundalk International last weekend and he will certainly be more comfortable next to the rails later tonight. A little inconsistent at times, in terms of raw ability there are few faster than ‘Otto’ and if he puts it all together, he will be difficult to beat.

REIGNING CHAMP RETURNS

Clonbrien Treaty makes his anticipated return to his favourite circuit in heat three and his 28.16 spin last weekend suggests he is primed to defend his status as the reigning champ.

Not only has James and Muireann Murphy’s charge landed the 2023 St. Leger, but he also emerged victorious in the 2023 Kirby and he is without doubt most comfortable around the Munster venue. The son of Pestana warmed up with that incredible trial last weekend and although this is a tough assignment on his return to Irish soil, he will be expected to come through as the sole wide runner in six. Of his rivals, look no further than Miami King in trap two. Trained by Garry Dempsey, the son of Ballymac Vic has been the ‘talking dog’ of Limerick in recent week’s having clocked 29.50 and 29.30 over Leger course and distance. Make no mistake, should he reproduce the latter clock he will not be beaten and this has all the prospects of a thrilling encounter should both greyhounds run their race. Throw in the likes of Seek The Kingdom, who clocked 28.25 in a race last weekend at Limerick, and this has the potential to be the contest of the meeting.

KIRBY WINNER TO BLAZE A TRAIL

Knockeen Dazzler was a superb winner of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby winner in late April and he makes his return to the scene of his greatest triumph to date in heat six.

Owned by Daniel O’Rahilly, the son of Laughil Blake and Love Island was flawless throughout the Kirby as he showcased his blistering early speed and he is fresh from finishing third in the Champion Stakes a fortnight ago at HQ. With those few outings now firmly under his belt, against top-class opposition, he should be primed for a real challenge in the Leger and he has received a very favourable opening round draw. In amongst several graded trackers, Knockeen Dazzler should prove a class above his rivals and expect him to be installed as the shortest priced favourite on the night.  

HEAT WATCH

Heat 1 – Fresh from landing the €20,000 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Graders Derby last weekend, Carrigmore Dante steps into Open class for the very first time in the opening heat of the night. A rapidly improving youngster, this is without doubt a huge task but one of which he can certainly qualify from. Of his rivals, Bredas Casey is the one to beat as a multiple sub 28.30 runner, while McNeill is also likely to qualify given his strong running style.

Heat 4 – Paul Hennessy enjoyed a fantastic weekend and one of his star performers was Barefoot On Fire, who returned to his very best in landing a trial stake in a blistering 29.54. He will need to produce something similar if he is to get the better of Ballyhimikin Rex however, who looks the one to beat having recently posted a flash 28.10 around Shelbourne Park.

Heat 5 – One of the eye-catchers last Saturday night at Limerick was Coolavanny Percy who made up monstrous ground after a poor start in a race won by Seek The Kingdom. The extra 25-yards will definitely suit Pat Buckley’s runner and he looks the most likely winner from trap five. Of his rivals, Drombeg Spark posted 29.92 for this trip last time out and is well drawn in six to possibly lead. 

Heat 7 – A wide-open heat and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see any of the runners prevail. However, Dromana Dano is an experienced campaigner and posted a flying 29.81 on his last visit to Limerick. Anything close to that would likely be enough this time around, with the likes of the unbeaten Tenyearshutterin and Sogna In Grande looking the most likely to also get involved.

Heat 8 – One of the breakout stars of 2024 has been Unanimouspanther and it would be a major shock if he was handed back-to-back defeats in heat eight. Pat Buckley’s runner landed the Produce Stakes in brilliant fashion just two weeks ago at Clonmel and ran a huge race in defeat in the Dundalk International last time out. Running from four, expect a polished performance from this heavyweight son of Droopys Sydney.

Heat 9 – Another heavyweight buckle is in store in heat nine as Faypoint Sean comes up against Superfast Gorden. The former posted a rapid 28.21 in a preparation trial last Saturday and is at the peak of his powers at present, while ‘Gorden’ adores Limerick, as shown from his 28.09 clock earlier this year. Indeed, Hazelhill Bucko could well be a dark horse in this contest for Lucy Roche after a brilliant 29.78 win last time out to book his ticket into the Leger.

Heat 10 – Despite going down by a short-head on his last outing at Tralee, In Good Time should prove a class above his rivals in the penultimate heat on the card. Trained by Brendan Maunsell the Tralee track record holder is an outstanding tracker and with thirty-seven races under his belt, has the experience to put his rivals to bed early. Of said rivals, Drombeg Rio perhaps stands out as the main threat should the jolly slip-up.

Heat 11 – Quite fitting given the standard on offer, the concluding heat is certain to send patrons home happy. Featuring the likes of Champion 550 winner Carmac King and former Derby runner-up Bockos Crystal, this is a red-hot contest with Carmac King selected to make-all for Owen McKenna. One of the Country’s leading stars, ‘King’ may be having his first start at Limerick but he should be tailor-made for the circuit and is well-drawn in five, as opposed to a tricky trap two last time out. Bockos Crystal is the obvious threat but she will have to improve on her 28.56 trial, while Ower Cracker is a hugely talented sort, who could cause a minor upset if trapping on terms.