STONEPARK BROWNE SIGNS OFF TREATY IN STYLE

Peter Farrell

The final of the €5,000 to the winner Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup Open 350 featured at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Stonepark Browne capped off an impressive few weeks in style.

A greyhound that looked special from a very early stage after posting 18.34 in his qualifying trial at Limerick, Michael Sean O’Dwyer’s star smashed the track record in the second round of the renewal as he clocked a scarcely believable 18.12, shaving three parts of a length off the previous record set by Ballinakill Alf in last year’s event. A poor draw saw the Michael O’Donovan-trained black forced to settle for second in the semis, however, a trap one draw in the decider was to cement his status as the hot favourite coming into the contest. Installed at odds of 4/7, Stonepark Browne made no mistakes this time around as he romped to another hugely impressive victory, which proved a fitting end to an event that was kindly sponsored by Chris Flanagan.

At traprise, supporters of Stonepark Browne would have had a few anxious moments as he was left behind by both Southwind Wild and Road Exile, however, within the blink of an eye, any worries were quickly dismissed. Recovering brilliantly from his rails berth, ‘Browne’ rushed up the inner of Southwind Wild and he soon excelled into the opening bend to turn with a half-length in hand. In doing so, the son of Malachi - Coolavanny Ella ran a terrific bend and he now held all the aces in his bid to secure the €5,000 first prize on offer. While Southwind Wild was hot on the heels of Stonepark Browne, the remainder of the event was now a formality once the jolly hit the front. Without breaking stride around the final bend, O’Donovan’s charge rallied up the home straight and he was to power across the line to hand a one and a half length defeat to the gallant Southwind Wild in second. The evergreen Road Exile was a further one and a half lengths back in third as the clock returned a rapid 18.30. A fitting end to another top-class renewal and one suspects that Dundalk may well be next on the horizon for this brilliant speedster.

KILDUFF DOUBLE

On the undercard, there was a nice double for the kennel of Patrick Maher as both Kilduff Yapper and Kilduff Pippa both prevailed.

‘Yapper’ was the first to score as he landed his A6 contest in effortless fashion. Sent off 4/1, the son of Here Comes Syd - Razldazl Emily showed the best of the early speed out wide and although steering a wide course for the majority, he had plenty in hand come the winning line. Crossing with two and a half lengths to spare, the time was 29.24.

The strapping ‘Pippa’ was to secure the double for Maher. A powerful 71-pounder, the 2/1 chance was chasing a maiden win and she did so while running to a virtual solo. Drawn in three, the white and black broke well from three and in doing so, quickly opened a sizable lead to cross the line with eight lengths in hand. The time was 29.05.

HIGHLIGHTS

Maurice Organ and Pat Morrissey sent Pats Cashout out to win for the third time in race three, which was an A4 event. Breaking well from one, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Cloncunny Peecee put this contest to bed early as he turned with a handy advantage into the back. Thereafter, it was a straightforward assignment for ‘Pats’ as he kept on well to cross the line with five lengths to spare. The time was 28.56.

The litter that keeps on giving is that of King Sheeran and Magical Mary and Magical Millie produced an outstanding performance in race four to outline her own engine. Installed as the even money favourite, Pat Guilfoyle’s lady broke narrowly in front from trap four, however, quickly showed her superiority in opening a two length advantage entering the back. In doing so, ‘Millie’ got stronger as the race progressed and she crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Rallying Mac in second. The time was a slick 28.35.

Race nine saw Happy Jet produce that fastest run of the night as the Pat Buckley-trained black came from off-the-pace to win for the fifth time in his career. Jointly owned by Tom Quinn and Ned Morrissey, the son of Run Happy - Bobsleigh Jet was left behind at traps, however, he produced some great work early on to turn just three lengths adrift in third. Eating up the ground at the midway point, ‘Jet’ stormed around the outside of Portdrine Magic to take charge and it was a matter of how far thereafter. Now in full throttle, the August pup motored around the bottom two bends before powering clear to seal a two length victory over Scarlet Ella in second. The time was a fast 28.34.

The night concluded with another victory for the McAuliffe kennel as Drombeg Banner (7/4) held on to win for the seventh time in his career. Chasing back-to-back wins after a 28.75 last time out, the son of Explosive Boy showed a lovely turn of early speed to lead from trap five. Holding a four length lead down the back, Burgess Canon emerged as a huge threat in the closing stages, however, ‘Banner’ kept just enough in reserve to cross the line with a half-length to spare. The time was 28.36.