A ROMEO THREE-TIMER IN CLONMEL UNRACED
Peter Farrell
As Romeo Magico bids to land the Star Sports/TRS English Greyhound Derby later tonight at Towcester, David Firmager sent out his next crop of trackers at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and they landed three of the opening four heats of the Killee Town Unraced 525.
All trained by Adam Dunford, the quickest of the three ‘Romeo’ pups came in the opening heat of the night as Romeo Rapido made every yard to score. A 5/2 chance at the off, the January 21’ whelp made full use of his wide berth in six to flash from traps and show the superior early gears on the run to the turn. From here, Bonucci, who went off the 5/4 favourite, gave chase in second but it was all vain as Romeo Rapido raced to a length and a half victory over his fancied rival. The time for the son of Droopys Sydney and Fabulous Nigella was 29.03.
It proved a quickfire double for the Firmager/Dunford partnership in the very next race as Romeo Sub Zero justified his 6/4 starting price. A full brother to Romeo Rapido, the white and blue was slowly into stride from six and he occupied the rear positions early doors. However, showing eye-catching speed down the back, Romeo Sub Zero flew up the inside to storm to run out a five and a half length victor. The time was 29.51.
The treble was completed in the final heat of the night as Romeo Blade also came from off-the-pace to score. Sent off the 6/4 jolly, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Drive On Betsy wasn’t too fluently into stride from two as Galtee King showed the way early doors. Setting a decent gallop down the back, the latter was a sitting duck in the closing stages and it was Romeo Blade who finished best of all to see off Serene Luke by one and a half lengths. The time was 29.84.
BOGGER TAKES CONTROL OF A1 STAKE
Elsewhere on the card, the opening round heats of the Clonmel Stadium A1/A2 525 also got underway and it was Liam Peacock who took this stake by the scruff of the neck as he was responsible for two of the four heat winners.
In the final heat of the night, Bogger Bible set a pretty high bar in the stake as the Kilkenny Champion Unraced finalist galloped to a comfortable victory. A September son of Skywalker Farloe and Bottle Of Banter, Bogger Bible was chasing back-to-back wins heading into this contest and he popped out in front from trap one to take the field into the opening corner. The powerful tracker drew clear thereafter and he was never under threat of being reeled in as the 6/4 shot stormed to a five length win over Abigails Power in second. The time was a flash 28.71.
Prior to that, Bogger Cabela set the tone for the ‘Bogger’ double as the litter sister of ‘Bible’ recorded a third career victory. Fast away from trap four, Bogger Cabela paced up well from the middle and she took control rounding the opening turn to shoot clear. Drumcrow Winx improved well to move second down the back but Bogger Cabela held off both Drumcrow Winx and Coosey Hall to claim a half length victory. The time for the 3/1 shot was a smart 28.92.
The aptly named Riverside Best (Ballymac Best - Body Clock) was next quickest in the opening round as the Graham Holland-trained charge bolted from boxes to make every post a winner. Flashing from five, the 5/4 chance quickly developed a healthy advantage and it was all one-way traffic as he galloped to a four and a half length victory over Cashen Unari in second. The time was 28.79.
The remaining heat was landed by Coolbunnia Frank for Noel Ryan and Lester Power. Sent off the 6/4 favourite from trap six, the son of Laughil Blake and Market Glory was headed in the early stages by the pacey Bloodsweatnbeers, however, this was short-lived as Coolbunnia Frank took control off the second turn. Opening an unassailable advantage thereafter, Ryan’s charge was six and a half lengths better off crossing the winning line. The time was 28.89.