HAZARD SCORES IN GREYHOUND & PETWORLD GOLDEN MUZZLE DECIDER

Peter Farrell

In what was another stacked card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night, the final of the Greyhound & Petworld Golden Muzzle 550 was the feature event and it was Hazelhill Hazard who picked the perfect night to double his career tally and land the €3,000 first prize on offer.

Despite facing a far from ideal draw out in trap six, Whats Up Jack was given the narrow vote heading into the decider based on his unbeaten run through the competition. However, after missing the kick, the 6/4 shot had to settle for a midfield position early on as Priceless King trapped best of all to head the field into the opening corner. Meanwhile, the strong-running Hazelhill Hazard was to turn second from trap four and at this point, Michael O’Connell’s charge was perfectly poised in his bid to produce one his trademark big finishes. Priceless King continued to set a good gallop out front however, and he had one length in hand midway down the back as both Hazelhill Hazard and the improving Whats Up Jack gave chase in behind. Paul Hennessy landed this event twelve months ago with Blastoff Harry and it looked like the Kilkenny handler would make it back-to-back wins but turning for home, Priceless King was noticeably tiring out front and there was no shortage of powerful performers in behind who were beginning to eat into the lead. Hazelhill Hazard was at the head of that particular line and it was the son of Droopys Sydney and Hazelhill Tess who loomed alongside the leader before storming up the home straight to win with ease. The 3/1 shot crossed the line one and a half lengths clear of the fast-finishing Ganja Gun in second, while Whats Up Jack was a further three parts of a length back in third. The time was 30.31 and many thanks are extended to Greyhound & Petworld for their continual sponsorship.

DANNY LEAVES IT LATE IN LIMERICK A4 DECIDER

Asides from the Golden Muzzle feature, the final of the Limerick Stadium A4 550 was also up for grabs and this went the way of the 4/6 favourite as Ferryforth Danny got up in the flying strides to land the €1,450 first prize.

Owned by William Egan, Ferryforth Danny had displayed tremendous gears in the prior rounds of this stake and it was hardly surprising to see the heavyweight son of Belles Direction and Ferryforth Belle sent off the warm favourite to land the spoils. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the classy black as he was slowly into stride from four as Knockalton Cash led early from trap three. Holding a narrow lead down the back from Home Noah in second, Ferryforth Danny sat in third at this point but was improving and still looked a threat despite having plenty on his plate with the penultimate bend fast approaching. Home Noah was to make his move around the bottom two bends to take up the mantle from Knockalton Cash, however, Ferryforth Danny still looked menacing as the greyhounds entered the home straight. Producing another big finish as the winning line loomed large, Ferryforth Danny stuck his head out and he crossed the line with just a neck to spare over the gallant Home Noah in second. A fine display from Egan’s charge, the time was a good 30.26.

ACE & PITCH QUICKEST IN TREATY CUP OPENER

The opening round heats of the Martin Ryan Transport Treaty Cup Open 350 also featured on last night’s Limerick card and there were joint fastest performers as both Serene Ace and Off The Pitch powered to smart victories.

Running in the second heat of the night, which was a red-hot affair, all eyes were on recent Shelbourne Park record-breaker Gizmo Cash and how he would fair early doors with the explosive Serene Ace (Scolari Me Daddy - Boleys Ace)on his immediate outside in trap two. However, questions were answered pretty early on as the Michael O’Donovan-trained speedster bolted from blue to show brilliant acceleration and lead into the opening turn. From here, Edmond Ryan’s charge tracked expertly to outgun his rivals and in truth, the likes of Gizmo Cash and Seomra Nate had no answers to the winner as he crossed the line with two and a half lengths in hand. The time for the 2/1 chance was a super 18.51.

PITCH PROVES A CUT ABOVE

In heat three, Off The Pitch (Droopys Jet - Sizzling Daisy) wasn’t to be outdone as he clocked identical figures to Serene Ace to win at a canter for Patrick Flanagan and Staurt Kenny.

A recent winner of the Island Bridge Sprint at Shelbourne Park, Off The PItch is one of the top sprinters in the land and he showed just why as he flashed from trap five to produce a devastating display of pace and power. Rocketing into the opening turn with clear daylight, the Marie Gilbert-trained star was a cut above his rivals and he powered up the home straight to see off Hawkfield Ava by four lengths. The time for the 4/6 jolly was 18.51.

MACY MAKES ALL

In the opening heat of the night, Moonlight Macy turned this into a procession as she dominated from the outset to win comfortably.

Owned by Kevin O’Mahoney, Moonlight Macy was installed the 7/4 favourite to land the spoils and she wasn’t hanging around at traprise as she flashed from orange to show her rivals a clean pair of paws into the opening corner. Sweeping the first bend, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Droopys Mazda extended her lead up the home straight and she crossed the line over six lengths better off than nearest rival, Quiet Kitty, in second. The time was a swift 18.78.

BRODY UPSETS THE ODDS

In the remaining opening round heat, Fleetwood Brody sprang an 8/1 upset as he claimed the scalp of some very smart sprinters for his owner David Harrington.

Trapping narrowly in front of Its My Bucks in trap two, Fleetwood Brody had company at the opening bend from both the latter and Rising Castle. However, despite shipping a bump, the son of Laughil Blake and Singing Hen had the outside advantage and he showed the superior stamina to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare over Its My Bucks in second. The time was 19.02.

IN OTHER RACES

There was a top-class debutant display in race three as Cabra Kronk powered to a memorable victory for Paddy Scally in Thurles. A June son of Cabra Firmino and Cabra Twister, this brindle came into the event with some eye-catching trials and he popped out of trap one to lead the field into the opening corner. From here, it was all one-way traffic for the 6/4 chance as he drew clear of his rivals to cross the line with six and a half lengths in hand. The time was a blistering 28.49.

In the final race of the night, Vigorous Buck justified his even money price tag with a seventh career win for owner Ronny Wuyts. Running from trap one, the son of Droopys Jet and Vigorous Lindsay never gave his followers a moment's worry as he powered to the front early doors, before proving a class above his rivals thereafter. Setting a ferocious gallop, Vigorous Buck was six lengths too strong for Ballyealan Bingo crossing the line, in a fantastic time of 28.52.