A BUCKLEY TAKE-OVER IN TIPPERARY CUP SEMIS
Peter Farrell
On what was an extremely busy night up and down the Country, the semi finals of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup also featured at Thurles Greyhound Stadium and it proved a Pat Buckley take-over on the night as he accounted for both semi final winners in the shape of Bobsleigh Syd and Singalong Dolly.
The 2024 renewal has proved incredibly strong and although Seven Beach set a blistering standard in the opening round, the likes of Bonkersandyonkers and Tribal Syd were just a couple of runners that came to the fore last weekend. Fast-forward another seven days however, and another greyhound has thrown his cap into the ring in the form of Bobsleigh Syd.
Owned by the Off-The-Radar-Syndicate, Bobsleigh Syd is known for his awesome early speed but he looked to be finding life tough at Thurles over the past couple of weeks when forced to settle for the minor placings. However, he was to bounce back to winning ways in stunning fashion in the opening semi as the 4/1 outsider produced a demolition job over what can only be described as a red-hot field. Running from three, ‘Syd’ came away well from his middle berth to post a 1.74 sectional and his sizzling early speed was on full show as he excelled on the run-up to hold all the aces early doors. Followed by Bonkersandyonkers at this point, who benefited from some crowding at the opener, next in line was Tribal Syd, who failed to reproduce his brilliant exit from traprise last time out in six. Taking a commanding lead into the back, ‘Syd’ was some four lengths clear of Bonkerandyonkers in second and although a questionable stayer at the best of times, it became clear very quickly that this contest was already in the bag for the son of Droopys Sydney and Bobsleigh Jet. Tracking beautifully around the final two bends, ‘Syd’ maintained his stunning gallop and he emerged five lengths clear of Bonkersandyonkers in second, while Tribal Syd recovered brilliantly to finish just a short-head further back in third. The time was a magical 28.72 .20s.
DOLLY BACK IN BUSINESS
Despite tasting defeat last time out, it is never wise to rule out a bitch of the calibre of Singalong Dolly and the Classic winning tracker returned to winning ways in flawless fashion.
Gilbert Anderson’s bitch was sent to traps as a 2/1 chance in behind Seven Beach (4/6) and the duo broke best of all along with Tinahue Pappone in trap three. The latter just about turned in front and some crowding in behind allowed ‘Pappone’ to open a three length lead down the back from the chasing pack in behind. At this point, both Singalong Dolly and in particular, Mustang Sally, were making rapid inroads into the lead, however, ‘Sally’ was luckless in running and was forced to check entering the penultimate turn. In contrast, Sinaglong Dolly stuck tight to the rails and this was to prove decisive for the Pat Buckley-trained daughter of Droopys Sydney. Now in full throttle, the Cesarewitch winner took charge rounding the third bend and she stayed on as you would expect to claim a two and a half length win over Borna Flame, who also finished with a wet sail, in second. The final qualifying spot went to Seven Beach, who again didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages, and the time was 28.83 .20s.