BALE SCORES IN TALKING DOGS DECIDER AS BOYLESPORTS DAZLS ON DEBUT

BALE SCORES IN TALKING DOGS DECIDER AS BOYLESPORTS DAZLS ON DEBUT

Peter Farrell

The final of the Talking Dogs A3/A4 600 served as the highlight on last night’s Limerick card and it went the way of Ballygur Bale as he produced a terrific performance to land the €1,550 feature.

It certainly is a breath of fresh air to see competitions being carried out over the extended trips and the Talking Dogs 600 has served up some brilliant action at the Munster venue over the past number of weeks. The stake was a closely run affair throughout with very little separating several of the finalists heading into the decider and the finale continued that theme as Ballygur Bale came out the right side of a thrilling contest.

Owned by William Hanlon, Ballygur Bale won his opening round assignment but was forced to settle for the minor placings thereafter after encountering far from straightforward passages throughout the stake. However, he showed fantastic courage and track craft last night to reel in Hyde Park and land the spoils at 3/1. Quickly into stride from trap three, Ballygur Bale disputed with Millroad Brandy early doors but despite missing the kick slightly, Hyde Park displayed sizzling early gears to zoom past his rivals and lead around the opening corner. Setting a strong gallop down the back, Hyde Park held a two length advantage over the favourite, Beaming Becca, but as she drifted wide down the back, this allowed Ballygur Bale to continue building momentum and quickly improve into second place. Two lengths separating the leading pair at this point, Ballygur Bale wasn’t to be denied on this occasion as the son of Magical Bale and Ballygur Mel relished every yard of the long run home to collar the gallant Hyde Park, who had played his part in a thrilling decider. Flying across the line, Hanlon’s charge had one and a half lengths in hand over Hyde Park, with Beaming Becca staying on well to claim third. The time was 32.96 and many congratulations are extended to the winning connections.

BOYLESPORTS DAZLS ON DEBUT

Without doubt the standout performance of the night came in the Open Novice contest in race five as Boylesports Dazl dominated from the outset for owner John Boyle.

Trained by Dolores Ruth, Boylesports Dazl came into this contest with a big reputation having posted 28.43 and 28.54 in qualifying. That said, his stock rose emphatically after his debut showing last night as he produced one of the most brilliant debuts in recent memory to see off some top-class puppies. The understandable 4/6 favourite at the off, Boylesports Dazl made his intentions clear from the outset with a terrific break from trap two, posting a rapid 1.24 sectional in the process. Turning a two length advantage into four lengths down the back, the beautifully bred son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Petsy extended his lead in the closing stages to cross the line with six and a half lengths in hand over Ballymac Seanie in second. No doubt we will be hearing more from this greyhound in the coming months, most likely in the Kirby, he posted an incredible 28.28.

IN OTHER RACES

In race three, Amigan Ulla maintained his unbeaten career start for owner Jimmy White and trainer James Roche. A winner in 28.88 on debut, the May 21’ whelp was a 3/1 shot at the off and he used his rails pitch in two to his advantage to nip around in front heading into the back straight. Kyletaun Jerry gave chase in second and he played his part in a ding-dong battle, however, Amigan Ulla (Broadstrand Bono - Amigan Rogue) came out on top by half a length. The time was 28.75.

In race four, Burgess Canon ran out a comfortable winner for JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane. Trained by Paraic Campion, the even money favourite broke smartly from trap three and he took a slender advantage into the back from Elms Fun in second. Little to separate the pair heading down the back straight, Burgess Canon pulled clear in the closing stages and the massive son of Droopys Sydney and Burgess Helena was three and a half lengths better off crossing the line. The time was 28.67.

Mendelson enjoyed a fine qualifying campaign and he broke his duck at the third time of asking in race eleven as he won in comprehensive fashion for Leger winning connections, Ger Hutton and Thomas O’Donovan. The 6/4 favourite, Mendelson broke well from the inside and he hugged the rail rounding the opener to create daylight. From here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ravenna drew clear of his rivals to cross the line with six lengths in hand over Rattlefence in second. The time was 28.50.

The concluding race on the card saw another brilliant display from Ballymac Johnjo. Owned by Liam Dowling, this greyhound had displayed massive speed from halfway in his earlier starts and these tactics were on full show last night. It was Wi Can Dream and Adamant Approach who disputed early on with the latter taking control down the back. However, Ballymac Johnjo was ominous at the midway point and he paced up on the outer to take over. From here, the son of Ballymac Anton and Art Of Illusion was very strong in the closing yards to come home three lengths clear of Adamant Approach in second. The time was 29.94 for the 550-yard trip.