CLONA DUKE THE EARLY PACESETTER IN KIRBY OPENER

Peter Farrell

The eagerly anticipated opening round of the 2023 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and it certainly didn’t disappoint with a number of top-class performances on show.

Of the twelve heats on offer, it wasn’t surprising to see the likes of Clona Duke produce an outstanding display but the likes of Scaglietti, La Conquistador and Bens Teddy also impressed in their respective heats, while there also was room for a big upset as Ryhope Beach had to settle for a qualifying spot in third.

DUKE SETS THE STANDARD

The reigning RPGTV Juvenile Derby Champion, Clona Duke, came into the Classic fresh from an exceptional 28.13 trial around the Munster venue and he built on that performance with a devastating display in heat three.

Coming up against some hugely talented rivals, they were no match for Kevin O’Brien and Graham Holland’s tracker as he blew holes in the field in his bid for an historic juvenile double. Running from trap one, Clona Duke came away racing and he narrowly led Pape Di Oro into the opening turn. Once in front, it was always going to take a monumental effort to reel in the son of Malachi and Coolavanny Pearl as he set a scorching gallop before running out a five and a half length winner over Pape Di Oro in second. The time for the even money favourite was a sensational 28.07.

HEAT WATCH

Heat six saw another standout performance as Scaglietti made it six wins from just eleven starts for Pat Guilfoyle and Cheryl Sutcliffe. Coming into the event Scaglietti had some attractive clocks elsewhere and looked tailor-made for the Limerick circuit as he lined out in trap one. That said, he had plenty on his plate early doors as both Skirk Gem and Verratti showed first. The latter was to take control entering the back straight but Scaglietti was making eye-catching ground down the back straight and he ranged alongside the leader approaching the penultimate. Taking charge at this point, the son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller drew clear thereafter as he quickly assembled a five and a half length advantage from Verratti in second. The time was a blistering 28.21.

In the opening heat, Road Exile got the Classic off to a flier as he made it five wins from as many starts. Trained by Pat Buckley for R.A Colwell, the son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile was a 28.44 winner last time out and he shaved another half length off that clock with a trap to line display. Leading early from three, Road Exile, the 4/6 jolly, made every post a winner as he galloped to a comfortable, two and a half length victory over Lotto Other News in second. The time was 28.40.

Jack Kennelly and Leonard O’Hanlon have a lovely prospect on their hands as Beepers Lariat landed heat two in facile style at odds of 4/1. A June 21’ whelp, the son of Droopys Sydney and Beaming Smasher was a 28.50 winner on debut at Tralee and although led early in this contest, he was to have too much class in the latter half of the contest. Taking charge between the bottom two turns, Beepers Lariat drew clear up the home straight to win by seven lengths from Storys Law in second. The time was 28.43.

Michael Corr has enjoyed some fine success at Limerick in the past after reaching the final of the Leger a number of years back with Meenagh Miracle and his long journey from Tyrone was made worthwhile in heat four as La Conquistador galloped to a comprehensive win at odds of 5/2. Running from trap four, Roy Ball and Trevor Pearson’s charge broke smartly to pace up early and hold the initiative. From here, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Velvet Lily May was never under pressure as he ran out a six and a half length winner over Glengar Ace in second. The time was 28.31.

Bens Teddy will be fancied by many to go deep into this year’s renewal and he showed just why that is as he came from off-the-pace to claim heat five in impressive fashion. Running from trap one, the Pat Buckley-trained tracker, owned by Kim Pritchard, broke moderately but showed a nice turn of early pace to turn a close second behind kennel companion Ower Mystery. It was a case of the cream rising to the top thereafter as the 4/5 shot made steady progress down the back straight before taking charge at the midway point. From here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Beechgrove Bell ran out a two and a half length winner, in a time of 28.35.

Boylesports Dazl produced an incredible debut at Limerick at the beginning of the month and the even money shot built on that win in heat seven. Trained by Dolores Ruth for John Boyle, this one was all one-way traffic as he pinged the lids from trap one to lead. Despite shipping a pretty hefty bump at the opener, it was to prove a routine night’s work for the son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Petsy as he ran out a four and a half length winner over Bogger Lucky in second. The time was 28.81.

It certainly was a night to be out and gone at Limerick and 2/1 shot Sober Glory deployed similar tactics in heat eight for Karol Ramsbottom. Owned by Sean Malone, the son of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan came away racing wearing the red jacket and he led Ballynew King into the opener, from here, Sober Glory set a fine gallop and although Gaytime Hugo made the leader sweat in the closing stages, he still had one and a half lengths in hand crossing the line. The time was 28.45.

Heat nine followed the script as Boylesports Gift ran to a virtual solo for John Boyle and Paul Hennessy. The heavyweight tracker meant business from the off as the 2/1 chance broke swiftly from trap three to lead his rivals a merry dance into the opener. Once turning clear, it was all over as a contest as the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Hugh Dream drew clear to beat Hovex Tommy by seven and a half lengths, in a time of 28.39.

Heat ten saw Robert Gleeson get on the scoresheet as Whyaye Man (Droopys Jet - Droopys Megan) gained a narrow victory over Millridge Levi. Owned by Martin Langley, Whyaye Man was first to show from trap three and he took the field into the opening corner. Millridge Levi was to take over however, and after a thrilling contest in the closing stages, Whyaye Man wasn’t to be denied as he came back for more to win by a head, in 28.63.

The penultimate heat of the night saw a big upset take place as Ryhope Beach paid the price for a poor start in trap five. Similarly, Mr Incredible (Malachi - Droopys Saga) isn’t known for his early paced attributes and he too broke poorly to trail the field early doors. In contrast however, the Brendan Matthews-trained charge is known for his power-pack finishes and this was to pay dividends for connections. Picking his way through the field, Mr Incredible was to produce a big effort in coming home one and a half lengths clear of Knockboy Curragh in second. Ryhope Beach, meanwhile, lost very little in defeat as he came through strongly to safely advance into the next week's second round, in third. The time was 28.69.

Just as Pat Buckley kick-started the 2023 Kirby with the opening heat winner, he ended the night in similar style as Terezas Mendoza came out on top. Another who had some smashing form around Tralee coming into the event, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Burgess Helena broke moderately from three but took up the running rounding the opener after some traffic out wide. From here, Terezas Mendoza pulled clear of her rivals and she crossed the line with eight lengths to spare over Sogna In Grande in second. The time was 28.64.