AN UNNOTICED TREBLE FOR MATTHEWS KENNEL

Ian Fortune

Brendan Matthews and all at Townview Kennels may have suffered a disappointing defeat in the Maiden Derby at Towcester on Sunday but Saturday’s results at Shelbourne would have perked them up somewhat as they recorded a notable treble.

Of course, Fernandes took off in the opening race of the night, recording an incredible 31.10 on a track that was conservatively rated .40 slow at the time. One suspects, had the going been normal, he may have actually given the 575yd record a real fright.

It was the only Brendan Matthews trained winner on the night but their outfit is far more than a training operation and the victories of Tullovin Vita and the remarkably consistent Auxerre gave them a treble of sorts.

Both greyhounds were bred by the Newry Maestro and both impressed in their respective outings. As it happens, all three winners are from the incredible Toms Delight line. Auxerre is a son of the wonderful brood, while both Fernandes and Tullovin Vita are out of daughters of Toms Delight.

Incredibly, had it not been for the brilliance of Sentimental Lad, they could well have been responsible for a fourth winner as Getawaywithit ran a massive race in second in the finale. She’s from a different line as a daughter of another wonderful brood, Precious Story.