BORNA THYMES IT WELL IN WILLIE MAHER MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,850 to the winner Willie Maher Memorial A3 525 served as the highlight at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and there was a popular winner in the shape of local runner, Borna Thyme.

 

After arriving in the decider boasting the only unbeaten record in the stake, Long Spartacus was expected to take some stopping and he was installed as the 6/4 favourite to land the spoils. Next best in the market was Borna Thyme and Unanimous Jax at 5/2 and it was the former who put his best foot forward to seal a first win of the competition on the night that mattered most.

 

Owned by Ruairi Dwan, Borna Thyme is an August 22’ whelp and his maiden victory came on debut in early April. That said, despite not managing to raise a flag since that night, he had shown enough in defeat to suggest a second career win wasn’t too far away for his local connections. Running from trap three, ‘Thyme’ was on the receiving end of his best break to date as he posted a slick 1.73 sectional early on. Chased in second by Long Spartacus, who missed the kick by his standards, patrons were all set for a thrilling battle entering the back straight. However, this didn’t materialize as although Long Spartacus bridged the gap approaching the penultimate turn, an unfortunate stumble saw his chances ended and this in turn allowed Borna Thyme to skip clear around the bottom two turns. Staying on stoutly thereafter, the son of Skywalker Canny and Candanchu powered his way up the Thurles straight to land victory and he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Hows Things Now, who came through strongly to finish second. The time was a fast 29.33 .20s.

 

SPLIT THE POT SUCCESS FOR MOORSTOWN KNIGHT

 

The supporting act on the card was the final of the €1,000 to the winner ‘Split The Pot ON2 525’ and this went the way of the even money favourite Moorstown Knight.

 

Owned by Joseph O’Flaherty, who incidentally recorded a double on the card with litter Sister, Moorstown Angie, also getting her head in front, Moorstown Knight was a winner on debut in a smart 29.41 and although handed defeat in the semis, he made eye-catching ground that suggested he would bang in contention in the decider. Just a September pup, the son of Droopys Sydney and Mays Blackstown was again only moderately into stride from trap six and he sat in midfield in the early exchanges as Malibu Chick held the aces. However, the strong-running style of ‘Knight’ was on full show once again and he upped the ante at the midway point to emerge a huge threat to the leader. Powering to the front, O’Flaherty’s charge stayed on expertly in the closing stages and he was two lengths too strong for Malibu Chic crossing the line. The time was 29.18 .20s.