CORPORATE JACK LANDS LIMERICK 600 IN SUPER STYLE

Peter Farrell

There was a €1,000 prize on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the final of the Limerick A3 600 took place and this was landed in emphatic fashion by the improving Corporate Jack.

 

Karacreek Ranch headed into the decider as the justifiable even money favourite after Karol Ramsbottom’s charge posted a fast 32.53 in the opening round, before landing his semi final assignment in 32.92 last weekend. However, on the night he had no answer to Corporate Jack as Declan Beary’s August pup reversed the form with the favourite to win in brilliant style. Running from trap one, the son of Vic Vega and Ontheredcarpet wasted no time in asserting his authority as he broke spritely from trap one to hold all the aces on the run to the opening turn. Followed in second by Karacreek Ranch, in truth there was no danger to Corporate Jack as he set a blistering gallop down the back straight and he was well on his way to recording a third career win from just seven starts. Maintaining his relentless pace throughout the stiff 600-yard distance, Corporate Jack showed an abundance of stamina in crossing the line two and a half lengths clear of Karacreek Ranch in second. The time was a rapid 32.51.

 

SUPPORTING CARD

 

In the opener, there was a brilliant performance on debut in the ON2 525 by the John Byrne owned and trained Knockalton Boy. 5/4 at the off, the October pup made his intentions clear from the outset with a slick exit from trap two to outpace his rivals on the run-up. Thereafter, the son of Confident Rankin and Knockalton Emily came under late pressure from Swift Jeromo, however, kept just enough in reserve to emerge a half length winner in a fast 28.53.

 

Race four saw Blastoff Rex (Grangeview Ten - Blastoff Fizz) bounce back from a last place finish last time out to post a career best effort. Owned by the Racing-Bucks-Syndicate, the 2/1 chance played second fiddle behind Magical Geronimo early doors, however, proved too strong for his rival  as the 2/1 chance took over at the penultimate turn. Staying on strongly thereafter, ‘Rex’ emerged a four length winner in 28.62.

 

Billy Guiney is never too far away from the winners circle and he was represented brilliantly by Ballygibba Sam (Sonic - Ballygibba Dawn) in race seven. A winner last time out over Tyrap Finn when coming from behind, he showed his early speed on this occasion to make every yard and win comfortably by three and a half lengths. Tyrap Finn in second, the time was a very fast 28.54.

 

Race nine also saw a trap-to-line performance from Jebel Ali Paddy for the Hi-From-Dubai-Syndicate. Trained by Lucy Roche, ‘Ali Paddy’ was without a win since early April, however, pinged out from trap five to dictate the early running. From there, the son of Magical Bale and Jumeirah Charm emerged a 5/1 winner as he saw off Snuggie Bonnie by two lengths. The time was a terrific 28.54.

 

The concluding race on the card saw the ever-impressive Sogna In Grande bounce back to winning ways for Jack Kennelly. Despite suffering a slight bump at the opener after a decent start, the son of Laughil Blake and Fast Hurling hit the front once again passing the sprint boxes and he stayed on stoutly to record an eleventh career win, in 28.65.