HARVEY LEADS HOME A FAYPOINT ONE-TWO IN MUNSTER JUVENILE PUPPY CUP

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Graham Holland of the Riverside Stud, the final of the €7,000 to the winner Munster Juvenile Cup concluded at Clonmel on Sunday night and the sponsor claimed the first three places in the decider as litter brothers Faypoint Harvey and Faypoint Sean served up a thrilling contest.

The 2023 renewal of this prestigious event has been simply brilliant and there is no doubt that several participants will feature heavily across the 2024 greyhound racing calendar. Faypoint Sean came into the Cup boasting an unbeaten record of four wins from as many starts, while kennel companion, Annual Coco, had also lit up the stake with an incredible 28.18 second round performance. However, despite being handed a defeat by Faypoint Sean in round one, litter brother, Faypoint Harvey, was improving with every outing and after winning his semi final in terrific fashion, he made it back-to-back wins in the decider with another fantastic display. 

In a contest where the break was to prove of utmost importance, it was Faypoint Sean who trapped best of all, however, Faypoint Harvey (Droopys Sydney - Roaming Shari) also hit the ground running and he in fact displayed the superior early gears from trap four. Hitting the bend virtually together, the inside line was to prove crucial for ‘Harvey’ as he shouldered his brother out the way to take charge upon entrance to the back straight. At this point, Patricia Flanagan was in dreamland as her two charges galloped one-two down the back with Harvey holding a comfortable, three and a half length lead. Clocking a swift 16.18 to the penultimate turn, Faypoint Sean was now in full flow and he certainly made inroads rounding the bottom two bends as he bid to repeat his opening round display when reeling in his litter comrade. However, Faypoint Harvey wasn’t to suffer the same fate as round one when collared late by ‘Sean’ and he pulled out all the stops to cross the line with a half length to spare. The podium was filled by Annual Coco, who had missed the break early, and he is another who will go into many notepads going forward. The time was a fine 28.65 .10s and that concludes another sparkling Munster Juvenile Cup and many congratulations are extended to connections.

HOLLAND FOUR-TIMER

As well as training a one-two-three in the feature, Graham Holland sent out another three winners on the supporting card.

Romeo Hanzo was the first of the Riverside trackers to score in the ‘Newinn Taylor @ Stud Open 525’. A very warm 4/6 favourite, the son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Mila broke well but was led early on by the 2022 Juvenile Cup winner, Lilywhite Queen. Holding a two length advantage down the back, ‘Hanzo’ was forced to work hard to bridge the gap but he did so brilliantly to wear down the leader and cross the line with a half length to spare. The time was 28.81 .10s.

Shortly after, Newinn Bambi justified her even money price tag for owner Kevin O’Brien. An April 22’ daughter of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Cuckoo, she maintained her unbeaten career start with an off-the-pace effort from trap five. Coming home four lengths clear of Coolbeg Trinity in second, her time was 16.50.

After the exploits of Faypoint Harvey in the feature, the four-timer was completed in the concluding race on the card as Riverside Pingu overcame a hefty bump at the opener to make it three career wins. Running from five, the son of Newinn Taylor and Riverside Honey didn’t come away as he can but showed terrific early speed to take control. Drawing clear down the back, he galloped to a sixteen length win, in a time of 29.22 .10s.