BALLYCOWEN FRANK SETS THE STANDARD IN KENNEDY CUP HEATS AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The opening-round heats of the Gammell Car Sales Kennedy Cup 525 dominated Saturday night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and it was Ballycowen Frank who stole the show with a brilliant performance.

Trained by Dean Harpur for owner Debbie Doyle, Ballycowen Frank arrived with strong sprint form and confirmed his growing reputation with a dominant display in the concluding heat. Sent off as the 7/4 joint favourite alongside Sheezatwister, it was the latter who broke best from trap one, forcing Ballycowen Frank to settle for second after a sluggish start. However, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Peckies Flyer quickly found his rhythm down the back straight, cutting into the leader’s advantage and drawing level approaching the third bend. From there, Harpur’s charge powered clear, relishing the extra distance to score impressively by seven lengths over Sheezatwister. The winning time of 28.48 seconds was the fastest of the night and sets a high benchmark going forward.

IN OTHER HEATS

Next best in terms of the clock was Frenchford Madam in heat one as the Vincent McKenna-trained charge powered to a fourth career win. Owned by the South-Bronze-Syndicate, ‘Madam’ was installed as the 7/4 jolly and broke with intent from trap three to narrowly lead Starson Sixo on the run-up. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes held a two length advantage into the back and remained in full control thereafter. Storming up the hill, McKenna’s tracker crossed the line with four and a half lengths to spare over Starson Sixo in second. The time was a brisk 28.63.

Heat two saw Beaming Zen (4/1) come from off-the-pace to score for the first time. Jointly owned by Corona Ryan and Christopher Connolly, the daughter of Doolin Duke and Beaming Smasher showed real determination to come from off the pace and land the spoils in fine style. The market focus was on the 4/5 favourite Jacktavern Turbo but his chances were dashed early after a slow start and traffic trouble on the opening bend. In contrast, Da Ganger made the early running, taking a clear lead into the back straight as Beaming Zen railed tightly in second, some five lengths adrift. Closing rapidly approaching the third turn, Beaming Zen swept past the leader rounding the final bend and drew clear to win convincingly by three and a half lengths. She stopped the clock in 28.75 seconds, a smart effort and a clear sign of further progress to come.

The remaining heat was claimed by Mongys Tiger who also broke his maiden tag for the first time in five starts. Owned by Rachel Murphy, the strapping 79-pounder went to traps as a 3/1 chance and he broke well to dispute the early running with Skippy Fantasy in six. However, the latter was luckless at the opening bend and this allowed ‘Tiger’ to skip clear down the back, opening a three length lead over Kyletaun Lucky in second. Staying on stoutly thereafter, Murphy’s brindle and white crossed the line with four lengths in hand over his rival, in a time of 28.71.