SETANTA SENDS THE STANDARD AS THE BALLYMAC TEAM ENJOY A GREAT DOUBLE IN ROUND TWO OF THE LAURELS

SETANTA SENDS THE STANDARD AS THE BALLYMAC TEAM ENJOY A GREAT DOUBLE IN ROUND TWO OF THE LAURELS

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC SETANTA once again delivered another spectacular performance at Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the Liam Dowling-trained runner set the standard in round two of the Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels.

The 4-6 favourite produced a moderate start, but he was showing lovely pace into the opening corner. Faypoint Harvey was setting the fractions up front, and the impressive winner displayed massive pace down the back straight, leading before the third corner. Staying on powerfully up front, the Ballymac runner came home two lengths clear of Faypoint Harvey, in the quickest of the session, a flying 28.09 on tough conditions.

Solo And Go completed the Dowling double as the leading fancy for outright glory bounced back to winning ways after a luckless run last week. Owned by the Kingdom Palace Syndicate, the 4-6 favourite took a flyer to lead early, and the outcome was never in any doubt. Magical On Fire made late gains to get within a length in 28.25.

DROOPYS IMPRESSIVE ONCE MORE

Droopys Patriot made no mistakes as the Robert Gleeson-trained runner led early and went on to win easily. In the ownership of the Newmarket Racing Syndicate, the 2-5 favourite took control before the opening corner, and he pulled away on the back straight. A 28.29 winning run, seven and a half lengths clear of Unanimous Leo, who himself ran well for second after doing things wrong early on.

IN OTHER HEATS

Prince Naseem, trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for owner Kim Bergin, caught the eye when winning and returning to winning ways. The 4-1 shot came away racing to lead, and from there, it was game over. Such a strong running tracker, the powerful running tracker kept on well up front, coming home five lengths clear of the unlucky in running Born To Perform.

Out of luck in recent times, Faypoint Ranger made full use of the inside line to return to winning form. Trained by Graham Holland for owner Patricia Flanagan, the even-money favourite flew into the opening corner in front, pulling clear down the back, he came home five lengths clear of Ballymac Brandan, in 28.17.

Only on his fourth career start, Ballycowen Archy, trained by Dean Harpur for Debbie Doyle, was another to bounce out in front and make all the running. It's a fantastic litter and the well-bred January puppy displayed plenty of early pace to lead. Always doing enough up front, the exciting prospect got the better of Bruce Bay by a length and a half, in 28.64, at odds of 4-1.

Boozed Burgess, trained by Paraic Campion for Ozzie Bennett, made all the running to win, in 28.63. A consistent sort for connections, the 7-2 shot was in front early, and he kept finding generously at the head of affairs. A really determined effort, coming home a length clear of the running on Made To Measure.

Lemon Joey, trained by Murt Leahy for owners The Short Back And Shoes Syndicate, delivered a fine 28.42 winning performance. The talented performer produced one of his quickest starts, and in truth, he always looked good up front. Showing plenty of pace throughout, he got the better of Blastoff Heffo by a length and a half, in 28.42. The first four races were rated sand. Races five, six, and seven were 0.10 slow, and the final couple of races were 0.20 slow.

It's quarter finals night next Saturday night and another massive crowd is expected. The Bart Leahy Memorial A2 Stake will also feature on the night, and the opening round produced some top-class displays on Friday night. 

BART LEAHY A2 MEMORIAL

The star of the opening round was Lennies Tank as the 2-7 favourite ran out a wide margin winner for trainer Paul Hennessy and owner Lee Craze. The well-fancied favourite pulled right away, winning in style in a top-class, 28.31.

Trainer Graham Holland also produced some nice winners, Garfiney Warrior (28.41), Beanos Yank (28.70), and Low Profile (28.67). The James Kelleher-trained Queen Lulu was another to go fast as she scored in 28.65. The Jennifer O'Donnell-trained The Other Aari made it three wins from as many starts, winning in 28.63.