BREDA RAISES THE BAR IN SYDNEY & BALE UNRACED AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The second round action of the Deerjet Sydney & Glengar Bale @ Stud Unraced Bitch stake continued last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and it picked up where it left off last week with a number of top-class performances.

Deelish Oreo went quickest in the opening round when clocking an impressive 28.70 and although managing to maintain her unbeaten run last night, it was Bredas Wood who raised the bar further with a terrific performance in recording 28.49.

Owned by Pat Carey, Bredas Wood had come into this unraced with some eye-catching qualifying trials, none more so than her 29.17 effort around Limerick, but was forced to settle for third on her debut as she came home in behind Hovex Gracie. Facing some stiff opposition in the form of both Good April and Riverside Lisa in last night’s second round, Bredas Wood produced a standout display, one of which her rivals had no answers to. Sent to traps a 6/4 shot, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Leamaneigh Breda came away racing from trap two and she accelerated into the corner to hold a healthy advantage into the back straight. Three lengths clear of Good April in second, Carey’s runner clocked 16.13 to the penultimate turn and she maintained that relentless gallop all the way to the winning line. Two lengths clear of Good April at the finish, the time was a blistering 28.49.

HEAT WATCH

Next best in terms of the clock came in heat three as Epic Diva bounced back from her opening round defeat to justify her 4/5 starting price. Owned by Maria Kennedy, Epic Diva was a notable second place finisher last time out when still managing to clock 28.88 and she built on that display when a trap to line victory from a favourable draw in one. Into stride well on the fence, the well-bred daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Jaytee Sahara took full control at the opener and from here, she set a strong gallop to come home three lengths clear of Tory Aria in second. The time was a rapid 28.65.

Crossfield Maxi (Droopys Sydney - Crossfield Kate) was just one length behind Hovex Gracie in the opening round but she went one better for Brendan O’Shea last night to dead-heat with the Brian Hannigan-owned Mindies Sue (Droopys Sydney - Mindies Lollie). Crossfield Maxi was well supported and was installed as the 4/6 favourite at the off but had to settle for second place early doors as Mindies Sue set a powerful gallop in front. Little more than one length separating the pair throughout, Crossfield Maxi rallied late on to dead-heat with the longtime leader, Mindies Sue. The time was a fast 28.80.

In the final heat of the night, Deelish Oreo made it back-to-back wins for Mary Kennedy as she showed another thread to her bow. Installed as the 6/4 favourite after a smart opening round performance, Deelish Oreo had four lengths to make up heading into the back as Shes Non Stop took charge after a troublesome run to the opening corner. Halving the deficit around the bottom two bends, Deelish Oreo shot up the inside on the run for home and the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Shirley rallied to cross the line with a neck to spare over Shes Non Stop in second. The time was 28.91.