GIZMO SETS THE STANDARD IN FAIR WARRIOR
Ian Fortune
There was no surprise that Gizmo Cash set the standard in a tremendous opening round of the Matchbook Fair Warrior Sprint at Mullingar on Saturday night but there was also enough evidence in the remaining heats to suggest he won’t have things all his own way in the coming weeks.
Each of the seven heat winners won in style although non could match the 21.11 return of Gizmo Cash.
A red-hot favourite at 1-2, the Keeley McGee trained star broke fastest from two, opened a three lengths lead into the turn before maintaining his advantage throughout to see off Sunshine Tiger by the same margin.
AVA INITIATES A DOUBLE FOR KEELEY
It was the second winner on the card for McGee as Hawkfield Ava had earlier posted an impressive 21.26 in Heat 3.
Normally a flying starter, the daughter of Laughil Blake only bettered Confused Fitzy in the final yards into the turn. Once doing so, she went on to record a facile four and a half length victory in 21.26.
IN-FORM BONANZA GOES FAST
While Hawkfield Ava went fast, it was actually the Martin Lanney trained Crafty Bonanza that finished closed to Gizmo Cash on the clock as he dominated in the opening heat to record a rapid 21.22.
A winner in fine style on Derby final night, the son of Pat C Sabbath continued his fine run of form by racing to a very comfortable seven length victory over Breaghmore Rob.
JOEY JUMPS TO IT
Jim Darcy and Paul Horig sent out an impressive winner in the form of Mustang Joey in Heat 5. Ougham Sky challenged early but Mustang Joey pulled out extra to lead comfortably on the corner before staying on well for a three and a half length verdict in 21.34.
PANTS DANCES IN
Not known as a sprinter, Disco Pants took to the discipline like a duck to water in Heat 2, flashing from boxes to make every inch.
Owned by John Breen and Conor Healy, the son of Kinloch Brae emerged a deserving length winner over hot favourite Thirtynine Winks in 21.43.
SETANTA WINS WELL
John Durrigan has a wonderful record around Mullingar and he had an impressive heat winner in the form of Dromrich Setanta.
One of a line of greyhounds disputing the lead into the turn, the son of Jaytee Yankee maintained a true line on the wide outside to take up the running before the second turn. It was a decisive move as he went on to score by a length and a half from Saleen Poppy in 21.67.
COLM COMES HOME IN FRONT
Durrigan almost doubled up in the final heat with Dromrich Bula always challenging in the final heat. Importantly, Philip Haslam’s Clonuff Colm had the inside line and a narrow lead to play with from the early yards.
Entering the back straight with just over a length to spare, the son of Jaytee Yankee held off the late challenge of Dromrich Bula to score by a half length in 21.43.