ALL ABOUT JACKTAVERN BOLT IN THE LAURELS AS HE MAKES IT SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS
Barry Drake
JACKTAVERN BOLT made it seven straight wins in Curraheen Park on Saturday night with another stunning display in the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels which is in accusation with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing.
Trained by Graham Holland for the Pillar Syndicate, the even-money favourite produced one of his usual flying starts from trap five and he stormed around the opening corners in front. Glengar Martha turned second and she was soon within a length and a half, however, Jacktavern Bolt remained in top gear throughout. It was a sensational display as he galloped powerfully to the line, just holding the strong run of Glengar Martha, by half a length, in 27.99, the quickest run of the Laurels this year. Five and a half lengths back to Bouncing Lad in third place.
HOLLAND 1-2
Trainer Graham Holland recorded a 1-2 in heat number seven, High Trend putting on a likeable display for owners the R-T-And-Syndicate.
The 9-4 second favourite made all the running to win in style, clocking 28.23 and coming home six lengths clear of Glory Baz in second place. A length back to Millridge Zara in third place.
FLYING START
In the opening heat, Rathdown Molly got the second round of the Laurels off to a terrific start by delivering a superb front-running winning display.
Trained by Marie Gilbert for owner Bill Mulholland, the 6-4 second choice of the punters came away quickly and once she won the all-important early lead, the race always looked in safekeeping. In total control throughout, the impressive winner ran out a five-length winner over Rural Taylor, in 28.12, with five lengths back to Daring Bowie in third place.
POWERFUL DISPLAY
In the third heat, the powerful running Millridge Byrce returned to top form for Donal O'Mahony. Swords Rex was a non-runner in this heat so it opened the door for the well-drawn winner along the inside of the track. It was all about the flying early pace of Ballymun Boy early on as he pulled about eight lengths clear down into the third corner. From here, the Millridge runner hit top gear and he produced an outstanding finish to reel in Ballymun Boy and land the spoils, in 28.15, a length and a half clear of the early leader, with three and a half lengths back to Droopys Rocker in third place.
DOUBLE FOR OWNER THOMAS GLYNN
In the following heat, leading hope for outright glory, Carrick Aldo recorded back-to-back winning performances at the Cork venue.
Just making the corner in front from the outside of the track, the 4-6 favourite quickened clear on the back straight and the Thomas Glynn-owned runner was strong throughout. Another beautiful display, clocking 28.19 and coming home with three and a half lengths to spare over Trouble. Kilbarry Travel was six and a half lengths back in third.
It was a night to remember for owner Thomas Glynn as Carrick Fergie ran out a fine winner of heat six, this time for trainer Robert Gleeson. Burgess Supreme made a lot of the early running, but the 6-1 winner always looked dangerous in second and Carrick Fergie pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to deny the Produce Stakes Champion, by three-quarters of a length, in 28.34, with a length and a length and a half back to the fast finishing Easy Razzle in third.
IN OTHER HEATS
In the second heat, Clona Rocko landed the spoils for trainer Michael Taggart and owner Daniel Kerr. Showing lovely early speed along the outside of the track and with trouble on the inside, the 5-2 shot sailed around the opening corners in front. Five lengths clear approaching the second last bend, Clona Rocko did enough to score, in 28.53, a length and a half clear of the running on Radical Hero. Three lengths back to Bogger Rambo in third place.
In the closing heat, Grouchos Vic impressed with another classy display, winning for owners David Carroll and Luke O'Connell. The 4-1 shot sat second early as hot favourite Droopys Beglin was taking them along at the head of affairs. However, the improving winner was strongest in the closing stages, running on well to make it back-to-back wins in the Laurels, posting 28.33 and getting the better of Droopys Beglin, by three-quarters of a length, with three lengths back to Role Model in third place.