RECORD-BREAKING DISPLAY FROM THREESIXFIVE IN IRISH CAMBRIDGESHIRE OPENER
Peter Farrell
Patrons were treated to something very special at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as recent Irish Derby finalist, Threesixfive, smashed the 750-yard track record in the opening round of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire.
In what was another brilliant card at Limerick, the final of the Go Greyhound Racing 600 also featured on the night but the headlines must go to Threesixfive, who returned to six-bends in the most dominant style as she shaved a near five lengths off the previous track record held by Roaming Mystery.
Kindly sponsored by Dan Flynn of Roma Casino, the Irish Cambridgeshire is one of the flagship events for marathon runners and it’s not surprising to see so many of the top six-bend stars flock to Limerick in chase of the €5,000 first prize. Although there were several big names in hat for the event, Threesixfive certainly stood out given her recent Irish Derby exploits at Shelbourne Park and she was simply sensational on the night as she powered to victory. Trained by Scott Phelan for the Pints-Of-Heino-Syndicate, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Dunquin Anna was a rather generous even money shot prior to the start and she trapped well from four to show the superior early dash and go neck and neck with English raider, Beach Babe, around the opener. Quickly asserting to go two lengths clear up the home straight for the first time, it was at the sprint boxes where Threesixfive really excelled over her rival. Stretching her advantage to five lengths at this point, Threesixfive continued to draw clear of Beach Babe as she stamped home her superiority, staying very strongly to cross the line with seven lengths in hand. Beach Babe ran an incredible race in second for Tom Levers and Pat Buckley, while Catunda Syd also stayed on well, a further three lengths back in third. The time was a simply incredible 41.08, .32 quicker than the previous track record held by Roaming Mystery.
HEAT WATCH
Heat two gave the reigning Corn Cuchullainn champion, Kinturk Road, the chance to stake her claim in the Cambridgeshire and she did so emphatically. Trained by Liam Dowling for Frank Thorton, she too went to traps at generous odds of even money and she looked a safe bet once trapping in front from four. Chased down the back by Ballymac Aggie, Hukum emerged as the main threat as he displayed brilliant back straight pace to give chase approaching the fifth. However, Kinturk Road is as accomplished as they come in Marathon racing and the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta stayed on stoutly to deny Hukum by two and a half lengths, while Ballymac Aggie secured third. The time was another very fast 41.46.
Paul Hennessy clearly has a soft spot for this competition and that’s not surprising given it was landed by both Jaytee Japan and Hello Hammond in recent years. This time around, he sent out McNeill and he duly obliged in heat three for owner Carol O’Riordan. Also sent off at odds of even money, McNeill didn’t come away too fluently and he was led early on by both Sunshine Dream and Newport Pier. Sitting third entering the back straight, it was here where the son of Jaytee Jet and Home Julie made his move and he did so expertly, slicing through the middle of his rivals to take charge. Thereafter, it was one-way traffic for McNeill as he stayed on stoutly to cross the line with one and half lengths in hand over Newport Pier in second, with Sunshine Dream taking third. The time was 41.86 and one suspects there is much more to come from McNeill with a clear run.
The final heat of the night was landed by another Paul Hennessy-trained runner in the form of Da Bold Freddie as continued his recent good form. A 6/4 chance at the off, he made his intentions clear from traprise as he boxed smartly from three to quickly take control. Opening a sizable lead around the third and fourth bends, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Belle was showing no signs of stopping despite this being his debut performance over six-bends. Continuing to assert in the closing yards, Da Bold Freddie was ultra-professional as he crossed the line with three and a half lengths in hand over Ballyard Oscar in second, while Lisadora claimed the final qualifying position in third. The time was 41.76.
TUPPENCE UPSETS THE ODDS IN 600 DECIDER
Aside from the Cambridgeshire action, the final of the €1,800 to the winner Go Greyhound Racing A3 600 took centre stage and there was a mighty upset as Fantasy Tuppence landed the spoils at odds of 6/1.
The favourite prior to the off was understandably Chestnut King after his record-breaking display in round two but after a really poor start from trap two, this ultimately ended his chances of claiming the silverware. In contrast, Ballygur Bale took a flier from five but the long run to the opener saw Larchill Port take charge. This was short-lived however as Fantasy Tuppence, who incredibly was still searching for a first career victory, tracked brilliantly to avoid trouble early on and swoop to the front for the Top-Benefit-Syndicate. Trained by Albert Mullins, Fantasy Tuppence was now firmly in charge down the back and despite the strong-running Borna Flame setting off in chase, she was never able to get on terms. A strong running display from Fantasy Tuppence, the daughter of Redzer Ardfert and Fantasy Lane stayed every yard of the long run home to cross the line with one and a half lengths clear of Borna Flame in second. The time was 32.91.