NORA LANDS KILLEE TOWN UNRACED

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,000 to the winner Killee Town Unraced 525 featured on a ten-race card at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and it was the favourite, Cooladerry Nora that claimed success with a fast finish.

A fine second behind Racenight Kevin in the semis, the latter was ineligible for the final and as such, it wasn’t surprising to see Cooladerry Nora installed as the 5/4 favourite. That said, Sean Meaney’s charge didn’t get everything her own way as she was forced to do it the hard way with an off-the-pace performance. It was Morthers Mustang that took a flier to lead from trap three and as she rounded the opener, Painters Money was in second with Cooladerry Nora some four lengths adrift entering the back straight. The pack closed entering the penultimate bend and it was Painters Money that nipped up the inside, however, Cooladerry Nora was closing rapidly at this point as she went for a daring run up the inside to challenge. Indeed, this proved an astute move for the daughter of Malachi and Vigorous Orla as she took ownership of the rails to loom alongside Painters Money. Glenhead Jack was also showing interest at this point as this thrilling encounter came to a close but it was Cooladerry Nora that pulled out all the stops to see off ‘Jack’ by half a length. The time was 29.21.

TARSNA DOUBLE

Elsewhere on the card, there was a nice double for the kennel of Geoff Parnaby as Tarsna Fern and Tarsna Gem both scored in their respective contests.

The first to seal victory was Tarsna Gem in race five as she made every inch to land her A5/A6 contest. A 2/1 market chance, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Tarsna Rose meant business from the outset with a slick exit from trap three to lead comfortably. Posting a red-hot 2.79 sectional, ‘Gem’ built a healthy lead down the back straight as a result and although the pack closed quickly in the closing stages, the damage was done early as Tarsna Gem raced to a two length victory over Rockhouse Cilla in second. The time was 29.32.

The double was completed two races later as Tarsna Fern posted the fastest time of the night in her A1 525. The 5/4 favourite, Parnaby’s brindle was also on-song at traprise as she belted from her inside berth in one to lead Autumn Tom into the opener. A thrilling contest ensued down the back as the duo went neck and neck, however, ‘Fern’ was as game as a pheasant to pull clear in the closing stages and win by two lengths. A sixth career victory for this daughter of Skywalker Logan and Tarsna Atlantic, the time was a swift 28.72.