TRIBAL SYD LAYS DOWN A SERIOUS MARKER IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE IRISH LAURELS

TRIBAL SYD LAYS DOWN A SERIOUS MARKER IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE IRISH LAURELS

Barry Drake

Leading fancy for outright glory, the Murt Leahy-trained TRIBAL SYD went quickest on the clock when putting on another sensational performance in the opening round of the Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

(Pic right: Darren Hogan, Martin Costigan (Owner) and Paraic Collins with Tribal Syd.)

In the ownership of Martin Costigan, the 1-2 favourite made short work of his opposition after he delivered a flying start and sailed around the opening corners in total control. Pulling clear, the impressive winner galloped strongly to the line, posting 28.01 and laying down as a serious marker. In superb form in recent months, Tribal Syd came home with seven lengths to spare over his kennel mate Lemon Mick.

DERBY CHAMPION IN TOP GEAR

Last year's Irish Greyhound Derby Champion, The Other Kobe bounced back to his brilliant best when overcoming the wide draw to win heat five for trainer Graham Holland and owners B Clare and David L'estrange. Just making the corner in front, the even-money favourite took off down the back straight, displaying massive gears, he then came home with eight and a half lengths to spare over Bambis Lady, in 28.02.

BUCKLEY ON THE DOUBLE

Trainer Pat Buckley enjoyed a lovely double on the night. Ower Cracker was the first to oblige as the well-backed even money favourite recovered from trouble at the opening corner to land the spoils, in 28.55. Owned by June and Tony Harvey, the strong running winner got the better of the fast-finishing Barefoot On Fire, by two lengths, in 28.55.

Four heats later, in heat eight, Road Exile ran out a fantastic winner for team Buckley. Owned by R A Colwell, the even-money favourite flew down the outside of the track and he was in the driving seat early on. Pulling away on the back straight, the ultra-consistent tracker came home four lengths clear of Droopys Polish, in 28.26.

LOCAL SUCCESS

Local trainer Johnny Linehan was on target in the ninth, and Droopys Bookem made it three wins from as many starts. Owned by the All Angels Syndicate, the 4-1 shot ran down the front running Scarborough Fair in the last stride, winning by a head, in 28.62.

WELL DRAWN

In the tenth, the well-drawn Crafty Alejandro scored for Shane Divilly. The September youngster was always in the mix up front and he stuck to his task well to beat Droopys Supply, by a length, in 28.44, at odds of even money.

BACK ON IRISH SOIL

Crafty Shivoo returned to Irish soil with a classy display in heat number three. The 4-7 favourite displayed plenty of early speed and she was soon in total control. Trained by Pat Norris for the M-W-D Partnership, the outcome was never in any doubt as she came home seven lengths clear of Getup Me Lad, in 28.36.

MCKENNA ON THE DOUBLE

Called in from the reserves, Grangeclare Lady completed the Owen McKenna double with an impressive winning performance in heat number 11. The 5-2 shot was front at the opening turns and she pulled away to beat Joes Wink, by six and a half lengths, in 28.42.

McKenna had earlier scored with Evolution as the 6-4 joint favourite led early, showing plenty of speed up front, he went on to win, in 28.20, three lengths clear of Hazelhill Bucko, in 28.20, winning for the Whos-That-Guy Syndicate.

MORE LOCAL SUCCESS FOR YOUNG HANDLER

In the closing heat, Strike It Pete caused a 12-1 upset when delivering a fine performance to win for the local kennel of Ryan McCarthy. Flashing from the boxes to win the early lead, the powerful performer was in control up front and he stayed on strongly to beat Romeo Falco, by four lengths, in 28.52.

20-1 UPSET

 

The biggest price winner of the night came in heat number six, Trionas Tribe winning at odds of 20-1 for the Wren-Skull-Walman-Syndicate. It was a fantastic effort to land the spoils, winning the early lead and holding on well in the closing stages. It was a 28.50 winning display with plenty of top-class rivals in behind. Romeo Taylor was second best, two and a half lengths back.

YOUNG EVAN ON THE SCORESHEET

In heat number seven, Drombeg Bear gave young hander Evan Mcauliffe a great winner on the night. The 7-2 shot set strong early sectionals along the inside of the track and he held Peroni Eoiny, by two lengths, in 28.60.