LITTLE TO SEPARATE SEMI FINAL WINNERS OF O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS CASHEL TRI-DISTANCE

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance were the highlight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and the stage is now set for a wide-open decider, with just two spots separating the semi-final winners.

Of the two semis, it was Rockstar Willie that went marginally quickest as the John Bryne-trained tracker went one better than his second place finish one week earlier. Owned by the Maher-Family-Syndicate, the 6/4 favourite was well away from his trap two berth, however, was forced to play second fiddle early on to Barefoot Roscoe, who showed the better of the early speed in six. Holding a two length lead down the back, ‘Roscoe’ continued to hold all the aces but Rockstar Willie wasn’t going away in second and made another thwarted challenge at the penultimate bend. It was just a matter of time, however. With the winning line looming large, Rockstar Willie powered around the outside of Ballymac Roscoe to just chin his rival on the line, by a neck. A thrilling conclusion to the opening semi, the time was 31.44 with Tiermana Hunter also claiming his finals position just one and a half lengths further back in third.

BRONCO BIDES HIS TIME

The second semi offered no shortage of drama either, with several fancied contenders in action.

Tree Top Bear, a scintillating second-round winner, was sent off 4/5 favourite and despite a sluggish start from trap two, he soon swept to the front at the opening bend. Briefly challenged by Skippy Fantasy, the market leader regained command halfway, but the pack remained tightly bunched. Always within striking distance, Beaming Bronco delivered the telling blow. The strong-staying son of Doolin Duke and Beaming Scarlett, owned by Corona Ryan, swept past the tiring Tree Top Bear late on to score by a length and a half in 31.46. Skippy Fantasy stayed on well to claim the third and final qualifying berth. With both heats decided in near-identical times, the final promises to be fiercely competitive, and on this evidence, there is little to separate the leading contenders.