ROSCOE RULES IN O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS CASHEL TRI-DISTANCE FINAL AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

While the spotlight was fixed on the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby final at Shelbourne Park, there was still no shortage of excitement elsewhere, with Limerick Greyhound Stadium staging the concluding act of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance.

This event, kindly sponsored in partnership with the I.R.G.T, has always attracted a fiercely competitive field, and the 2025 renewal was no different. The quality was clear from the final line-up, which featured no fewer than four previous heat winners, each with claims of victory. In the end, however, the €3,000 first prize went the way of Barefoot Roscoe, who left no room for doubt as he signalled his intentions right from traprise.

ROSCOE LEADS EARLY

Prior to the off, Tiermana Hunter was sent off the 7/4 favourite and he broke well from his inside berth in one, only to be joined quickly by Barefoot Roscoe from the wide box in six. The seasoned son of Priceless Jet and Priceless Verona showed his experience as he surged into the opening bend, smartly cutting across his rivals to establish a clear advantage. Behind, Tree Top Bear displayed his customary early dash to move into third but trouble developed in behind, with fancied duo Beaming Bronco and Rockstar Willie both coming off worst.

BACK-STRAIGHT BUCKLE

Owned by the Winner-R-Grinners-Syndicate, Barefoot Roscoe (3/1) took command entering the back straight and quickly opened a lead of a length and a half over Tiermana Hunter, with Tree Top Bear beginning to loom large in third. At this stage, the chasing pair looked poised to strike as they closed the deficit to less than a length, but the penultimate bend arrived just in time for ‘Roscoe’, who once more asserted his authority and swept clear of his main rivals.

DETERMINED ROSCOE SEALS THE DEAL

As the field rounded the final corner, a slight coming together between Tiermana Hunter and Tree Top Bear allowed Barefoot Roscoe to re-establish a healthy cushion, and he drove on with real determination to capture this valuable prize for his delighted connections. Tree Top Bear stuck gamely to his task and produced a big performance to finish just two lengths adrift in second, while the gallant Tiermana Hunter completed the podium in third. The clock returned a smart 32.79 for the 600-yard trip, sealing a memorable success in what had been a fiercely competitive renewal of the event. Many congratulations go to the Winner-R-Grinners-Syndicate, and thanks are once again extended to the generous sponsors, O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel.

TROMORA BOOM IGNITES HOGAN DOUBLE

Earlier on the card, the David Hogan kennel enjoyed a fine double as Tromora Boom and Tromora Mick both landed their novice contests.

The first strike came courtesy of Tromora Boom, who made the most of his red jacket berth as he railed tightly early on to establish command. A son of Ballymac Cashout – Coolavanny Palm, Boom was relentless once in front and opened up an unassailable eight-length advantage by the halfway stage. Though Kilcolgan Eddie finished strongly to reduce the deficit to four and a half lengths, the damage had long since been done. Stopping the clock in a smart 28.73, Tromora Boom (9/4) set the tone for what proved a memorable night for the Hogan team. The double was secured in the very next race thanks to Tromora Mick, another son of Ballymac Cashout, who showcased a different style of success. Sent off at 3/1, he found himself with plenty to do as Coolowen Atom set a searching gallop up front. However, ‘Mick’ displayed fine back-straight pace to sweep to the front at the three-quarter mark before staying on stoutly to repel Glideaway Ruby by a length in 29.13.

SIMILAR FEAT FOR CUMMINS AND CASEY

It wasn’t just the Hogan team celebrating on the night, as the kennels of Breda Casey and Myles Cummins also recorded a fine double.

Their first success came in race six with Snuggie Battie, who produced a strong and determined display to justify his 9/4 starting price. Breaking smartly from trap one, the son of Jacob Tashadelek – Miles Girl was unable to match the early dash of Quality Jack, but he always looked a looming danger as he closed the gap approaching the bottom two bends. From there, Battie’s strong running proved decisive as he swept past the long-time leader before driving to the line, crossing one and a half lengths clear of Scattery Beauty in second. The time was a sharp 28.76.

The double was sealed in race eight as Snuggie Benny held on gamely to score for an eleventh time for connections. 7/2 at the off, ‘Benny’ also donned the red jacket and he flew from traps to post a rapid 1.26 early sectional. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Slaneyside Goldi set sail for home and although he came under serious pressure from the luckless Carrigmore Micah, he kept just enough in reserve to cross the line with a neck to spare. The time was 29.16.

VELVET CAPS OFF NIGHT IN STYLE

Another fantastic evening was capped off in real style in the concluding race as Mike Buckley’s Velvet Ring bounced back to winning ways impressively.

A greyhound with a big future, the February puppy was installed as the 5/4 favourite and he outlined his intentions early doors with a swift exit from trap three. In doing so, ‘Velvet’ took a lead of a couple of lengths into the back from Hand Crafted, who was to prove a worthy rival, in second. Although the latter kept the leader honest up until the three-quarter mark, Buckley’s charge was to kick on and showed excellent stamina in the closing stages. A choicely bred son of Glengar Bale - Velvet Spring, the jolly stayed on strongly as the winning line loomed large and he crossed with three lengths to spare over Hand Crafted in second. The time was a blistering 28.45, which was the fastest of the night by some way.