BUCKO BLITZES RIVALS AT LIMERICK, GAWN LANDS UNRACED

Peter Farrell

There was some quality racing on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and the standout performance came from Hazelhill Bucko as he obliterated his rivals in his AAO/AO 550-yard contest.

Trained by Lucy Roche for Michael O’Connell, Hazelhill Bucko is of course the 2024 Bar One Irish Laurels runner-up so it was surprising to see this tracker installed at generous odds of 3/1 in a contest that he very much stood out as the class animal in the field. Donning his favoured striped jacket, ‘Bucko’ made his intentions clear from trap-rise as he bolted from his wide berth and he displayed his customary early speed to open a three length advantage rounding the opening bend. That lead soon doubled down the back as the son of Dromana Bucko and Flat White built up ahead of steam and in truth, this was a straightforward assignment thereafter as ‘Bucko’ stayed on stoutly to record a comfortable, six length victory. In behind it was Boss Go that finished best of all to claim second and the time was a rapid 29.46 .10f, a brilliant display from Roche’s charge.

GAWN GIRL LANDS UNRACED

Race two saw the final of the Limerick Stadium ON3 525 take centre stage and this was landed, as expected, by the 4/5 favourite Gawn Girl. Jointly owned by Martin Gleeson and Corona Ryan, this lady was a runaway winner of her semi final assignment and although she was made to work harder on this occasion, she duly came home strongly to claim the €1,200 first prize. A daughter of Doolin Duke and Beaming Scarlet, ‘Girl’ nestled into a good position early on in one and she hit the front on the approach to the penultimate bend. In doing so, she quickly asserted and stayed on in brilliant style to record a three and a half length victory over Blastoff Nya in second. The time was 29.04 .10f.

IN OTHER RACES

In the curtain raiser, there was a lovely performance from the Abigail Morrissey-owned Abigails King. Just an April puppy, the 6/4 jolly was chasing a maiden win and he held his position well at the opening bend after a moderate start from three. In doing so, the son of King Elvis ran the superior second bend and he duly drew clear thereafter to score in style. Staying on stoutly to record a five length victory over Groovy De Niro, the time was a quick 28.66 .10f.

The semi finals of the Wheeler Auctioneers A2 525 also featured on the card and of the two semis, Gulleen Ina set the standard for owner Thomas Gilbourne. Hoping to bring up her half-dozen, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Gulleen Queen was without a win since July but she broke in front this time around and that ultimately sealed the deal. Holding a slender lead throughout, ‘Ina’ proved a tough nut to crack in front and she gamely held on in the closing yards to see off Levis Dancer in second. Just a half-length separating the pair, the time was 28.50 .10f.

In the second semi, Ballyea Buck made-all to bring up a hat-trick of wins and indeed, his fifth victory in total. Trained by Declan McDonagh for Noel Gavin, ‘Buck’ went to traps as a 2/1 chance and he pinged the lids from four to take his rivals into the opening bend. In doing so, the son of Burgess Bucks and Coolavanny Spice stuck to his task well as he saw off the determined finish of Lahort Lady, by one length, in 28.64 .10f.