EMPHATIC DANCER DOMINATES AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

With the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial 525 set to dominate proceedings at Limerick in the week’s ahead, there were further clues on offer at the Dock Road circuit last night ahead of the live draw tomorrow afternoon.

There were several top-class displays throughout the card but none more so than Hackney Dancer, who produced a sensational effort for Michael O’Donovan and The-Hackney-Boys-Syndicate. With the April puppy lining out for just the fourth time in his career, he warmed up nicely for a tilt at the Kirby with a runaway victory, stopping the clock in a sizzling 28.27 .10f.

Running in an A1 contest, Hackney Dancer was a 2/1 chance at the outset an that price looked huge at traprise, with the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Miss Mini Moll showing the superior early speed to turn in front from trap four. In doing so, the gap lengthened down the back as the April whelp proved a class above his rivals. Motoring into the bottom two bends, ‘Dancer’ held a commanding lead and he stayed on expertly to cross the line nine lengths clear of his nearest rival, Down Tothe Wire, in second. While finishing a long way back in second, the latter also caught the eye after a tardy start.

MATTHEWS DUO WARM UP NICELY

The Matthews family are synonymous with the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial and they appear to hold a strong hand ahead of this year’s renewal, landing a notable double on the night.

The first of Brendan Matthews’ runners to score was Side Deal. The talented youngster had already advertised his ability when winning on just his second start at Dundalk Stadium in a sparkling 21.21, highlighting his natural pace from an early stage. Although his campaign since has been somewhat stop-start, he looks to be coming to the boil nicely ahead of the Kirby next weekend. Drawn in trap four on the night, the son of Grangeview Ten and Blossoms Pet, owned by the Fangio Racing Syndicate, was slowly into stride but soon displayed electric early pace to slot in behind Gulleen Ina in the opening exchanges. The Northern runner asserted approaching the second bend and, once striking the front, it was one-way traffic thereafter for the even-money favourite. Side Deal eventually secured a two-and-a-half-length success over Tyrap Malachi, stopping the clock in 28.72, a time that could well be improved upon in the weeks ahead.

The double was completed in race eight, an A2 contest, as Shudacudawouda (5/4) produced a particularly eye-catching performance from off the pace at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

Another who showed plenty of ability early in his career, winning on debut in a smart 28.53 around Shelbourne Park, Shudacudawouda is very much on the comeback trail. However, he looked in excellent form based on this latest display. Wearing the black jacket, the son of Drumantine and Pennys Lauren was slow away and trailed the field rounding the opening bend. Showing a strong turn of pace to move into third down the back straight, Shudacudawouda then hit top gear around the bottom two bends to strike the front for the first time in the contest. Powering up the Limerick hill thereafter, Brendan Matthews’ charge pulled clear to score by three and a half lengths, stopping the clock in 28.78.

DROMBEG A FLASH WINNER

Another impressive winner on the card was Evan McAuliffe’s Drombeg Flash, who scored in facile fashion in an A4 contest at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

The fact that this youngster made his racing debut in the Juvenile Classic offered a clear indication of the regard in which he is held by connections, and the 2/1 chance justified that confidence with a convincing performance. Drawn in trap two, the son of Grangeview Ten and Millbank Marcela, still only a July pup, was slow from traps but quickly asserted, slipping up the inside of Hawk So Black at the opening bend. In doing so, Drombeg Flash quickly built a commanding advantage and from that point the result was never in doubt, the youngster stretching clear to cross the line seven lengths in front in a brisk 28.49 - another likely entry in the upcoming Con and Annie Kirby.