EXCITING YOUNGSTERS ON SHOW IN THE HAPPY RETIREMENT TO BERTIE LUPTON UNRACED
Barry Drake
On a beautiful Wednesday evening at the lovely Youghal Greyhound Stadium, a big crowd turned out to enjoy a 10-race card on the night.
It was a very special night of racing as the Youghal Track Supporters Club and management at the track made a very special presentation to Bertie Lupton, a man who put tremendous work into Youghal Greyhound Stadium over the last couple of decades.
A friend to all, Bertie has given all his life to greyhound racing, and still, he is so passionate about racing in Youghal and, of course, our great sport.
The man on the Youghal reports for the Sporting Press for a couple of decades and a huge part of everything at the track for the same length of time, although he will take a step back from his duties, there is no doubt that he will be still a regular at his much loved seaside venue and one things for sure, he will be keeping a close eye on everything.
The Youghal Track Supporters Club and Management make a special presentation to Bertie Lupton.
Happy retirement, Bertie, and thanks for everything.
ON THE TRACK:
Lyreen Pearl went quickest on the clock when landing the closing race, an A4-A5, for David Budd. Normally a slow starter, when the 6-4 joint favourite slipped around in front, it was clear she would go very close. A powerful finisher, the impressive winner displayed top-class finishing sectionals to storm to a wide margin success, in 29.12.
Trainer Adam Dunford is often the man to follow around Youghal, and he took the seventh, an A5, with Drop The Bottle as the 4-6 favourite scored for owner Thomas Condon. It was over as a contest early, all one-way traffic up front, the December puppy displayed big pace throughout, winning easily, in 29.17.
The race of the night came in the seventh, the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stake. Witches Bronte, for the Liam Twomey kennels, put on a brave front running display to hold all challengers. The 5-1 outsider kept finding up front, showing real pace and power to beat Kerryroad May, by a neck, in 29.18.
The Happy Retirement to Bertie Lupton ON2/ON3 Stake is certain to produce a couple of nice sorts going forward.
In the opener, there was a lot to like about the winning run of Dower Mack (Orchestrate-Slaneyside Suzy), who scored for Tadgh O'Loughlin. It looked like a decent contest on paper, and the 2-1 shot displayed pace throughout with the January puppy pulling out all the stops late on. A 29.42 winning performance, a length clear of Coolacamper Jim.
Deelish Oscar (Grangeview Ten-Aghaburren Blitz) delivered a fine front-running winning display to win the second for Laura Lynch. A 2-1 shot, the December puppy was in front early, and he stayed on well to record a 29.62 winning run.
Roaming Pilot (Ballyhimikin Jet-Roaming Shari) is a seriously well-bred youngster, and although he was the slowest of the three winners, there is no doubt he will go much quicker in the coming weeks. The 1-2 favourite found plenty of trouble throughout, however, that didn't stop him as he flew late on, winning in 30.11, a short head clear of Watch Out Hoffa.
FINALLY: A special word of thanks goes to Liam and Ally O'Keefee who sponsored and put on a fantastic free barbecue Top class and check them out at https://www.
Below: Ian Magnier (Track Manager), Bertie Lupton, alongside previous Managers of Youghal Track, Brian Collins, Johnny McGrath and Finbarr Coleman.
