FOURTEEN NOT OUT FOR RECORD-BREAKING TUONO CHARLIE

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Dan Flynn, the 2024 Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 got off to an incredible start at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as Tuono Charlie cemented his status as the best six-bend tracker in the land with yet another record-breaking display.

Trained by Sharon Hunt for Paul Dyer, Tuono Charlie had amassed a thirteen race win streak prior to venturing to Limerick, which included a Classic winning performance in the Corn Cuchulainn, and a fine victory in the valuable MCP Group Open 750 at Tralee. Indeed, the son of Good News and Farronrory Bonny smashed the track record in that particular stake and he made it two track records in some four weeks with a sensational performance on Cambridgeshire opening night.

Installed as the 2/5 favourite in heat two, Tuono Charlie made the most of a fine draw in two as he blasted from boxes to take a commanding lead into the home straight for the first time. From here, Hunt’s charge set a scorching gallop to lead the improving Droopys Comrade and in doing so, he posted a scarcely believable 27.81 for the opening 525-yards of the contest. A fourteenth straight victory looked a mere formality at this point and he continued his relentless gallop to draw clear of Droopys Comrade and win by a brilliant nine and a half lengths. A truly memorable performance from a once in a lifetime marathon greyhound, the time was 40.73, which is a huge seven lengths inside the prior track-record held by Threesixfive. Tuono Charlie was very much the one to beat prior to the opening round, however, last night’s effort only confirmed that it will take a monumental effort going forward to prevent him extending his phenomenal record over the six-bend trip.

TEEJAY NEXT BEST

In the opening heat of the night, Ballyhooly Teejay bounced back to winning ways as he took charge in the closing yards for trainer Tom O’Neill.

Owned by the Ashgrove-Trio-Synd, Ballyhooly Teejay was out with the washing early on as he sat a good seven lengths adrift in fifth place. At this point, Kinturk Road, the 4/6 favourite, held a commanding lead out in front and the former Corn Cuchulainn winner looked certain to seal victory. However, once getting daylight passing the sprint boxes ‘Teejay’ began to really motor and the writing looked on the wall rounding the fifth and sixth bends. Now in overdrive, the son of Ballymac Anton and Cats Belle, a 4/1 chance, stormed past Kinturk Road in the closing yards to draw clear and win by two lengths. The time was a good 41.54.

LEELOO LEAVES IT LATE

The remaining first round heat was landed by Leeloo, who also left it very late for owner Nuala Lynch.

Sent to traps as the 6/4 jolly, Leeloo walked from trap six to trail the field into the opener as Coss Invincible set the pace out in front. Improving into third entering the home straight for the first time, Leeloo steered a wide course and this proved crucial in staying out of traffic on the approach to the fifth bend. Sombre, Boss Go and Leeloo were all showing eye-catching speed at this point, however, it was Lynch’s charge that was displaying the superior stamina as the winning line loomed large. Now in full throttle, the strapping brindle daughter of Droopys Sydney and Mydras Dawn powered across the line to seal a three length win over Boss Go in second. The time was 42.41.

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JACK QUICKEST IN O’CONNOR JULIANS VETS SECOND ROUND

Similar to last week, Thats It Jack went quickest as the 575-yard leg got underway in the second round of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri-Distance.

Liam Cahill and Tony Lucy’s charge set a blistering standard last weekend when posting 29.69 for the 550-yards and as such, he was installed as the 4/5 favourite to land the spoils in the concluding heat of the night. Quickest into stride wearing the red jacket, Thats It Jack soon asserted in the early yards as he paced up brilliantly to lead Jokers Corner into the bend. Thereafter, the son of Malachi and Clongeel Mills set a fantastic gallop, however, he was kept honest by Timmys Bucks, who improved into second and was running a superb race in behind the leader. Closing with every stride in the closing yards, Thats It Jack was forced to pull out all the stops as he crossed the line one length clear of the fast-finishing Timmys Bucks. The time was a rapid 30.98, which was just two spots outside of Riverside Mary’s track record.

In the opening heat, Canya Mags (9/2) secured a seventh career win for Imelda Sinclair and David Flanagan. Led in the early yards by Carrigmore Micah, a bump at the opener saw Canya Mags take charge and the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat didn’t need a second invitation as she set a scorching gallop to the final bend. Grouchos Scooby improved into second in the closing stages as he wound up a late surge, however, it was too little too late as far as landing the spoils as ‘Mags’ stayed on stoutly to win by two lengths crossing the line. The time was 31.18.

The big-priced winners kept on coming in heat two as Brackile Roxy took control in the closing stages to win at odds of 4/1. Owned by Denis Fraher, ‘Roxy’ looked to have plenty on her plate early on as she sat in midfield with Cossies Dream setting the pace up front. However, appreciating every inch of the 575-yard trip, the daughter of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze finished well to take charge late on and see off another fast-finisher in Kilcolgancatchme, by half a length. The time was 31.38.

The remaining heat saw Gortroe make every inch for Jerry Griffin, Con Enright and Norma Lenihan. 7/4 at the off, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Zari Class trapped nicely from four to lead her rivals into the opening bend. In doing so, Gortroe never saw another tail as she held Young Tiernan to one length crossing the line. The time was a brisk 31.19.