HAZEL REALLY DOES LOOK A FUTURE CHAMPION

Ian Fortune

There was quite a start to the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday night.

So many of those on show seem certain to go onto have a good career but a few really stood out including Burgess Hazel, who posted a rapid 28.71 to set the standard.

EXCITING HAZEL GOES FAST

Burgess Hazel was absolutely electric in the second heat, winning by a wide margin for her lucky owner JJ Fennelly.

The daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Droopy Dargle had moved well in qualifying so it was no shock to see her emerge on top but few could have expected her to go quite as fast.

Breaking smartly from three, she edged to the fence to lead into the turn. Caitlins Flyer was right on her tail off the second turn but that was as close as any greyhound would get to Burgess Hazel. Moving through the gears down the back straight, the May ’23 whelp would ease right away to eventually win by a dozen lengths from Ballinabola Levi in a stunning 28.71. Caitlins Flyer was just a neck away in third.

LOLZ FOR AMZ BACKERS

Next fastest was Lolz Amz as she too broke the 29 second barrier, winning in very similar fashion to Burgess Hazel.

She too broke smartly to lead into the turn. Ciaras Treasure was pressing hard as they entered the back straight but Lolz Ama was to prove far too strong. 

Representing Laura Earle and Pat Whelan, the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet and Luna Babylon began to ease on at halfway before really kicking into gear off the final turn. She would go on to put ten lengths between herself and Ciaras Treasure as she stopped the clock in 28.93. Rebel Ash was a length adrift in third.

JET LOOKS A FLIER

Happy Jet, owned by Tom Quinn and Ned Morrissey, took Heat 4 in good style.

The son of Run Happy and Bobsleigh Jet had a great tussle with Priceless Romeo for much of the way before forging on from the third turn.

Priceless Romeo actually led into the opening turn but Happy jet stayed tight to the fence to move to the front at this point. The verdict remained in the balance for much of the way but, ultimately, the Pat Buckley trained Happy Jet would stay on well to see off his rival by a length and a half in 28.98. Gymstar Pi Ella was nine lengths away in third.

PI SETS THE TONE

Across the round early speed was very often the key ingredient to success and Gymstar Pi set the tone in the opening heat, getting loose into the opening bend to run out a good winner.

Monbeg Molly did close on the leader from the third turn but Tommy O’Mahoney’s Gymstar Pi was not for catching. The well-bred son of Born Warrior and Dolls Flash would hold on by three parts of a length in 29.16.

CLIFFORD LOOKS A PROSPECT

Altesse Clifford looked a nice type when winning Heat 5 for Jack Finn.

A son of Ballymac Bolger and Tip Top Ariel, he gave his rivals a start but paced up well to move second on the turn before taking over as they entered the back straight.

Once going to the front, the August ’23 whelp powered clear to beat Snazzy Honey by eleven lengths in 29.22. Lisnakill Denzel was just a short head back in third.

GOLD STRIKES IN FINAL HEAT

Boylesports Gold made a belated but successful debut in the final heat for Paul Hennessy and John Boyle.

The September ’22 whelp had shown plenty of ability in qualifying and he would eventually run out a commanding winner, although he did have to work his way to the front.

Despite a moderate start, he moved into third before the corner. Staying close to the fence, he flew to take up the running at halfway before driving clear to win by an ever-widening eight lengths in 29.16. Unattached was second with Lady Babylon another half length back in third.