IROKO AND EDWARD GO QUICK AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of both the Ballymac Kennels AO 525 and the Droopys Stud A2 525 dominated proceedings at Limerick Stadium on Saturday night, and the standout performer was Ballymac Iroko, who produced a career-best display.

Running in the second semi-final of the Ballymac Kennels AO, Ballymac Iroko had been an eyecatcher last time out when coming from off the pace to clock 28.72. On that occasion, Liam Dowling’s charge went into many notebooks as a greyhound likely to improve significantly, and he duly delivered with a polished display. A May son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Sahara, ‘Iroko’ was sharper into stride this time from trap four but still had to settle for second early on. Tiermana Hunter set the early fractions from trap two, opening a lead of just over a length entering the back straight, but the writing was on the wall as ‘Iroko’ loomed large at halfway. Sweeping the third bend, he took command and powered up the Limerick hill to put five lengths between himself and Tiermana Hunter. Flight Club took the final qualifying spot in a blistering 28.29. A sensational performance from one so young and clearly the one to beat in next week’s decider.

In the opening semi-final, the Paraic Campion-trained Highview Ben bounced back to winning ways to claim a remarkable thirteenth career success.

A brilliant servant for the V-H-R Syndicate, Highview Ben had his favoured red jacket and, although briefly headed by Crescent Emily, he quickly showcased his trademark early speed to charge up the rails. From there, the 9/4 chance established a two-length lead into the back straight, and the remainder was a formality. The son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Ivy crossed three lengths clear of the staying-on Crescent Emily, with Kevinsfort Spice finishing third in 28.51.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR BALLINVEALA

Earlier on the card, the Droopys Stud A2 525 semi-finals took centre stage, with Ballinveala Bolt again setting the standard with another impressive performance.

Trained by Daniel Brassil for Vincent Purtill, Ballinveala Bolt had taken his opening round in 28.51 and was strongly fancied to follow up. Drawn again in red, the son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller asserted early, nudging aside Glengar Blitz at the opener to seize a commanding lead. Although Glengar Blitz kept him honest, ‘Bolt’ was never in danger and stayed on strongly to score by four lengths, with Beaming Zen in third. His winning time, 28.51, matched last week’s clock.

In the opening semi, Snuggie Battie also made it back-to-back wins for Breda Casey.

A gritty winner in 29.10 last weekend, ‘Battie’ produced a career-best here. Breaking smartly from trap one, the son of Jacob Tashadelek and Miles Girl battled his way past Carrigmore Lizzy entering the back and later chopped off the improving Brief Display at the three-quarter mark. Track craft proved decisive as he held on by a length from Brief Display, with Carrigmore Lizzy third in 28.69.

PEPPERS BAR ACTION

The semi-finals of the Peppers Bar of Feakle A3 600 also featured, with Black Cash setting the pace as he narrowly denied Kazankina.

Jointly owned by Jeremiah and Damien Roche, Black Cash (2/1) was unable to match Kazankina early but sticking gamely to her task, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Rathcoole Vixen found more on the long run home to prevail by a head in 32.90.

In the second semi, Glengar Star secured a third career win for Pat and Emma Buckley. The well-bred daughter of Droopys Sydney and Singalong Sally sat close behind Limerick Lace early before switching wide down the back. This move proved decisive as she swept to the front at the three-quarter mark, staying on strongly to win by three lengths in 33.01.

ELECTRIC FROM EDWARD

Outside the sweepstakes, the performance of the night arguably came in the finale as Burgess Edward made light work of his A1 rivals.

A September whelp trained by Pat Buckley for the Hackney-Boys Syndicate, Burgess Edward was making just his fifth career start but showed no signs of inexperience as he romped home. Having posted sharp times at Youghal in his first two outings, the ability was evident, and from trap one the 3/1 chance broke well to sit second early. He quickly reeled in early leader Heathlawn Storm and surged clear, opening a four-length gap that only widened. Sweeping the bottom bends, Edward powered to a nine-and-a-half-length success in a superb 28.29, which was the joint fastest time of the night.