BIG PERFORMANCES ON DISPLAY AT THURLES PARK

Peter Farrell

Thurles Greyhound Stadium hosted a ten race card on Saturday night and there was no shortage of top-class performance over both two and four bends.

The first tracker to post an impressive clock was Cabra Keiser as he justified his 2/1 favouritism. Owned by Paddy Scally, the son of Cabra Firmino and Cabra Blitz was a good second last time out, however, went one better as he recovered from a tardy start in one to show incredible early gears to lead. In doing so, Scally’s charge tracked expertly around the bottom bends as he maintained a scorching gallop to cross the line one length clear of the running-on Borna Rooster in second. The time was a rapid 17.54.

In race four, Excess Cash (2/1) claimed his first victory since being purchased at a recent sale at Kilkenny. Owned by James Kirwan, ‘Cash’ blasted from trap five to immediately manufacture a healthy lead and he had some ten lengths in hand midway down the back straight. The son of Jacob Tashadelek continued to step on the gas around the bottom two bends and he proved eleven lengths too strong for Oakvale Robin in second as the clock returned an impressive 29.06 .20s.

Stephens Blaze continued the favourites trend as he landed race five for John Quinlan and Jack Treacy. A smart speedster, the son of Clona Blaze and Lemon Steff stepped out lively from trap one and he showed fine early dash to lead Whistling Rebel. In doing so, the 6/4 jolly maintained a smart gallop to come home two lengths clear of his rival in 17.91.

Over the extended trip, Whizzing Annie (Broadstrand Bono - Whizzing Katie) posted a fine victory for Adam Hogg. Just an October puppy, ‘Annie’ was seeking a first career win and she raced prominently early on despite being headed by the improving Carneys Goldmine. The latter opened a healthy lead down the back and he looked home and hosed as he held a strong lead rounding the bottom bend. However, Whizzing Annie was also motoring well in behind and she wore down the leader in the closing yards to seal a half length victory. The time for the 5/2 chance was a slick 31.46 .20s.

Switching back to the standard trip and the fastest of the night was Sundance Shirley (Black Parachute - Darynoor Shine)as the even money favourite sealed a brilliant ninth victory. Donning the white jacket, ‘Shirley’ pinged out to record a 1.70 split and in doing so, she quickly asserted from Quality Jack in second. The latter closed the gap down the back and looked a real threat, however, Sundance Shirley, owned by the Feelgood-Racing-Synd, pulled clear in the closing stages to see off Borna Pam by three lengths. The time was a blistering 28.98 .20s.

The last of the really smart victories came in the penultimate race of the night as Frainey Megalite made it three career wins for Jenny McCormack. A son of Ballymac Best and Poolie Shauna was outpaced on the run to the opener by Yahoo Bolger, however, used his wide berth in six to sweep the opening bend and take a comfortable lead. Now with clear daylight, ‘Megalite’ powered his way to the winning line as he crossed the line six clear of Yahoo Bolger in second. The time was 17.82.