SUSIE SETS THE SECOND ROUND KENNEDY CUP STANDARD

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Gammell Kennedy Cup served as the highlight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Ashmore Susie bounced back from her opening round defeat to go quickest for John Boyle and Paul Hennessy.

Bred in the purple, Ashmore Susie (5/2) was a little underwhelming in the opening round as she could manage only fourth in behind Azeman, however, she produced the best possible response in the concluding second round heat as she pinged out to make-all. Running from trap three, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire was on the receiving end of a poor start last time out but was reminiscent of her famous dam with a much more fluent start on this occasion to post a 1.29 sectional. In doing so, she showed a fine turn of pace to turn with a five length advantage and in truth, her rivals had no answer to her relentless gallop out in front. Drawing clear to win by an impressive four and a half lengths, Fast Fit Pennie was next in line as she claimed second, while Rattlesnake Bono claimed third. The time was a brilliant 28.42 on a track rated .20 fast.

In the opening heat, Blaze More Fire sprung an upset as the Kim Bennis and Tony Brigdale runner scored at odds of 4/1. A noted fast-finisher last time out, the daughter of Ballymac Eske and Blaze Bee was another who was on the ball at traprise as she boxed expertly from two to lead Drombeg Max into the opener. Setting a scorching gallop down the back, Blaze More Fire was never under any serious pressure and she ran to a virtual solo thereafter to cross the line three lengths clear of Drombeg Max in second. Azeman, who was sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite, was a further two lengths back in third. The time was a rapid 28.55 .20f.

Heat two was landed by Zari Socks (5/2) as he went one better than his second place finish in the opening round. A debut winner around Limerick in a blistering 28.71, the March 23’ puppy had no answer to Azeman in the opening round, however, Noel Ahern’s runner obviously took plenty from that outing as he trapped lively from a plumb draw in red to lead. Thereafter, Hearthill Rafa kept the leader honest as he challenged at several points of the contest, however, it quickly became a formality around the bottom two bends for the determined Zari Socks. Showing a brilliant turn of stamina at this point, the talented son of Tullig Cyrname and Zari Frankie drew clear in the closing stages before running out a convincing, four length winner over Rosshill News in second. Hearthill Rafa ran a fine race but faded a further head back in third. The time was 28.62 .20f.

IN OTHER RACES

Race three was the Roma Casino A3 525 and this was landed in emphatic fashion by Foxwood Carter for owner Denis McGrath. Fresh from a head victory last time out, this was a much more convincing performance from the August son of Bockos Jon Joe as he took charge of the early exchanges. A faster break from trap five saw the 5/2 shot show the supreme early dash and he drew clear of his rivals into the back before staying on stoutly to score by a comprehensive eight lengths. The time was a blistering 28.39 .20f.

Race seven saw Highview Ben make it three career victories for Paraic Campion and the VHR Syndicate. Installed as the even money favourite, ‘Ben’ flew from trap one and this allowed the son of Pat C Sabbath to open a four length lead over Avon Blaze heading into the back. Setting a smart gallop thereafter, the petrol gauge was flickering the closing yards as Avon Blaze bridged the gap, however, it was too little too late for the latter as Highview Ben crossed the line with one length to spare. The time was 28.36 .20f.

Myles Cummins is no stranger to winning races around Limerick and he saw Snuggie Bobby bring up the half-dozen in the penultimate race as he produced a career best performance. Sent to traps as a 4/1 chance, ‘Bobby’ was briefly headed in the opening yards but the inside line proved crucial for the red jacketed runner as he slipped up the inside to lead comfortably. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slaneyside Goldi went about his business in brilliant style as he crossed the line three and a half lengths clear of the staying-on Carrigmore Freya in second. The time was 28.34 .20f.