SWEEPSTAKE ACTION SERVES UP A TREAT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Limerick Greyhound Stadium played host to some high level sweepstake action on Saturday night as the semi finals of several stakes went down for decision.

Indeed, it didn’t take long for the touchpaper to catch fire as in the curtain raiser, Daleroad Poppy once again ran riot in the opening semi of the Michael Pascal O’Ryan Memorial A4 Bitch 525. A winner in 28.31 .10f in the opening round, the Patrick Guilfoyle-trained puppy was understandably installed as the 4/6 favourite as a result and she made no mistakes for her joint owners, Thomas and John O’Keefe. Running from trap one, the choicely bred daughter of Good News and Good Poppy broke well, however, moved right in the early exchanges which allowed Hazelhill Boom to hold all the aces out wide. His lead was short-lived however, as Daleroad Poppy quickly got back on terms rounding the opener and the progressive May whelp quickly opened a three length lead down the back. From here, it proved a formality for Guilfoyle’s charge as she upped the ante around the bottom two bends before extending her advantage to seven lengths crossing the line. Bright Morgan and Fantasy Penny claiming the minor placings, the time was a rapid 28.55.

In the second semi final, Rallying Dove also made it back-to-back wins for Dan Flynn and Michael O’Meara.

A winner in 28.94 .10f one week prior, Rallying Dove went to traps as a 2/1 chance and she duly took a flyer from trap two to lead comfortably into the opener. Creating daylight around the second bend, the strapping daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Rallying Saidso powered into the back and she had plenty in hand over the chasing duo of Rivendell Lady and Senahel Beauty. Maintaining a strong gallop, ‘Dove’ was never under pressure as she stayed on stoutly thereafter to cross the line four and a half lengths clear of Senahel Beauty in second, with Peakys Glory finishing like a train to claim third. The time was 28.83.

SOCKS BLOWS RIVALS AWAY

Next up were the semi finals of the Ned & Babs Quinn Memorial A2 525 and the Tally Ho Socks set the standard in the opener with a blistering display for the Walls-Of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate.

Tally Ho Socks (Ballymac Cashout - Tallyho Hope)was forced to settle for second in behind Right Mag last time out, however, clearly took plenty from that defeat as the January puppy showed plenty of courage and ability to score for a second time in his career. Moderately into stride from two, ‘Socks’ outgunned his inside rivals in the early exchanges to dispute with Hazelhill Percy rounding the opener. The 5/2 quickly asserted entering the back and from here, he proved too hot to handle for his challengers as he raced to a facile, four length victory over Starson Katie, who also caught the eye, in second. The final qualifier was Hazelhill Percy as the clock returned a brisk 28.66.

The second semi final went the way of Gwan My Boy as he sprang a 4/1 surprise for Pat, Theresa and Caoimhe O’Connell.

A close third in behind Onthe Run Ollie in round one, Gwan My Boy didn’t break too fluently from trap one on this occasion, however, showed fine early speed before barging his way through to hold second. Cherrygrove Four was in control by just over one length at this point, however, ‘Gwan’ quickly loomed large to go neck and neck entering the penultimate bend. Storming to the front between the bottom two turns, the son of Explosive Boy and Hazelfield Echo stayed on stoutly thereafter to claim a one and a half length success over Cherrygrove Four, while Roundies Shadow was a further two lengths adrift in third. The time was 28.91.

CAMPION HAS TIGHT GRIP ON MINI-OPEN

The three semi finals of the Limerick & Clare GOBA Mini-Open were next on the agenda and Paraic Campion has a strong hand in this stake going forward as he accounted for a double in the heats with his ‘Highview’ trackers.

The first to score was Highview Bizarr (3/1) in the opening heat as she arrived late to bring up her half-dozen. Owned by the VHR Syndicate, ‘Bizarr’ was prominent early, however, was headed by both Fast Paws and Charlie And Ben on the run-up. Turning a close third entering the back, the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Jayne picked her spots well thereafter, showing incredible track craft, to come home with a wet sail to win by three parts of a length from Fast Paws in second. The time was 28.69.

In heat two, Highview Ben got back to winning ways for the same connections as he overcame a tardy start to win in style. Running from one, the 2/1 chance was headed by Canya Steve and Portdrine Magic, however, flew past his rivals at the midway point to hold all the aces approaching the penultimate turn. From here, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Ivy stayed out with real intent to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Ballygibba Sam in second. The time was 28.58.

The remaining heat was landed by Boss Go as Conor Curtin’s charge got back to winning ways for the first time since June of this year. 2/1 at the off, ‘Boss’ was only moderately into stride from one and sat some five lengths adrift entering the back with plenty on his plate in order to prevail. However, the pack tightened at the penultimate bend and this allowed Boss Go to get back on terms and he didn’t need a second invitation to power through his rivals and take control. Showing terrific stamina prowess thereafter, the son of Skywalker Rafa - Brickfield Roxy crossed the line five lengths clear of Syds Button, in a time of 28.74.

PENNIE IS PERFECT

The last of the stakes on offer were the two semi finals of Greyhound & Petworld A2 550 and Fast Fit Pennie set the standard as she comfortably dipped under the 30-second barrier.

Owned by John Quinn, Fast Fit Pennie was a brilliant winner in 29.75 last time out, however, given the track rating, she was eligible to take her chance in this A2 contest. In truth, she proved much too strong for her rivals on this occasion as the 7/4 shot popped out in front to lead from trap one. In doing so, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Fast Fit Maeve opened a three length lead down the back before pressing home her advantage over Connie Kaboom to five length at the winning line. The time was a swift 29.80.

The opening semi finals saw Creative Ozzy record a fourth career victory for the Here-We-Go-Again-Three Syndicate. Trained by Graham Rotheram, ‘Ozzy’ went to boxes as a 2/1 chance and he overcame a poor start from red to show a nice turn of early speed to lead. In doing so, he quickly opened a three length advantage over his rivals and stayed on stoutly to extend his advantage to six lengths crossing the line. Toems Lee in second, the time was 30.10.