SYD BLOSSOMS ON DEBUT IN RURAL KENNELS OPENER

Peter Farrell

The eagerly anticipated first round heats of the Rural Kennels Unraced 525 got underway at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and of the six heats, it was Graham Holland that accounted for three winner’s, the pick of which was Blossoms Syd.

Kindly sponsored by Helen O’Dwyer, the Rural Kennels Unraced is the curtain raiser in 2025 with some of the Country’s next top stars unmasked in their bid to star throughout the next couple of years. On the night, it wasn’t surprising to see Graham Holland account for several winners and it was Justin and Pat Muldoon’s runner, Blossoms Syd that set the standard in blistering fashion. Despite not managing to raise a flag in qualifying, ‘Syd’ still posted attractive figures in defeat and he pounced late on debut to reel in the longtime leader, Faypoint Ranger, in heat four. Running from five, the 5/2 chance had no answer to his kennel companion in the early exchanges as ‘Ranger’ shot into a four length lead down the back, while stopping the third-bend sectional in a rapid 15.99. In doing so, the 1/2 jolly looked home and hosed, however, Blossoms Syd took off around the bottom two bends to quickly half the deficit. Now in full throttle, the son of Droopys Sydney and Blossoms Pet continued to motor on the run for home and duly swung around Faypoint Ranger to hand him a half length defeat. The time was a brilliant 28.49.

NOTHING TO SPLIT WILD AND BLACKY

Prior to that, the opening heat was landed in thrilling fashion as both Clonmoyle Blacky (Mallogs Marley - Mallogs Dolly) and The Other Wild (Ballymac Wild - Whitings Gift) dead-heated for their respective connections.

The Other Wild, owned by The-Born-Wild-Synd, set a pulsating gallop in this contest as he flew from trap six to open a healthy six length lead over Clonmoyle Blacky, who managed to get loose in second. In doing so, the Adam Dunford-trained charge, owned by Alex Antoniou, closed the gap on the approach to the third bend, however, still had plenty of work to do in order to peg back The Other Wild. Posting a rapid 16.18 sectional clock, The Other Wild maintained a strong gallop thereafter, however, came under serious pressure from Clonmoyle Blacky up the hill and, as a result, the judge was unable to split the pair. A dead-heat called, the time was 28.66 and both trackers look very promising going forward.

RADICAL TAKES HIS CHANCE

In heat two, the Thomas O’Donovan-trained Radical Mystery got off to a terrific career start in seeing off his rivals.

Owned by Ger Hutton, Radical Mystery was sent to traps at odds of 3/1 but he was only moderately into stride from trap two as both Brideside Bill in four and Gaytime Carla disputed for early supremacy. However, the former moved off the opening turn and this opened the door wide for Radical Mystery, who didn’t need a second invitation to hit the front. Opening a three length lead midway down the back straight, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and An Cailin Alainn was always in command thereafter as he posted 16.13 and despite coming under late pressure from Brideside Bill, O’Donovan and Hutton’s charge held on gamely to score. One and a half lengths separating the pair, the time was 28.84.

BOSS ALL OUT

In heat three, the first leg of the Graham Holland treble was secured as Snazzy Boss held on courageously to win for owner Denis O’Donohue.

Snazzy Boss (Pat C Sabbath - Hollywell Samba) came into the event with some eye-catching trial form around Enniscorthy but it was Toolmaker Josepe that was installed as the 4/6 favourite as he bid to emulate his incredible half-sister, Droopys Kathleen. On the run-up, it was basically four in a line but Snazzy Boss showed brilliant courage from his middle berth to swoop the opening bend and take a commanding four length lead down the back. Further back at this point was Harlequin Dahy in second, while Toolmaker Josepe was a further length back in third with plenty of work on his plate. That said, ‘Josepe’ took off from the third-bend on and Snazzy Boss was forced to pull out all the stops in order to curtail his advances on the run for home. A rapidly decreasing head between the pair, Snazzy Boss (7/4) stopped the clock in 28.73 and expect to hear much more from the first two home in the coming weeks and months.

VISION IS CLEAR

The treble for Graham Holland was completed in heat five as Shari-Anne O’Donnell’s Newinn Vision was flawless in getting off to the perfect career start.

Skywalker Schar was all the rage in this contest as he went off as the 4/6 favourite, however, on his immediate inside was Newinn Vision (2/1) and she took a flyer from trap one to show her rivals a clean pair of paws in the opening yards. ‘Schar’ showed a nice turn of early speed at this point but it was Newinn Vision that nipped around clear and in doing so, she opened a five length lead over her rivals. Posting a quick 16.24 to the penultimate turn, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Cuckoo was kept honest by the staying-on Cloncunny Flash in second, however, she had more than enough in reserve to comfortably cross the line two and a half lengths clear, in a time of 28.74.

BRILLIANCE FROM BORNA

In the concluding heat, the bookies went home happy as Borna Parachute made every inch of the running for Michelle Dwan in Thurles.

Just a June whelp, Borna Parachute came into the event with one of the more modest qualifying cards, however, there was nothing average about his debut performance as he dominated from the outset to run to a virtual solo. Installed at odds of 3/1, ‘Parachute’ disputed early doors with Cuteen Light, however, quickly gained the ascendancy from his inside berth in one. The son of Black Parachute and Borna Aoife quickly opened a three length lead as a result and in truth, he was never under any pressure thereafter as his rivals had no answer to Dwan’s powerhouse. Maintaining a relentless gallop on the run for home, ‘Borna’ extended his lead up the hill as he crossed the line five lengths clear of Getup Me Girl in second. The time was a fast 28.62.

YORKIE SCORES

As well as accounting for a trio of heat winners in the Rural Unraced, Graham Holland was also responsible for Yorkie Ollie, who again showed signs of a return to his very best in an AAO 525.

Yorkie Ollie was understandably installed at odds of 1/2 and he was on the ball from the outset as he broke in fine style from his middle berth in four. In doing so, the son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller, jointly owned by Michael Hennessy and Adrian Sheils, opened a three length lead over Lemon Ted in second and the latter looked a real threat rounding the penultimate turn as he briefly closed the gap. However, ‘Ollie’ wasn’t in the mood to be overturned on this occasion as he upped the ante on the run for home and he duly extended his lead to two and a half lengths crossing the line. The time was the fastest of the night, 28.38.