LIMERICK GREYHOUND Stadium is set to host the national racing awards night and the venue proved a happy hunting ground for Clare owners and trainers in the past week.
By Michael Maher
It has been confirmed that the National Greyhound Racing Awards for 2023 will take place on Friday, April 12th, 2024, at Limerick Greyhound Stadium. The event promises to be an exciting celebration of excellence within the greyhound racing community.
Nominees for various categories will be revealed in the coming weeks, showcasing the top contenders who have demonstrated outstanding performances and contributions to the sport.
At the Limerick venue on Thursday night last the Quin based Guzzley Pints Syndicate which includes Seamus and Aidan Duggan were in the winning enclosure with Two Pints trained and bred by Myles Cummins of Newmarket-on-Fergus, the son of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl recorded his tenth career victory in 28.92.
Donie Duggan from Rylane, Tulla duly obliged with Knappogue Blue in an A4 contest, a daughter of Magical Bale and No Time to Talk, this was career win number three in 29.11.
The Cooney Clan from O’Callaghan Mills under the stewardship of Donal, recorded a ninth career success with Killuran News, she’s the daughter of Good News and Anthid Classic, her winning time was 29.42.
Ger Garrihy a Kilrush native was victorious with Bethan who recorded her first career success in 29.38. She is a daughter of Broadstrand Bane and Straight Tully.
Galway Greyhound Stadium staged a student night on Wednesday last. In the A4 graded 550 yards fifth contest Wilbrook Sydney broke smartly on the wide outside to lead on the run towards the opening bend from Bumblebee Hayley with Abigails Sinead also close up as they approached the opening bend. Rounding the bend the Martin Meaney of West Clare owned Wilbrook Sydney led by over a length on the wide outside with Bumblebee Hayley within a length entering the back straight. Passing halfway the lead went out to three lengths as the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Wilbrook Sydney (Droopys Sydney and Killinan Reina) set sail for home and although Moneygall Aaron arrived with a wet sail off the final bend Wilbrook Sydney was still a length to the good at the line in 31.03.
In race two, the Tommy Flanagan of Ennistymon trained Ballyhealy Star made a fine winning debut in this Novice Sprint contest, the John Vaughan owned daughter of Doratos Wildcat and Blundekl Bridie proving three and a half lengths too good for the wide running So It’s Trouble in 18.25. The winner trapped well from her trap two berth and led by almost two lengths approaching the opening bend. Between the bend So It’s Trouble closed right up but he ran very wide on the crown of the bend and this allowed Ballyhealy Star to race clear for a comfortable success on the run in.
In the concluding A4 graded contest on Friday night’s card Springwell Denny and Denny and Millroad Penny were both away well and they matched strides towards the opening bend where Springwell Denny took a narrow advantage along the inner. Racing down the back Springwell Denny held a narrow advantage over Millroad Penny on his outside with Astro Kevin beginning to creep closer as they passed halfway. Racing around the final bend less than two lengths covered the front three but as they charged to the line it was the Damien and Gary Pepper of Feakle owned Astro Kevin (Droopys Roddick & Teecee Clipper) who stuck his neck out to prevail by a length and a half over Springwell Denny in 29.62.
As the traps rose for the S8 graded contest Doughuisce Lad was just about best away ahead of Distal Lady along the rails and this pair were closely attended to by Flyers Tornado as they approached the opening bend. Rounding the bend there was some bunching with Flyers Tornado the main sufferer and this saw Doughuisce Lad (Ballymac Best-Believer) kick clear but the Donie Duggan of Tulla owned and trained Doughuisce Lad was all out to see off the renewed effort of Flyers Tornado by a length in 18.84.
Fast times were the order of the day on Saturdays night’s card, the Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Jaytee is certainly a dream to own as the son of Jaytee Jet & Seekers Vision made it seven wins from seven career starts by a neck over Barntick Midget in 17.96 . The winner is gradually inching up the grades trapped in his usual slick fashion and approaching the opening bend led by two lengths from Barntick Midget and Mounvoor Lady. Off the home bend Barntick Midget began to close with every stride but Burnpark Jaytee knows where the line is and he made it just in time.
In the early strides of the S5 graded contest Birr Bomber and Ballyea Jet both shadowed pace towards the inner with Strideaway Messi prominent towards the outer as they approached the opening bend. Rounding the bend, the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Jet shot to the front and approaching the home bend the son of Jaytee Jet & Seekers Vision led by three lengths . Continuing to extend his advantage all the way to the line the Albert Mullins of Gort trained runner scored by seven and a half lengths from Meteoric Moon in 17.96.
