SECOND ROUND heats of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last and it was a night to remember as Clona Duke equalled the track record, as well as making history in recording the quickest time ever in the Kirby Classic.
By Michael Maher
The RPGTV Juvenile Derby winner is certainly on a mission down at Limerick and after posting a rapid 28.07 in the opening round, he went even faster to equal the 2013 track record, held incidentally by College Maybe (27.95). That said, in general all eight heats produced incredible performances and with the field now cut to 24-runners, things are set to get hugely competitive going forward.
It was in heat four that Graham Holland and Kevin O’Brien sent out their Juvenile Derby champion. Clona Duke soon leapfrogged Ryhope Beach last weekend as the outright favourite for KIrby glory after he posted 28.07 on a surface that was described as far from flying, however, he was to make a bit of history this time as he became the fastest greyhound ever in a Con & Annie Kirby since its inception.
The action continues this Saturday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, with gates open from 6.30pm. This Saturday will not only feature the racing action but Easter fun with an free admission and Easter treats for all kids.
The opening contest at the Galway track on Friday night last was for A6 graded runners Cregg View, Da Ultimate and Bumblebee Sally disputed the lead on the run towards the opening bend rounding which Da Ultimate took a definite advantage on the inside of the trio. Racing down the back straight Da Ultimate showed a couple of lengths clear of Cregg View as the red jacket of the reserve Colossal Venture began to creep into contention.
Racing around the third bend the Colossal Syndicate of Kilmaley owned Colossal Venture ran right round her rivals and quickly asserting the daughter of Droopy Sydney & Droopys Lullaby raced clear to defeat Da Ultimate by six & three quarter lengths in 29.27.
Race 3 on the night went to the James Healy of Ballyea owned Ballyfort Lulu who made just about all from her trap one berth to hold the persistent challenge of Brickhill Jane by three parts of a length in 29.88. The daughter of Droopys Sydney & Burgess Maxi was away well and rounding the opening bend she led Pinnacle Rio by a length with Brickhill Jane in third place. Racing down the back Ballyfort Lulu led her rivals by over three lengths but from the third bend Brickhiil Jane began to close but the winner was always holding the upper hand.
As the traps rose for the Novice Sprint all six runners were away on terms and racing towards the opening bend the six were lined across the track but approaching the opening bend the Brendan Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Tiger broke rank and led the field by a length entering the turn as Burkos Tonic led the chase inn second spot. Rounding the home bend though Glasheen Tiger was in command and the son of Wolfe & Glasheen Covid eased away to score by two and a half lengths in 19.52.
The Blessmefatherihave Syndicate members were in fine voice following the S6 graded sprint contest as their Bark Wahlberg trained by Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge recorded his second career success by a length and a half over Headford Chick in 19.55. Trapping well the son of Premier Fantasy & Geelo Lu Lu led by cover a length approaching the opening bend but he ran very wide allowing Headford Chick to briefly strike the front. On the run home though Bark Wahlberg regained the upper hand and strode on to success
Saturday night’s card at the Galway venue featured two races supported by the W.G.O.B.A in conjunction with the Nationwide Dillon Quirke Foundation “Wear Your Jersey” Nationwide Fund-Raising Night with the Quarter Finals of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 525 and the Connect 6 A7 Stakes also down for decision .
The second of the W.G.O.B.A Supported races was the concluding A3 525 and form traps Joeys Champ came away smartly and led to the opening bend from Blue Matilda in second place. Tracking well around the opening two bends Joey’s Champ led by a length and racing along the back the John Maloney owned son of Kinloch Brae & Mi Heaton Daisy continued to show the way to Blue Matilda as Grangeview Ron made progress out wide. Between the final two bends Joey’s Champ again track well as Grangeview Ron closed out wide. On the run home Joeys Champ was running in fumes but the line came just run time as he prevailed by a neck in 29.03.
Heat 2 of the Ann Cheevers Memorial Sweepstake went to the How-Deep-Is-It Syndicate owned Bayview Survivor (Lenson Panda-Bayview Flyer) trained by Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge but the only place he led was where it matters right on the line as he prevailed by a short head over the pace strong Shesanicelady in 29.28. Shesanicelady was very smartly away from her trap love berth and quick diving to the rails led by two lengths entering the back straight. At halfway the lead was three but from the third bend Bayview Survivor began to brigade the gap. On the run home the leader was on rules as Bayview Survivor nailed her on the line .
In the S2 Sprint Coolemount Boss and Lissatouk Dave were both away well along the inner and racing towards the opening they were closely attended to by Ballyhale Mick and Grangeview Liz. Rounding the bend the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Dave kicked on and led Ballyhale Mick by two lengths on the crown of the home turn before staying on well in the straight to prevail by a length and a half from his rival in 19.05.
