Grangeview and Cabra score in Kirby heats
The 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial commenced at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last weekend and having attracted the largest entry in just a seventh renewal, looks set to be the strongest running of the richest juvenile race in the world following an astounding set of first round heats.
Kicking off with three heats on Thursday, the opening act in the 2019 Kirby would conclude with thirteen heats on Saturday which returned the hottest night of racing that the Dock Road venue has ever witnessed.
From the outset, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Tas sparked a treble for her prolific kennels when having the track record under threat, missing out by just two tenths of a second when returning a flawless 27.97, setting the tone for what was to follow.
Indeed the Dowling kennels hold the strongest hand in the event at this stage with her litter brother Ballymac Syd (Droopys Sydney/Ballymac Razl) going closest to that mark when later posting a brilliant 28.07 but amidst what was a daunting arena on Saturday, our local challengers proved well up to the task with both Pat Guilfoyle and Michael Hogan returning brilliant victories.
First into action in Heat 7, Paul Scally’s Cabra Firmino (Kinloch Brae/Cabra Smokey) would get back to winning ways and again sees trainer Pat Guilfoyle with a live classic hopes after a dominant display.
Breaking very smartly from Trap 4, he would immediately take command on the run to the opening bend and turning the corner with over a length to spare, rushed readily clear to the back-straight. Extending his advantage throughout, he would reduce the heat to a virtual solo passage when registering an eight and a half-length verdict over Rattling Conor, stopping the clock in a brilliant 28.24.
The night would get even better for local supporters in the following Heat 8 when the recent rapid improvement of Michael Hogan’s Grangeview West was confirmed as the young Lorrha bitch scorched to 28.25 in a stunning display.
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