Super Shark settles for spooky second in Tipp Cup
There was a wonderful atmosphere at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday for the showcase meeting of the season at the Premier venue and the 2019 Tipperary Cup delivered on all promise with a thrilling finale which still had local supporters dreaming of a fairy-tale success in the dying strides of a sizzling decider.
A warm 1/1 favourite for trainer Owen McKenna, Ghost Dancer (Scolari Me Daddy/Bewitching) found his best break to crucially command the early exchanges and once reaching the opening bend with a one length advantage over Melodys Joe, patrons could have been forgiven for believing that the verdict was as good as settled.
Aided by bumping for many runners in behind, the favourite stretched clear to the back-straight as the Pat Guilfoyle trained Skywalker Jorge had his challenge ended when severely hampered upon turning. Our remaining final hopeful, however, avoided any serious bump despite racing in tight quarters throughout the initial exchanges as Tina & Tommy Morrissey’s Great Blue Shark (Confident Rankin/Lady Midnight) would negotiate his way to third place off the second bend. Moderately to stride from Trap 4, his pursuit of a rails position saw him cleverly avoid bumping but six lengths adrift with the favourite in pole position, his win claims appeared ambitious.
It has been repeated in this column over past weeks however that this most tenacious of racers should never be underestimated and what followed was further endorsement of his impressive progression to the top grade of racing as the Shark produced a stunning display of power along the back-straight.
Drawing level with Melodys Joe at halfway, he would take aim at the leader when now just two lengths adrift at the closing bends. Turning for home and seeking to deliver his challenge on the rails, Shark drew ever closer to race on the tail of Ghost Dancer but with that rival occupying the ground where the Morrissey charge wished to gallop, Shark was forced to switch wide for one final thrust approaching the line.
Inching closer with every stride, the favourite was all out to repel the most popular greyhound at the Thurles venue but despite deafening encouragement from practically an entire stadium, Shark’s effort would fall short by a fast diminishing half-length at the line in a brilliant 28.81 (-40).
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