Record breaking start to St Leger at Limerick

TRAPRISE

 

The Friends Of Limerick Greyhound Stadium Irish St Leger was already set for a unique renewal of the classic in 2019 with the winner’s prize enhanced to €30,000 following a successful sponsorship drive by the sport’s participants in the Treaty county.

Attracting the very elite of racing to Saturday’s first round however, the event was set alight by the Paul Hennessy trained Jaytee Taylor when posting new figures for the 550-yard trip at Limerick.

The 2018 Derby finalist was a warm favourite for Heat 8 following a swift success on his return to Limerick a week earlier and breaking as well as ever at present, duly took command of the race when leading on the run to the first bend. A powerful stayer over the classic trip, Taylor would never be for catching in such a scenario and he returned a facile nine and a three-quarter length winner in a sublime 29.21!

Vastly less experienced, the heat clearly presented a daunting task for Roger Mounsey’s Patterdale Greg (Tyrur Big Mike/Minor Winner) as the talented September 2017 youngster opened his St Leger account but trainer Pat Guilfoyle will have been delighted with the manner in which this exciting prospect secured second place behind the new track record holder.

Facing a tricky draw in Trap 4, Greg broke only moderately before a brief brush approaching full stride. Displaying smart early dash however, he looked likely to turn in second place before a more significant bump would see him shuffled back to fourth at the top of the back-straight. A powerful turn of foot passing the halfway mark would see the Mounsey hopeful again challenge for second place and rallying further approaching the third bend, Greg forcefully claimed second to chase Jaytee Taylor home in a most eye-catching performance.

 

 

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