TRAPRISE - Cody looking Good in Laurels

The 2022 Irish Greyhound Laurels was reduced to semi-final stage at Curraheen Park in Cork on Saturday, and on an evening of mixed fortune for the Moneygall kennels of Pat Guilfoyle, the John Kennedy owned Good Cody (Definate Opinion-Soho Ark) resumed winning ways in most game style while confirming his fervent designs on the classic.

Having commenced his campaign with a brilliant 28.05 (+10) victory, Good Cody found a highly pleasing qualifying performance from a treacherous round 2 assignment and earning a trap 3 draw for the third quarter final, returned to the winner’s circle when passing an exacting early paced test from Serene Ace.

That latter Michael O’Donovan trained star was ideally housed in trap 1 and breaking best, led the Guilfoyle charge to the opening bend while retaining a one-length advantage to the top of the backstraight. Nothing changed to the closing bends with that same margin separating the leading duo before a high-class tussle was settled when Good Cody ranged up on the outside of Serene Ace off the final turn, subsequently easing clear to a one and a half length verdict over the staying-on Kilcolgan Comet in 28.34 (+10).

That winning time was marginally the slowest of the four heats on Saturday but that will not concern Pat Guilfoyle one jot and rather the manner of victory will have greatly pleased all connections with Serene Ace occupying the ground that Good Cody would wish to gallop for much of the journey.

The remaining quarter finals were claimed by outright favourite Swords Rex in 28.20 (+10) in a heat that brought the elimination of Wi Can Dream following a poor start, Galloping Sydney in 28.23 (+10), and the previous week’s track record breaker Droopys Edison in 28.11 (+10).

Continuing this Saturday, Good Cody has been drawn in trap 2 for the second semi-final with most notably Swords Rex in trap 4 and Galloping Sydney in trap 5. Defending champion One Time Only is to his immediate right in trap 3 but fancied to at least match rails runner Priceless King throughout the initial stages of a vicious early paced heat, Good Cody can be fancied to secure a qualifying place at the very minimum.

MCKENNA DOUBLE HANDED IN BRUSSELLS MEMORIAL

Always a warm and highly competitive graded event at Galway, the 2022 Liam Brussels Memorial A4 525 Stake commenced on Saturday, and claiming two of the five first-round heats was the Borrisokane kennels of Vincent McKenna with the Paul Pardy owned So Its Rapid (Rosbirr Ranger-Classy Ebony) just about claiming the bragging rights for the spin home when posting a hugely impressive 29.09 (-20).

A previous winner in A8 grade, the lightly raced August 2020 whelp broke on level terms from trap 6 before absorbing a brace of hefty bumps from a rival to his inside while tackling the first bend. Cleverly switching inside that opponent at the crown of the turns, the McKenna winner belied his inexperience with that track craft while readily dismissing all challengers with a powerful gallop to halfway. Four lengths to the good at the third bend, So Its Rapid continued to pile on the pressure thereafter and held seven and a half lengths in hand of his nearest pursuer at the line.

Made to work a touch harder in his opening round heat, Vincent McKenna’s Lisk Falcon (Magical Bale-Heathlawn Robin) claimed his third win from six starts while finding further career progression in his first step up from sprint distances.

Breaking behind the leaders from trap 6, the October 2020 youngster displayed all of his smart early pace on the outside of the field and despite charting a wider course around the opening bends, struck the front when visually impressive off the second turn. Settling the race when five lengths clear to the third bend, his resolve was tested in this first four-bend experience but repelling a strong staying rival, Lisk Falcon was full value for his one length verdict while posting 29.11 (-20) and both McKenna winners can play leading roles as the event continues this weekend.

On a busy Saturday with local winners across a host of venues, travelling furthest once again was trainer PJ Tynan as he guided Pat O’Connor’s Hillstreet Puma (Pat C Sabbath-Holiday Madge) to A2 550 victory at Dundalk.

A kennel in form following the 21.79 victory of Parnell Jim (Azza Azza Azza-Parnell Mags) over 400-yards at the same venue on the previous weekend, Hillstreet Puma supplemented his September A7 victory when ably coping with a significant rise in grade this time. Breaking best from trap 3, the September 2020 youngster never sighted a rival while fending off a strong late challenger with three parts of a length to spare in 30.41 and the Ballinderry charge will hold every chance at the same level while seeking a hattrick next time.

Finally for this week, Saturday’s A6 525 event at Galway delivered a maiden victory for Michael Rafferty’s Millrose Tiny (Good News-Moanduff Daisy) at the fifth time of asking. Shaking off the greenness shown in previous starts, the January 2021 pup broke on level terms from trap 1 this time and comfortably defending her rails pitch, took a one-length lead to the opening bend before the Ballingarry bred pup skipped clear to a dominant five and a half-length score.

Highly impressive while posting 29.35 (-20) which will see her rise to A3 next time, the victory harboured much more significance for all connected to the Rafferty kennels as the last of many, many winners which passed through the expert hands of John Rafferty.

THE LATE JOHN RAFFERTY

It is with immense sadness this week that we bid farewell to one of the best known and revered members of our greyhound community as our friend John Rafferty of Ballingarry passed away on Sunday following a lengthy battle with illness which he bore with admirable grace and bravery.

Known in every capacity in both codes of greyhound racing, he was a most sporting competitor, loyal supporter to all our local kennels, and a font of greyhound knowledge.

Known throughout the country, John will arguably be missed most at Thurles Greyhound Stadium where his expertise in track maintenance made him a legend at the Premier venue.

However, patriarch of a greyhound adoring family and above all his extensive achievements, John was the most obvious of proud fathers and family man, and all in our greyhound fraternity extend the hand of friendship with most sincere condolences to his wife Patricia, Michael, Jenny, Leanne, Aisling, Amy, and Cian. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.