TRAPRISE - Brilliant Bill will have Old man smiling

The career of Bernie Hogan’s Old Bill (Droopys Sydney-Starry Display) is one that has been followed closely by our entire local greyhound racing community for taking command of the collar and lead following the passing of her dad, the affectionately named “Billy Boots” was the last greyhound to be reared under the guiding hand of the late Tom White.

Proving as popular a figure at Thurles as Tom himself, Bernie’s first venture into greyhound training had seen her more than hold her own as having just passed two years of age, Old Bill had already claimed eight race victories when last successful in A3 grade back in September.

Never outside the trio placings in warmer contests in the interim, the July 2020 whelp was agonisingly denied victory over 570-yards when only going down by a neck last time out.

Leaving all recent frustrations aside however, the Nenagh favourite has maintained an admirable level of consistency under his handler who encouraged yet more improvement out of Billy Boots on Saturday at Thurles, in a truly landmark performance!

Claiming victory in the concluding A2 525, Old Bill advanced to a new personal best time, which saw him reach the heady heights of Open class for the first time in his racing campaign.

Finding a swifter break on Saturday, Bill held every chance when more forward in the early stages from trap 2 draw this week and little more than two lengths adrift of the pacesetting Cabra Hasty off the second bend, lay third and well within striking range.

With the leader also a strong runner at the standard trip, a stiff task still lay ahead but displaying all of his powerful backstraight pace, Old Bill ranged up on the inside of the leader at the third turn. Duly staying stoutly thereafter, Old Bill advanced to 28.89 (-30) while drawing clear to a classy two and a half-length verdict over that afore-mentioned rival and will now be obliged to tackle top company in his next outing.

Clearly inheriting much of her dad’s greyhound savvy, the profile of Old Bill as a thoroughly consistent racer while finding steady and incremental improvement throughout his career to date, attests to training abilities beyond the experience of his adoring handler. Take a bow Bernie!

Poppy must be Magical in Galway Oaks decider

A sizzling event from the outset, the 2022 GRI Galway Oaks has captured the attention of the entire greyhound racing world over the past fortnight and negotiating her way to this coming Friday’s final, Donal Guilfoyle’s Magical Poppy (Confident Rankin-Cabra Twister) will need a return to her brilliant best if she is to prevail against the redoubtable back-to-back track record breaker Raha Mofo.

The latter Murt Leahy trained Irish Oaks heroine returned to her home venue and delighting local support, broke the 525-yard record at the Sportsground when bounding to opening night victory in 28.27 (-10). Clearly at ease back west, Raha Mofo bettered that performance in last Friday’s semi-final session when stopping the clock in a stunning 28.20 (-10) as Magical Poppy endured a troubled passage in behind.

With bumping in both rounds, the Moneygall charge filled second on opening night but a smart start from trap 3 on Friday last saw her tracking Raha Mofo throughout the initial exchanges.

Within two lengths of the Oaks champ approaching the first bend, Magical Poppy looked likely to follow the eventual winner around the turns before taking a significant bump to her hind quarters. Ushered wide in a momentum killing incident, the strong staying Magical Poppy was relegated to fourth on the run to the backstraight before battling bravely to rescue her chances beyond halfway despite further crowding at the third bend. Out front, Raha Mofo enjoyed a solo passage in that sublime track record time, over eleven lengths clear of Bockos Melody with Magical Poppy third.

Final Draw: 1) Bockos Melody 2) Newinn Nifty 3) Magical Poppy 4) Cashen Miska 5) Clogheen Lass 6) Raha Mofo

The opposing semi-final was claimed by Newinn Nifty in 28.57 (-10) but attracting huge crowds to her home track while in such wonderful form, Raha Mojo will be extremely tough to contain if repeating her recent slick starts.

However, Magical Poppy is herself a supremely talented racer, capable of sizzling times over a range of distances and should she produce her best in a clear passage, her chances would not be as forlorn as the bare result of her semi-final suggests.

With a big crowd assured for a special night of racing in Galway this Friday, a number of local runners advanced to the finals of supporting events on the undercard and hopes are high for a busy report of local winning exploits next week.

Vincenzo fastest in Leger second round

So disappointingly forced to withdraw from the semi-finals of the Irish Derby, Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Vincenzo (Droopys Sydney-Alien Nipper) returned to racing action with victory in the opening round of the 2022 Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger and backing up that effort at Limerick on Saturday, went fastest of the second-round heats within a double for trainer Pat Guilfoyle.

Housed in trap 5 for Heat 4 following his opening 29.65 score, he found a less than adept break when over a length adrift of pacesetters Gortkelly Nestor and Deadly Showtime throughout the early exchanges.

Impressing with early dash however, the Guilfoyle winner remained within a length to the second bend and challenging on the outside, rounded Deadly Showtime to strike the front at the third bend following a high-class backstraight buckle. Easing clear to the home straight, Vincenzo posted a brilliant 29.48 in a two-length score while further signalling his fervent designs on the classic.

Completing a quick double for Pat Guilfoyle in the following Heat 5, Lars & Anita’s Wicander’s Wi Can Dream (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Angel) was another to remain unbeaten in the Leger with a typically smart early paced display to contain the opening round’s fastest runner.

A winner in 29.86 last time, the Juvenile Classic winner was quickest to reach full stride following a level break from trap 4 and established a two-length lead when reaching the corner in advance of kennelmate Magical Mary.

On her companion’s tail at the top of the backstraight, Mary hindered her winning chances when forced to markedly check behind the leader on the run to halfway. With Bobsleigh Dream recovering from her first bend bumping in behind, she would stay strongly to split the Guilfoyle pair but in a pleasing night which saw the Moneygall kennels guide all three representatives to quarterfinal stage, Wi Can Dream posted 29.64 in a half-length verdict with a further one and a half lengths back to Magical Mary in third.