TRAPRISE - Sizzling start to 2023 Tipp Cup at Thurles

The Opening round heats in the 2023 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Open 525 were the feature of last Saturday’s action at Thurles Greyhound Stadium and within a stellar renewal with some sizzling returns, a number of local kennels advanced to this week’s second round heats of the season’s feature at the Premier venue.

Amongst the hottest renewals of recent times, the first-round heats saw trainer Pat Buckley return a double and it was his Pape Di Oro who set the standard in Heat 4 with a brilliant 28.55 (-20) on his Thurles debut while companion De Gander Pen prevailed in a thrilling Heat 3 when a shorthead scorer in 29.25 (-20).

Our local challenge did not secure a victory on opening night but the first act in the event did see the John Byrne trained Outdoor Eagle (Magical Bale-Outdoor Roller) secure a path to qualification when fourth behind Tommy Morrissey’s Errill Daithi (Toolatetosell-Security) as both chased home Michael Donnelly’s slick winner Millroad Bolger in 28.62 (-20). With both suffering first bend bumping, both remain capable of advancing to semi stage if enjoying clearer passage this weekend.

The concluding heat of the first round saw Kirby and Oaks semi-finalist Terezas Mendoza a warm favourite as an outright fancy but along with a brace of local challengers, she was made to battle for a qualifying place in a bumpy affair.

Avoiding the traffic, Liam Peacock added to the earlier victory of Bogger Rambo when his Bogger Dusty led throughout in 28.90 (-20), however, there was much to be pleased with in behind as both Bernie Hogan’s Old Bill and the Pat Guilfoyle trained Swizz Star produced game qualifying performances.

From a largely level start, Old Bill (Droopys Sydney-Starry Display) would race in tight quarters to the opening bend before battling through bumps to emerge in third while on the tail of the favourite entering the backstraight. Predictably staying the 525-yard trip very strongly, the Hogan kennel will have been pleased with a three length third as Old Bill returned to his old stomping ground with a performance that he can build on next time.

Those same comments apply to the Premier Rebel Syndicate’s Swizz Star (Dorotas Wildcat-Clongeel Mills) as he suffered repeated bumping on the outside of the field around the opening bends and an unpromising fifth at the second turn, the August 2021 pup rescued his claims when staying well for a qualifying fourth and retains as much scope for improvement as any in the event. The Tipperary Cup continues with four quarter-final heats this Saturday.

Staying with that Saturday fixture at Thurles, the night did return a winner to cheer when James Treacy’s Montore Harry (Farloe Blitz-Montore Sally) extended his smart career start while landing victory in the Split The Pot A6 525.

Second in the same grade last time out, the May 2021 youngster was adding a fourth win from just eight career races when breaking on level terms from his suitable trap 6 draw as a middle-seeded runner. Displaying pleasing early dash while charting a true line to the corner, the Treacy charge turned with a one length advantage before drawing further clear while impressing along the backstraight. Never seriously threatened, Montore Harry struck the line with four lengths to spare in a new career best of 29.69 (-20) and though rising to A4 next time, should have no fears at that level.

Saturday’s Galway fixture introduced a new local prospect to the winner’s circle as the Eoin Troy handled Turkish Delight (Grangeview Ten-Mystical Luna) gained her first career win at the second time of asking in the Greyhounds Make Great Pets A5 525.

Thoroughly unexposed having been repeatedly denied clear racing room in a bumpy debut outing at the end of May, the Galler Syndicate owned December 2021 pup ensured greater fortune this time despite finding just a moderate start from trap 1. Pacing up well on the approach to the opening bend, the Moneygall charge defended her rails pitch while sneaking a run on the inside of tightly packed rivals while tackling the turn.

Streaking clear to the backstraight, Turkish Delight had the race all but settled by halfway and maintaining a powerful gallop throughout, struck the line with nine and three-quarter lengths to spare while posting a smart 29.14 (-10). A member of promising Troy bred litter, a rise to A2 next time while significant, can quickly be conquered by the smart prospect.

Amidst a host of smart returns across many venues over the past week, a most entertaining John Whelan Memorial Cup A3 525 Stake at Limerick saw a host of local runners advance to quarter finals in the valuable event which offers €4500 to the winner.

Although without a heat win on opening night, the event firstly saw Padraig O’Lone guide Ballybrack Skye to a one length second in 29.22 before Cathal McLoughney & John Cleary’s Eireanns Hope went down by just a neck in his 28.89 qualifier. Third in that latter contest with Terrence Delaney’s Chapelstreetlady, trainer John Byrne added a second quarterfinalist for Delaney when Dazzes Beauts safely advanced in third while less than two lengths adrift in her 28.93 heat.

Fourth in his swift 28.63 contest, Tom & Charlie Bourke’s Ballygraigue Jim can be expected to progress for that first Limerick experience this coming weekend and though succumbing to the fastest winner of the event in the concluding heat, Maureen & Sally Mounsey’s Patterdale Gigi can remain a factor this week following her five length third in 28.55.