TRAPRISE - Skirk is a timely final Gem in poignant win at Limerick

Having gamely advanced to the final of the Limerick Clare GOBA A2 525 Stake, preparations for Christopher Delaney’s Skirk Gem (Droopys Sydney-Oldburrin Diva) had been overshadowed by the passing his dad Christy Fitzgerald who was laid to rest last week but delivering a poignant victory in a Christmas act of defiance, the kennel stalwart bounced back from a semi-final defeat with a stunning final winning performance at Limerick on Friday.

An opening round winner in 28.83, the August 2021 whelp was made to settle for third at semi stage but back to her best break from trap 3, immediately took command of the final when tackling the opening bend with two lengths in hand. Her semi-final conqueror closed to the tail of the Delaney winner nearing the third bend but shutting the door while sweeping the turn at pace, Skirk Gem once again asserted and seeing out the trip stoutly, registered 28.78 in a one and a half-length verdict.

As timely as it was impressive to view, the Delaney darling will have little fear of her rise to A1 next time.

Feshty sparks festive Byrne brace

A busy approach to the festive season saw a host of local challengers plunder Christmas prizes around the country over the past week and securing a double on Thursday at Limerick, the Knockalton kennels of John Byrne guided a brace of Toomevara owned stalwarts to victory for timely holiday reward.

First into action for the Happy Christmas To All A4 525, Michael & Terence Delaney’s Feshtys Mo (Grangeview Ten-Rifles Flash) shed her maiden tag at the fifth time of asking while sparking the quickfire brace as the April 2022 whelp gained due reward for her promising career start.

Twice a previous runner-up when succumbing in the final strides having displayed slick early pace, the Byrne pup again broke on level terms from trap 4 this time and once in full stride, predictably led to the opening bend. Tackling the turn with a length in hand, Feshtys Mo duly dashed clear to the backstraight and well in command to halfway, would not relinquish her winning opportunity this time. Seeing out the trip with more resilience this time, Feshtys Mo struck the line with three and a half lengths to spare while improving to a new best time of 29.11.

The performance will see her return to A3 but well supported in the market on Thursday, further progress would come as little surprise with her early pace remaining a potent weapon in graded company.

Connections hadn’t long to wait for the second leg of the double as the following Go Greyhound Racing A2 525 delivered a sixth career win for Terence Delaney’s Dazzes Beauts (Grangeview Ten-Ballybrack Lexi), and in thoroughly thrilling fashion!

Last successful in A1 grade, the August 2021 whelp took advantage of her plausible opportunity when level away from trap 2 and tracking a pacesetting rival around the opening bends, defended second position despite ushered back to a four-length deficit with minor crowding while turning. Rallying along the backstraight however, Dazzes Beauts rapidly reduced those arrears and on the tail of the leader at the closing bends, secured a passage on the rail entering the home stretch. Thoroughly game on the run to the line, victory was completed with a thrilling neck to spare and a winning time of 29.17 will see her avoid a rise in grade next time where a repeat will prove tough to prevent!

Chasing New Year Cash at Galway

A number of local challengers will seek to conclude the 2023 season with final success at Galway this Friday and with leading claims in the Happy New Year A4 Dual Distance Final will be John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Sive To One) having bounced back to winning ways in her smart semi-final victory last Thursday.

An early campaign A3 winner, the April 2022 pup endured a luckless outing over 600-yards last time and switching to 525-yards on Thursday, bounced back to her best when eventually securing clearer passage following minor early bumping having begun in mid-division from trap 5. Battling her way to a share of the first bend lead between runners, the O’Meara charge greatly impressed when fully taking command on the run to the backstraight and always strong at the minimum trip, completed her third career win with little fuss thereafter. Striking the line with three and three quarters of a length in hand, Ballygibbon Cash posted 29.30, all but matching the opposing semi-final and certain to be more suited by the 550-yards of Friday’s final, holds every chance of victory!

Also, for decision on Friday, the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust A3 525 will house a brace of local challengers but likely to dispute favouritism following an impressive semi-final victory is Laura O’Meara’s Chubbys Cruise (Ballymac Bolger-Chubbys Rolex).

In just a third career start, the June 2022 whelp had previously caught the eye in each of her two race starts when filling runner-up position in narrow defeats but a first pitch in trap 1 this time proved ideal to shed the maiden tag. Breaking on level terms, the O’Meara pup gamely defended the inside within a tight tussle approaching the corner and striking the front while turning, took full command on the run to halfway.

In behind, Eddie Ryan’s Moneygall Jack (Droopys Sydney-Bull Run Beam) had occupied his familiar early position at the back of field but ever eye-catching, produced his usual strong finish from halfway which would see him safely reach the final in third while passing rivals late on. Out front however, Chubbys Cruise completed her first race win with two and a half lengths to spare in 29.27, with just a half-length further back to Moneygall Jack.

Friday’s final will be a tight affair with the opposing semi-final won in 29.24 but both local hopes hold viable claims for victory.

Coco a maiden no More

Returning to the Friday fixture at Limerick and having repeatedly caught the eye with strong running abilities in his seven-race career start, Patrick Conway’s Curraghmorecoco (Droopys Sydney-Allowdale Coco) deservedly shed his maiden tag in time for Christmas by claiming the Limerick Clare GOBA D2 750, and when his first win finally did arrive, it was emphatic!

Debuting over the trip when third in a hot event last time, the October 2021 whelp was more forward in the early exchanges this time from trap 6 and rounding rivals around the opening bends, the Ballina charge struck the front entering the home straight on the first circuit. Reducing the race to a virtual solo passage thereafter, Curraghmorecoco confirmed his staying prowess in an eleven-length victory while posting 42.34.

Steadily progressive in his early career, this first victory may now see him pillage further prizes that his campaign would thoroughly deserve.