TRAPRISE - Tipperary Cup Fever for Mustang at Thurles

Opening round heats in the 2024 Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup Open 525 were the feature of a hugely entertaining Saturday fixture at Thurles last weekend and heading the local challenge in chase of the €7500 winner’s prize following a classy passage through her opening round heat is the Pat Guilfoyle trained Mustang Fever (Droopys Sydney-Mustang Kay Cee).

An early season finalist in the Champion Bitch Stake, the Sean Bourke & Paul Horig owned January 2022 whelp was returning from a three-month layoff before contesting Heat 6 from trap 3 and presenting in sharp order, would show the best early speed when breaking on level terms.

Easing her way to a tight one length lead at the corner, the Guilfoyle charge extended readily clear of some crowding while turning and had full command of the race before reaching the closing bends. The fast-finishing Piccadilly Attic reduced the winning margin to a length at the line but never seriously threatened in truth, Mustang Fever ably contained the threat while posting 28.96 (-20).

A pleasing return to action, it would come as little surprise should she draw closer to her best form in this Saturday’s second round. Joining Mustang Fever in the draw following a safe qualification from Heat 5 was the John Byrne trained Groucho’s Finn (Droopys Sydney-Oisin’s Choice) in his Thurles debut.

Unluckily bumped out of the Newbridge Derby second round last time, the Shane & Luke O’Connell owned May 2022 whelp began on terms from trap 3 but would take a significant bump to his inside from the rails drawn Ballymun Boy while tackling the opening bends. Subsequently finding the Thurles Champion Bitch Stake winner Singalong Dolly rushing up on his inside at halfway, Grouchos Finn would settle for third place behind that latter rival, four and a half lengths adrift in 28.72 (-20). Granted clear passage this week, the Byrne youngster can be expected to progress for this first experience on the circuit.

Mooza gives rivals a short Knock

It had been hoped to report on the safe qualification of Grouchos Duke from the English Derby quarterfinals this week but failing to lead in a bumpy gallop to the opening bend on Saturday, the early paced star was run out of the places late on at Towcester. However, there was better fortune for the John Byrne kennels on Friday at Limerick when Stephanie Byrne’s Knockalton Mooza (Premier Fantasy-Meduza) returned from a layoff in sparkling form!

In a wonderful career start, the April 2022 whelp had added A3 victory to her smart debut winning performance when last seen in October but a recent sprint trial in preparation for her comeback had hinted that the lightly raced Nenagh prospect was primed to perform ahead of her fourth race outing in the Roma Casino Limerick A1 525.

Just moderately to stride from trap 6, Knockalton Mooza reached the opening bend in fourth position with three lengths to recover but had halved that deficit when stealthily closing on the leaders while advancing to third approaching the closing bends. continuing to reduce arrears, the Byrne winner raced on the tail of the pacesetter at the top of the home straight and running-on stoutly, posted 29.31 in a one-length verdict. Remaining in the grade and given the manner of victory with that 18.75 350-yard sprint spin in mind, there is likely much more to come from an exciting Knockalton Mooza!

McKenna brace on TIME in Derby

The intriguing inaugural running of the Time Greyhound Nutrition A4 525 Derby saw a host of runners fall victim to the 28.90 time constraint in the opening round at Limerick and equally entertaining as it was treacherous, Saturday’s second round heats provided more of the same with eight given the chop for going too fast as Vincent McKenna safely guided his brace of challengers to this weekend’s third round.

Both in the ownership of John Croker, the Borrisokane kennel duo of Crokers Hugo and Crokers Captain had filled a first-round forecast in that order when safely striking the line in 29.15 a week earlier and though not claiming a heat victory on Saturday, both filled qualifying places and crucially, without going too fast!

Battling through bumping in the opening heat, Crokers Captain (Burgess Bucks-Crokers Wish) advanced when eight and a half lengths second to a 28.92 winner and clearly has more to offer if afforded clear passage following his half-length defeat in 29.15 at first round stage.

Always front rank in Heat 5, the early paced Crokers Hugo (Droopys Sydney-Crokers Princess) settled for a safe third placing when failing to strike the front while six lengths back of a 28.90 winner and the first-round scorer will be a greater factor if back to his best breaking form this week.

Qualifying when fourth to an exciting winner on opening night, Martin Kennedy’s Gortglas Dream (Magical Bale-Our Mary’s Dream) will join the McKenna duo in this week’s third round as she also filled third having just failed to get loose in the early stages of Heat 3. Leading to the corner, a brush to her hind quarters hindered momentum despite retaining the lead at halfway but although succumbing to stronger stayers late on, she progressed when a ten length third behind a much too fast 28.67 winner.

All time restrictions are now removed ahead of the action this Saturday and here’s hoping out local challengers can find timely improvement in the chase for €20,000 which is made possible by the generous sponsorship of William & Shane Rigney, and John Fox of TIME Greyhound Nutrition.