TRAPRISE - Scooby scores maiden victory at Limerick
Following a history making renewal of the Irish St Leger, competition action continued at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last weekend and harbouring much local interest, the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri Distance Stake saw Shane & Luke O’Connell’s Grouchos Scooby (Malachi-Kearney’s Lane) gain an overdue first race win in thrilling strong staying fashion.
A three-time previous runner-up, the John Byrne trained September 2022 whelp had reached the prestigious Lee Strand Final at Tralee over Saturday’s 550-yard opening round distance and appreciating every inch of the journey this time, shed his maiden tag at the eleventh time of asking.
Having encountered bumping when eliminated from his A1 525 stake semi-final last time out, the Knockalton youngster was again headed in the early exchanges on Saturday when only moderately to stride from trap 2 and trailed all rivals entering the opening bend before denied racing room while turning. Two lengths adrift of the fifth-place runner and six behind the leader before reaching the backstraight, a first victory appeared ambitious at best but although passing just one rival on the run to the third bend, Grouchos Scooby had reduced those arrears and continued to close on the leaders entering the home stretch. Confirming strong staying abilities on the run to the line, a daring passage between runners saw the Byrne winner strike the front in the final stride and posting 29.96, is placed amongst the leading contenders as the distance increases to a highly suitable 575-yards this week!
In the same event, the sixth heat of seven saw a brace of local challengers join Grouchos Scooby in this week’s second round draw as the Jack Moyles owned Hurry Kane made his return to action in a highly pleasing runner-up performance, with Lorna & Maureen Steed’s Jokers Corner chasing him to the line.
The local pair were separated by seven lengths as Jokers Corner (Broadstrand Bono-Skips Abby) sought the inside rail from his trap 5 draw while Hurry Kane (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Twister) put the pace to the race when swift to stride from trap 4. The latter was frustratingly caught close home in a 30.04 head defeat but when considered that he is Open class at 750-yards, Hurry Kane can likely progress for this pleasing comeback outing.
Boy bounces back at Galway
Six times in the trio placings from his latest eight race outings since last successful back in April, Noel Nagle’s Rathmartin Boy (Explosive Boy-Footfield Vicky) ended a frustrating spell at Galway on Saturday when securing a smart fourth race victory in the Inter Track Betting A5 525.
Campaigned predominantly over sprint trips throughout the early part of the season, the February 2022 whelp contested over four-bends the last twice but would progress to a new best over the 525-yards when displaying his sprinting prowess following a smart break from trap 3. Readily easing his way to a strong two-length lead at the opening bend, the Nagle charge did find a rival closing the gap with a shorter run on the rails approaching the backstraight but not for passing, he contained that threat when again extending to the closing turns. One further test would materialise from a strong staying rival in the home stretch but always in command, Rathmartin Boy struck the line with a length and a half to spare while posting 29.46 (-10).
That winning clock will bring a small rise to A4 next time, but his early pace remains a potent weapon within an extended run of highly competitive form.
Friday’s action at Newbridge introduced a new winner on the local racing scene as Denis O’Lone’s Lonesome Pete (Grangeview Ten-Millbank Moana) secured his first race win at the fifth time of asking in the Parade Jackets S4 325.
Having shown smart early pace in early career placed performances at 525-yards, the lightly raced Padraig O’Lone trained June 2022 youngster elevated his form to new heights this time in a second start over the sprint distance. Producing his best break from trap 2, the Roscrea charge immediately took command on the long run to the opening bend and always in command, completed a snug two-length winning verdict in 17.64. The performance ensures a rise to S1 for his next sprint outing but remaining largely unexposed, can progress further with an appealing option to contest at A3 level over four bends.
The Thursday fixture at Limerick again commenced the local winning action last weekend and concluding the meeting in the Lucky Last A3 525, Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Batman (Great Blue Shark-Errill Cindy) extended a smart run of form for the Cloughjordan kennels yet further while securing his fourth race win.
A recent A5 winner, the August 2022 whelp got to grips with his upgrade this time when tracking a brace of early paced rivals throughout the initial exchanges and within two lengths to the top of the backstraight, greatly impressed when overhauling the leaders approaching the third bend. Staying strongly, Abigails Batman extended to three lengths at the line while posting 29.30 and will hold obvious claims in the same grade next time.