Blaze and Bono claim Kasko semi-finals at Thurles

TRAPRISE

A prestigious perennial at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, the 2024 Kasko Dog Foods ON2 525 Yard Stake reaches final stage this coming weekend and a local challenge in the event claimed both semi-finals as Alice & Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Blaze (Droopys Sydney-Amazing Alice) went fastest in a slick passage throughout semi-final victory on Saturday.

Following a pleasing debut when a close-up second in the fastest opening round heat, the January 2023 whelp reversed form with his debut conqueror this time and smartly to stride from trap 4, the Moneygall charge never sighted a rival while leading throughout. A length to the good nearing the opening bend, Magical Blaze skipped readily clear of bumping rivals while turning and with the race settled by halfway, completed victory over first-round rival Zenith Effendi with six lengths to spare in 29.26 (-20).

Joining the Guilfoyle starlet in Saturday’s Kasko showdown will be Pat Kennedy’s Ballinalick Bono (Broadstrand Bono-Ballinalick Rua) as he showed the benefits of his debut experience when landing the opening semi-final in similarly early paced fashion.

Grateful for a fourth qualifying place on the previous weekend, the December 2021 whelp bore a middle seed in trap 6 and breaking on terms, displayed the best early pace for a one length lead at the opening bend. Sweeping the turns at pace, the Norwood pup doubled that advantage to the top of the backstraight and although persistently threatened by eventual runner-up Voltereta, proved resilient in the closing stages when defending a one length winning margin in 29.79 (-20).

Sydney has sights on Leahy Memorial

Always a major highlight of the season at Curraheen Park in support of the Irish Laurels, the 2024 Michael Bart Leahy Memorial A2 525 Yard Stake reaches final stage at the Cork venue this Saturday and taking viable claims to the €10,000 showdown will be the Vincent McKenna trained Crokers Sydney (Droopys Sydney-Crokers Princess) following a timely first victory in the event at semi-final stage.

Displaying his smart early pace in two previous runner-up performances, the John Croker owned June 2022 whelp broke adeptly from a suitable trap 2 this time but was contained in second position on the run to the corner by the fast-starting Arclight Pilot. On that rival’s tail while negotiating the opening bends, the Borrisokane youngster inched ever close to the pacesetter along the backstraight before bravely striking the front on the outside at the closing bends. That same rival produced a rallying effort in the home stretch but although hard pressed nearing the line, Crokers Sydney retained ample resolve for a half-length verdict in 28.68.

The event features a hot favourite in the form of Paul Hennessy’s Dynamic Force who is unbeaten following his 28.35 performance on Saturday but there remain plausible hopes for a McKenna victory this week. Despite a tricky draw in trap 4, Crokers Sydney possesses the early pace to lead if producing his best break and would complicate passage for all rivals if doing so!

Devon delivers in Kingdom decider

Having made a scorching debut over four bends when setting new track record figures for the 500-yard trip at Tralee in the opening round heats of the K.G.O.B.A Tri-Distance Stakes, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Daleroad Devon (Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna) completed his unbeaten passage through the event on Friday and retains a perfect set of figures at the outset of his career following a dominant final performance.

Backing-up his record run with a brace of victories over 525-yards, the Thomas O’Keefe owned December 2022 whelp relished the extra yards on the run to the corner as the event moved to 550-yards for Friday’s final and despite headed at trap rise by main market rival Ballymac Bella, eased his way to the front with command of the rails before negotiating the turns. Completing victory with the minimum of fuss thereafter, Daleroad Devon saw out the trip with much aplomb while stopping the clock in a fast 29.65 (+10).

Now six from six, he will be obliged to tackle the elite of racing going forward but clearly has the latent abilities to be another big force on the Open scene for his prolific connections.

Cody is Friday fastest

Closer to home, Limerick provided much local cheer last weekend and kick-starting the entertainment on Friday in the Time Greyhound Nutrition A2 525 was Dominic O’Brien & Alex Byrne’s Knockalton Cody (Malachi-Ballymac Rouge) as he claimed an impressive second race win from five career outings while fastest of the fixture.

Within a promising career start for the John Byrne charge, the lightly raced May 2022 whelp was only narrowly denied in the same grade last time but breaking on terms from trap 6 on Friday, challenged for the lead on the outside of a sharp pacesetter throughout the initial exchanges. Briefly checked back to a two length second before reaching the backstraight, Knockalton Cody very much impressed when joining the leader on the inside at the third bend and stamping his authority on the race, thereafter, eased to a two length winning margin in 28.61 and will rise to A0 for his next outing.

Saturday’s Con Murphy Bookmakers A1 525 at Limerick would deliver a weekend double for trainer John Byrne as the Shane & Luke O’Connell owned Grouchos Blake (Magical Bale-Clondoty Amy) secured a fourth race win on his return from a three-month layoff.

Ideally drawn on the fence, the March 2022 whelp began sharply and fending off runners to his outside while retaining the inside line, eased clear of tightly packed rivals while negotiating the opening bends. In command to halfway, Grouchos Blake was pursued by a strong running rival thereafter but ably defending a three-quarter length winning margin posted 28.94 and without a rise next time, can be expected to progress for this pleasing comeback performance.

Martin makes smart debut

Staying at Limerick and commencing the Saturday action in the Welcome To Limerick Stadium ON2 525, Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Martin (King Elvis-Superb Beauty) denied the John Byrne kennels a weekend treble as the bright prospect left a highly pleasing impression within an accomplished debut winning performance.

Presenting in sharp form with a swift break from trap 6, the April 2023 whelp immediately showed in front from Jessica Reddan & Ali O’Brien’s rails-running Taylormade Scala (Droopys Sydney-Swift Cigarette) with a length in hand while tackling the opening bends. Extending that advantage to near three lengths at the third turn with that same local rival a persistent threat, Abigails Martin maintained a strong gallop out front.

Ultimately staying strongest thereafter, the Morrissey winner struck the line with five lengths to spare and leaving ample scope for progression having charted a middle course throughout, posted 28.90 and clearly both the local forecast fillers warrant close attention over the coming weeks and months.