A sparkling Gem to follow for McKenna

TRAPRISE

Winners continue to flow in a relentless manner this season for the Borrisokane kennels of trainer Vincent McKenna but through the plethora of victories at varying venues of late, shining brightest was Gem Friendly (Droopys Sydney-Suzie Sapphire) who announced herself as a real prospect with a sizzling debut victory at Dundalk.

Bred in the most purple of purple, smart trial spins preceded her first race appearance in the Bet Into Shelbourne Park ON1 400 Yard contest on the Friday before last and bearing a wide seed in trap 6, the Conor McGrath owned September 2023 whelp presented in sharp form when breaking on level terms in a hot novice event.

Displaying the best pace once in full stride, the McKenna pup eased to a strong one length lead before tackling the opening bend and smoothly galloping the turns, galloped readily clear of bumping rivals into the home straight. Maintaining a powerful gallop on the bunny, Gem Friendly completed the extended sprint distance in strong running manner while stopping the clock in a brilliant debut time of 21.33.

The performance means that she will be obliged to tackle elite company when next contesting over a sprint trip, however, with an opportunity to compete at A3 over four-bends a highly attractive proposition, keep an eye on entries in that sphere over coming weeks. Whatever route she takes next, Gem Friendly is one of the most exciting prospects on the local scene in recent times.

Rualocal Lad and Lallys Legacy completed a treble on that same weekend for Vincent McKenna and there was more to follow when the I Lost My Dog Syndicate’s Hinomite (Ballymac Best-Airfield Biddy) scored again on Thursday.

A recent A5 stake winner over 525-yards at Galway, the Borrisokane kennel stalwart eked out yet more improvement when reverting back to sprinting for the S2 350-yard contest at Shelbourne Park. Breaking sharply from trap 4, the June 2022 whelp never sighted a rival when confirming his early paced abilities and taking his tally to six race wins, posted 18.97 in a three and a half-length verdict which will bring a rise to S1 grade next time.

Abigail still on Fire in 2025

Another kennel within an extended run of smart winning form has been that of Abigail & Tina Morrissey and although their Abigails King suffered a luckless elimination from the McCalmont Cup on the previous weekend, Abigails Duke took his tally to an even dozen at Limerick and the Cloughjordan team were at it again on Thursday when Abigails Fire (King Elvis-Superb Beauty) secured his third race win.

Having commenced the season with a brace of victories, the April 2023 whelp endured luckless outings the last twice but finding a more adept start from trap 6 in the Talking Dogs A4 525 at Limerick, he showed the best pace on the outside while extending to a one length lead at the opening bend. Never under serious threat thereafter, Abigails Fire claimed his third career win with two lengths to spare in 29.26 (+10) and will hold obvious claims without an upgrade next time.

Hat-trick for Billy

Staying with in-form runners who continue to improve, the concluding AO 525 contest at Shelbourne Park on Friday saw Christopher Delaney’s Cagey Billy (Pestana-Lilly Lula) complete a wonderful hat-trick when ably coping with a return to Open Class racing.

An impressive A3 stake winner over further just a fortnight earlier, the April 2022 whelp was back in the capital and again swift to stride from trap 4, battled well for a narrow first bend lead and once in command to the backstraight, was never likely to be contained while certain to stay the trip stoutly. Duly completing with the minimum of fuss, Cagey Billy ran out a snug four and a half-length winner in 28.66 and with much scope over four-bend trips, can swiftly add to this thirteenth career win.

Bono goes back-to-back

Thurles again raced on Thursday last week and the wonderfully entertaining career of Pat Kennedy’s Ballinalick Bono (Broadstrand Bono-Ballinalick Rua) delivered another thrilling victory when once again going back-to-back in the Premier.

Having avoided an upgrade for his latest win in the same grade, the December 2021 whelp was scoring for the fourth time in his five most recent starts when displaying all of his smart early pace despite just a moderate break from trap 4.

Gamely forging a tight one length lead while tackling the opening bend, the Kennedy charge held that same margin to halfway before all but joined by a rival to his inside nearing the third turn. Again, easing clear while turning however, Ballinalick Bono led into the home straight and repelling all challengers, defended a head winning margin in 29.53 (-20).

Remaining in A4 grade, his claims for a hat-trick next time are obvious!

A further winner to cheer on that Thurles fixture arrived in the Benefit Nights at Thurles Greyhound Stadium A5 570 when Private Faithful (Magical Bale-Faithful Jane) shed his maiden tag in game style for trainer John Byrne.

A recent kennel recruit, the John Ryan owned September 2022 whelp relished her first venture beyond the standard trip when displaying the best early pace following a level break from trap 5. Easing to the front on the long run to the corner, Private Faithful never sighted a rival thereafter when posting 31.89 (-20) in a three and a half-length score. Lightly raced with ample scope for further progress, she may take an upgrade to A3 in her stride.