TRAPRISE - Lively Lucy can land Shelbourne final
On another busy and successful weekend for the in-form kennels of Vincent McKenna, the Thursday fixture at Shelbourne Park saw the Pat Hogan owned Aulton Lucy (Pat C Sabbath-Portumna West) embark on her first racing venture outside of Galway when a hugely impressive winner of her semi-final in the RCETS A5 525.
A winner in the same grade out west, the June 2021 pup was a solid second at higher last time but found marked improvement on this switch in venue when immediately in command following a sharp break from trap 2. A strong two lengths to the good at the opening bend having displayed slick early dash, the McKenna winner extended her advantage throughout a dominant seven length winning verdict in 28.90.
Aulton Lucy will take a rise to A2 following the completion of this week’s final but fastest of the qualifiers, the bright Borrisokane prospect can be fancied to buffer that upgrade by claiming the final prizemoney on Thursday evening!
Adding to the kennel exploits on Friday at Galway within a weekend treble, Tom Bourke’s Ballygraigue Ros (Rosbirr Ranger-Classy Ebony) claimed the fifth sprint win of his career in a thrilling S3 350.
Last successful in the same grade before the turn of the year, the August 2020 whelp broke well from trap 4 but ceded an early lead to a sharp rival when a length adrift at the opening bend. Powering into the turn, the McKenna winner ceded further ground when widest on the run to the home straight but gamely overturning a one-length deficit once again, Ballygraigue Ros forged a neck winning margin in 19.32 (-5) and will avoid a rise for his next outing.
Perfect five for Ten
Rounding out another hugely successful weekend for the Borrisokane kennel, the same connections were back on the scoresheet at the Galway venue on Saturday when Ballygraigue Ten (Grangeview Ten-Grangeview Vicie) further extended his truly remarkable career start and stepping up in trip, he claimed his opening round heat of the Galway Greyhound Stadium A3 525 Stake in a four-bend debut.
Four from four in his sprinting career start, the July 2021 whelp found only a tardy start from trap 1 but displaying his sprint dash, rushed up along the rail before drawing to within a half-length of the pacesetter at the top of the backstraight. Joining the leader at the third bend, the pair fought out a thrilling finish thereafter but displaying admirable resolve in his first 525 outing, Ballygraigue Ten retained a head verdict at the line and with scope to greatly improve his start, holds every claim to extend his winning streak having posted a pleasing 29.18 (-10).
Back to the Friday fixture at the same venue, the action commenced with a Maiden A7 525 contest and breaking her duck in thrilling fashion at the fourth time of asking was John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon Gift (Ballymac Anton-Colorado Josie).
Commencing her career in November, the July 2021 whelp had endured some luckless passages following slow starts but began a touch more swiftly this time despite trailing rivals in fourth position approaching the opening bend from trap 6. Holding strong against minor bumping while tackling the turns, the O’Meara pup was a six length third at the top of the backstraight but beginning to reduce that deficit while advancing to second at the closing bends, a sustained strong-staying effort saw Ballygibbon Gift get up in the shadow of the post for a shorthead verdict in most admirable fashion.
Retaining huge scope for further improvement, she will now take a rise to A4 following her winning time of 29.43 (-10) but can be expected to ably cope as she continues to hone racing skills in the infancy of her career.
Ranger revival!
The winning exploits for local kennels commenced earlier than usual last week with the monthly Monday fixture at Limerick returning a brace to cheer as firstly, the Mary Ellens Gang Syndicate’s Dolla Ranger (Candlelight King-Cnoc Rosie) ended a barren spell by claiming the eighth win of his career.
With a host of placed efforts since last successful at A2 grade, the February 2019 whelp has now entered the veteran stages of his racing campaign but bounced back to form having eased to a highly appealing level for his A6 525 contest. Always possessing smart early dash at the standard trip, the Ballinaclough stalwart was back to his best breaking form and immediately took command of the race while outpacing rivals to his inside for command of the rails position.
Over a length to the good at the opening bend, the Pat Steed veteran repelled the attentions of a persistent rival all along the backstraight and displaying pleasing resolve in the latter stages, defended a one and a half-length winning margin while stopping the clock in 29.47. That time will see Dolla Ranger climb to A4 for his next outing but going back-to-back may be as simple as repeating this latest smart break!
At the opposite end of his career, the following A4 525 saw the John Byrne trained Kitmins Greg (Grangeview Ten-Kitmins Jenny) extend his highly pleasing career start with a second win from his four race outings.
Backing-up the form of his novice stake second last time out at Limerick, the Kieran White owned June 2021 pup showed smart dash off a level start in trap 5 and displaying the best early pace, forged a tight one-length lead before some minor bumping to his hind quarters while tackling the opening bend. Displaying admirable battling qualities while dismissing the efforts of his nearest challenger on the run to halfway, Kitmins Greg skipped readily clear to the closing bends in eye-catching fashion. In behind, Sean Mulcahy’s Corporate Alert could be seen staying strongly from halfway having absorbed a significant bump at the opening bend and advancing to fill second place, he enters the notebook ahead of future outings. However, never for catching out front, Kitmins Greg posted 29.17 in a five and a half-length victory, leaving the impression that he can find further steady progress despite a rise to A3 next time.