TRAPRISE - Champion Fever demands Model Final performance at Thurles

Following highly competitive opening round heats in the Droopys Stud Champion Bitch Open 525 Stake, semi-finals in the prestigious event were the feature of the action at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last weekend and enjoying a successful Saturday in the Premier, trainer Pat Guilfoyle will be doubled handed for this week’s final as Fashion Model (Good News-Coolavanny Chick) stepped up from her first round third for a fastest semi victory.

Having her ninth start, the Paul Horig & Stephen Bourke owned March 2022 pup battled bravely through first round bumping when chasing home Annie On Faya in the fastest heat a week earlier but the exciting prospect ensured safer passage this time when breaking just behind the pace from trap 5. Tackling the opening bends on the outside of a tight three-way tussle, Fashion Model disputed the lead with Annie On Faya and Glengar Jasmine at the top of the backstraight. A protracted tussle to the closing turns would see the Guilfoyle starlet impressively ease her way to the front before tackling the third bend and with form at further, could be called the winner before reaching the home straight. Duly seeing out the trip stoutly, she held one and a half lengths over the strong staying Borna Flame in 28.85 (-20) for a timely fourth career win.

A super Saturday at Thurles had already seen the same trainer and owner combination safely guide Mustang Fever (Droopys Sydney-Mustang Kay Cee) to the Champion Bitch final when again filling runner-up position in a competitive semi-final.

Having chased home local rival Turkish Delight on opening night, the pair would again go paw to paw throughout the early stages of Saturday’s qualifier but this time while in pursuit of Giggyup Maggie. That latter rival led throughout but within three lengths in the following positions to halfway, all looked in place for both Turkish Delight and Mustang Fever to advance. However, with the field tightening around the closing bends, Turkish Delight would cede places when tight for racing room on the rails as Mustang Fever chased winner Giddyup Maggie to the line at a two-length deficit in 28.98 (-20).

Final Draw: 1) Bobsleigh Dream 2) Borna Flame 3) Giddyup Maggie 4) Mustang Fever 5) Singalong Dolly 6) Fashion Model.

A menacing presence ahead of the final is that of 2022 winner Bobsleigh Dream in her ideal trap 1. The Pat Buckley superstar has been held in the heats but left a huge impression when displaying brilliant pace at various stages of her bumpy semi-final passage when third to Giddup Maggie. Granted clear passage, she remains a big player in the final but once again, the early part of the decider can be shaped by Giddyup Maggie who will seek the rails from trap 3.

That unbeaten finalist is expected to lead and further out, there should be ample racing room for the Guilfoyle pair to her right. With realistic claims to head the chasing pack behind the expected leader, both can threaten beyond halfway. Much will depend on just how close Bobsleigh Dream can stalk the leaders to that point but sticking our neck out, Fashion Model can collect!

Staying at Thurles, and further final action this Saturday will see Jack Duff’s Yousonofathena (Skywalker Logan-Greenisle Athena) contest the final of the Pa's Bar, Upperchurch A5 525 Stake following a competitive event campaign.

A very hot competition for the advertised grade, the May 2021 whelp has filled third in each of three heats, latterly chasing home fastest winner Carneys Goldmine in 28.92 (-20). Admittedly with form to find ahead of Saturday, Yousonofathena has nonetheless led in each of the rounds with his early pace a feature of the event and capable of tackling the opening bends in front, holds a leader’s chance come Saturday.

Ahh Boy John & Stephanie

A staple of this column with a steadily increasing influence on greyhound racing over recent seasons, young custodians of Knockalton Kennels, John Byrne and Stephanie Ryan tied the knot on Friday last and we join our racing community in wishing them the very best for a married future which began in winning fashion at the Tipperary & District Coursing Meeting in Galbally on Sunday afternoon.

A smart pup who had repeatedly threatened Trial Stake victory throughout his competitive campaign this season, most particularly when runner-up to TA Morris winner Da Clinic Cure at Limerick City, the Conor Bourke & John Ryan owned Ahh Boy (Howdododo/Déjà vu) secured a hugely deserved success in the 16-runner Inter Club Stake on Sunday. Fastest in each round before final victory over Nearly Never Won, the May pup added fittingly to extensive weekend celebrations. Congratulations John & Stephanie.