TRAPRISE - Boy makes brilliant debut for Byrne

Within a successful week of racing activity for many kennels at various venues across the country, the Saturday fixture at Limerick proved most fruitful and starring on the night was John Byrne’s Knockalton Boy (Confident Rankin-Knockalton Emily) who made a stunning debut in the Welcome To Limerick Stadium ON2 525.

A first runner for the home bred October 2022 litter, the Byrne newcomer had registered a smart 29.52 (-20) in a Thurles qualifying trial ahead of his first race experience and confirmed suspicion that he may be an above average recruit when displaying smart early pace following his adept break from trap 2 on Saturday.

Overhauling a fast-starting rival to strike the front before tackling the opening bend, Knockalton Boy would take a two-length lead to the backstraight when pursued by fellow smart pup Swift Jeromo for trainer Pat Buckley. The talented duo served up a high-class debut buckle thereafter and though tested as that rival stayed very strongly in the closing stages, Knockalton Boy had all the answers when coming through his first race assignment with flying colours. Striking the line with a half-length to spare, he posted a classy 28.53 which will see him obliged to tackle A1 company next time.

However, all top puppy events for the remainder of the summer and autumn will be likely targets for the next in a string of young talents for the kennels.

A busy weekend for the Byrne outfit brought disappointment for Grouchos Scooby in the Lee Strand Final at Tralee despite performing with huge credit following a very slow start behind winner Dashing Toro. However, a daring tilt at the English Derby with Grouchos Duke saw the kennel star safely advance to the second round at Towcester last Thursday when a close-up third to fellow Irish raider Crafty Shivoo and we will detail “the duke’s” expected progress in more detail next week!

Mcrea steers his way to victory

Back to that Saturday fixture at Limerick and providing further local cheer on the card was the Lorna & Maureen Syndicate’s Cunnigar Mcrea (Good News-Boom Time) when leading throughout the Hayes Family Reunion A2 550 for a slick third career score.

A winner under the same conditions just two starts back, the Pat Steed trained November 2021 whelp was suitably housed with a middle seed in trap 4 and breaking sharply, scampered to a strong two length lead at the corner. Bounding further clear while turning, the Ballinaclough charge reduced the race to a virtual solo passage when never sighting a rival, posting 30.17 in a two-length verdict.

With just a solitary race in five months before returning to action in March, and now two wins from his latest three outings, Cunnigar Mcrea may be primed for further career progression with an extended run of races and as such, will have no fears of a rise to A1 next time.

Third time Lucky for Buddy

Having displayed promise in both previous outings, John Meelam’s lightly raced Lucky Buddy (Premier Fantasy-Meduza) found smart progress to shed his maiden tag at the third time of asking in the Home Of The Kasko Produce Stakes A5 525 at Clonmel on Friday.

Off the track since runner-up in his November debut, the April 2022 whelp returned when filling that same position in a pleasing comeback while only going down by a neck in A6 company. Ably handling his small rise when clearly benefitting for that comeback spin, the Meelam youngster was well housed in trap 1 on Friday and sharp to stride, defended a rails pitch while easing his way to the front upon tackling the opening bends.

Never seriously threatened thereafter, Lucky Buddy confirmed the strong running abilities that he had shown in those prior races and left a highly pleasing impression when extending to a four and a half-length winning verdict.

Posting 29.11, he will now rise to A2 grade for his next outing, but it would come as little surprise if he quickly got to grips with that level while likely to progress yet further up the grading table.

Staying with the Friday action and a kennel in fine form of late, Christopher Delaney added yet another victory in a successful season as his Cagey Pauline (Pestana-Lilly Lula) bounced back to form when a dominant winner of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust 550 at Newbridge.

Having frustratingly failed to match her very smart debut winning form when scoring over 525-yards in 28.98 (+30) at Newbridge, the April 2022 whelp was returning to that venue for the first time since last December and clearly suited to the midland’s circuit.

Beginning on level terms from trap 5 before tracking an early paced leader into the opening bend at a one length deficit and remained within that length to the top of the backstraight, the Roscrea youngster switched to the inside when drawing level on the approach to the third bend and fully claiming the lead while turning, Cagey Pauline saw out the trip in stout fashion for a snug three length victory in 30.48.

That winning time will bring a rise to A3 for her next outing but always hinting at further improvement, she can be expected to handle the upgrade.