Magical lands Kasko in Blaze of glory

TRAPRISE

Amongst the perennial highlights at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, the 2024 Kasko Dog Foods ON2 525 Yard Stake concluded on Saturday, and confirming the form of his fastest semi-final victory, Alice & Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Blaze (Droopys Sydney-Amazing Alice) dominated within a wonderful start to his racing campaign.

Facing a tricky draw in trap 4, the January 2023 whelp crucially began on terms and matched strides throughout the initial exchanges with Pat Kennedy’s fellow semi-final winner Ballinalick Bono (Broadstrand Bono-Ballinalick Rua).

The latter again displayed his smart pace on the run to the corner from trap 6 but reaching the opening bend upsides his local counterpart, saw the Moneygall winner ease clear with benefit of the inside rail on the run to the backstraight. Two lengths to the good nearing halfway, Magical Blaze continued to draw clear when impressively galloping smoothly across a saturated Saturday surface at Thurles and completing victory in comfortable fashion, held six lengths over Ballinalick Bono at the line in 29.31 (-20).

Clearly both forecast fillers are bright prospects to follow for the remainder of the season and beyond while highly likely to prove difficult to contain within their respective grades next time out.

Warming up for that Saturday feature in the Premier, patrons most likely got a glimpse of a real future star in the sport as trainer Pat Guilfoyle again chose the sprint trip at Thurles for the further education of an exciting kennel prospect with the John Kennedy owned Epic Ace (Signet Ace-Free From Desire) wowing all in the Greyhounds Make Great Pets SS0 330.

Having announced his astounding latent abilities in a sizzling 18.32 debut victory over Shelbourne Park’s 350-yard distance, the December 2022 whelp confirmed that level of form when dominating on Saturday despite just a moderate start from trap 5. Displaying powerful pace on the run to the corner for a two-length lead while turning, Epic Ace drew clear to a four and a half-length winning verdict in a classy 17.61 (-10) and leaves the sport greatly anticipating his next appearance.

Take two for Vincent in McKenna Memorial

The Friday action at Galway brought the commencement of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 525 Yard Stake and bidding to retain his generous sponsorship funds for the 18-runner perennial, trainer Vincent McKenna claimed victory in two of the three opening round heats!

With just a brace of sprint events under her belt when held following slow starts, it was McKenna’s own Lisk Rapid (Broadstrand Bono-Ballygraigue Sue) who was first into action when stepping up on those previous efforts to impressively shed her maiden tag at the third time of asking.

Keeping closer order throughout the early exchanges following a level break from trap 4 this time, the January 2023 whelp was tight for racing room approaching the opening bend and suffered most amidst crowding while turning, shuffled back to a six length fourth at the top of the backstraight. Thoroughly impressing from that point however, Lisk Rapid stealthily reduced her arrears from halfway and on the leader’s tail entering the home stretch, powered her way to the line for a three-quarter length verdict in 29.45 (-10).

Leaving big scope for improvement, she will prove tough to contain in the event.

Fastest on opening night when claiming the following heat, the I Lost My Dog Syndicate’s Hinomite (Ballymac Best-Airfield Biddy) completed the quick double for the Borrisokane kennels when leading throughout his second career win.

Bearing a wide seed in trap 5, the June 2022 whelp began on terms in his seventh race outing and easing his way to a one length lead at the opening bend, never sighted a rival thereafter. Completing his solo gallop to victory with a snug four and a half lengths in hand, Hinomite posted 29.35 (-20) and ensures that the sponsor holds the strongest hand ahead of this week’s semi-finals.

The Thursday SIS fixture at Limerick again commenced the local winning exploits over last weekend and taking advantage of an ease in grade for the Time Greyhound Nutrition A3 525, Martin Kennedy’s Gortglas Dream (Magical Bale-Our Marys Dream) secured the eighth win of her career in a thrilling contest.

Last successful at A4 level back in June, the September 2021 whelp reached a career high of A1 in that victory and far from disgraced in defeat since, would always prove difficult to contain this time once breaking well from her ideal trap 1 berth.

Ably defending the inside line while displaying all of her smart early pace on the run to the opening bend, the Kennedy winner eased her way to a three-length lead while turning and though strong staying rivals would reduce her lead beyond halfway, she still held the call to the home stretch. Persistently threatened on all sides approaching the line, Gortglas Dream contained all threats for a neck verdict in 28.92 and should not be overly inconvenienced by a return to A2 next time.

Four in a row for Cash

Limerick continued to provide highlights over last weekend and the Bob McSweeney Bubbles Derby A1 525 on Saturday saw John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Sive To One) continue his winning ways in hugely impressive style.

Following his dominant A3 stake victory at Galway of late, the April 2022 whelp ably handled his upgrade when gamely battling for command of the rails following a level break from trap 2 this time. Just showing in front on the inside, the April 2022 whelp would ensure a fourth win on the spin when tackling the corner with a tight advantage over packing rivals. Leading by a length to the backstraight, Ballygibbon Cash settled the race on the run to the closing bends, seeing out the trip well for a three-length verdict in a new best of 28.59 and he will rise to A0 for his next outing.

The later Con Murphy Bookmakers A2 525 on that same Limerick card saw an impressive trap to line victory for Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Duke (Great Blue Shark-Abigails Sky) when extending his smart strike-rate in a ninth career score.

Bouncing back from a bumpy outing last time, the June 2022 whelp began sharply from trap 1 before drifting towards the middle of the track on the run to the corner. Easing clear of packing rivals while turning, the in-form Morrissey kennels saw the Duke ease further clear thereafter for a snug four-length winning verdict in 28.97, establishing a most impressive 33% win rate within his ultra-competitive grading bands.

The late Paddy McLoughney

It was with great sadness that the greyhound community in North Tipperary and far beyond received news of the passing of Paddy McLoughney, Coolagorna, last week.

Widely known in many sporting circles and so readily recognised for his flagship National Hunt horse Coolagorna, Paddy was also a lifelong racing participant on the greyhound tracks of Ireland within a greyhound loving McLoughney family, passing that sporting passion to nephews and nieces who regularly feature in this column.

Latterly a regular at Limerick Greyhound Stadium where he and his pre-deceased brother Charley enjoyed much success, Paddy leaves behind a myriad of friends as young and old alike lament the loss of a true gentleman. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.