Following on from her fantastic 28.59 performance in the opening round, the Declan Byrne-trained Melodys Diamond was again in sparking form when posting the fastest clock in second round heats of the Roche’s Feeds Limerick Oaks at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium last Saturday night.

Parteen owner Tom Fitzgerald also continues to have a strong hand in the Oaks, with his Ocean Maeve, who performed magnificiently for the second weekend on the trot, this time wining with an improved clock of 28.77.

But the night belonged to Melodys Diamond, who won the fourth and final heat in the best time, 28.47. She disputed the lead at the bend, with Split Stream and Razldazl Amy but took a hefty bump and was third at halfway. However, she recovered her brilliant pace and in the run-in overtook Razldazl Amy to win by two lengths, with BallymartinWok a further legth and a half back for third place.

The clock stopped at 28.52 for Lanscape when winning the first heat by six lentgths from Valais First, with Mustang Merkel beaten a neck into third place.

The Michael McNeice-handled Dooey Crank was a 28.51 winner of heat three, when finishing a length and a half in front of the slow-starting Locnamon Bridie.Third place went to Side Order, five lengths back.
Ocean Maeve (Royal Impact-OceanLucy), was again in sparking form for Parteen enthusiast Tom Fitzgerald, when winning heat three from trap three.

The 6-4 favourite railed well to take the lead at the first bend, stay in front for the rest of the trip and hold off the charge by Dromore Sophia to win by two and a half lengths in 28.77. Third home was Veranda.

There should be a big crowd for the Oaks semi-finals in Limerick next Saturday night, the draw for which is listed below.

Heat one, 1, Locnamon Bride, 2 Razldazl Amy, 3 Valais First, 4 Melodys Diamond, 5 Side Order, 6 Dooey Cranky; Heat two, 1, Landscape, 2 Dromore Sophia, 3 Ballymarkin Wok, 4 Ocean Maeve, 5 Mustang Merkel, 6 Veranda.

First-round heats of the Johnny Waters Memorial A5 Novice 750 also got underway in Limerick last Saturday night. A qualifier from the opening heat was Malbay Tulisa, owned by Sarah Burke, Miltown Malbay, She finished third in the heat won by Droopwellsec in 42.22. Other heat winners were Kish Chopin (42.69), Proper Peach (42.54) and Miss Understated (42.04).

The semi-finals will be decided next Saturday night. Trap draw: Heat one 1, Beannacht Breeze, 2 Droopwellsec, 3 Zulu Gaga, 4 Art Deco, 5 Bisto Anna, 6 Skule Brae; Heat two, 1, Monroe Rumble, 2 Miss Undersatated, 3 Kish Chopin, 4 Proper Peach, 5 Malbay Tulisa, 6 Greenisle King.

The Limerick card this Friday night has two semi-finals of the Limerick Stadium Open Unraced 525 sweep, a 12-dog stake, with €750 to the winner.

Know No Bounds, owned by Mary Brennan, Bunratty, was third in an A5-graded 525 in Limerick on Friday night while Cragaknock Lilly and Craggaknock Hope, both owned in Mullagh by John O’Kelly, were third in their A7-graded 525 and A5-graded 525 races.

The big race of the night, Smart Builder Cliona’s Foundation Inaugural Buster, A3-graded over 525 yards, went to the Roscrea-owned Raggletaggle Ron (Crash-Raggletagglerosie) in 30.36.

 

Clare owners strike form

Clare owners dominated proceedings at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium on Saturday night, winning seven of the 11 races on the card, including the featured Cregmore/Claregalway Soccer Club A3 525 final, which went to the Quilty-owned Jacksies Roar.

Drawn in trap one, Jakcises Roar went off the warm 5-4 favourite for the winner’s purse of €1,050. He did not disappoint with a good break to share the early lead, with the trap six runner, Call Me Bullet on the opposite side of the track. However, as they got nearer the opening bend, Jacksies Roar moved up a gear to lead from Davris Joy, in trap two. Extending his lead down the back, the son of Ballymac Maeve-Jacksies Nikki was looking good as he left the back straight and did not put a foot wrong as he powered to win the by nearly four lengths in a fast 28.87 for trainer Frank Cleary and owners Martin Sexton and Norfeen Cleary, all from Balltymakea Mor, Quilty. It was the ninth career win for the brilliant white and fawn dog. The runner-up was Feed Me Cherrrys, owned by Kim Knell, Mountshannon.

Kilmurry trainer, Stephen Murray and owner, Martin Williams, Quin, won the chief suppoprting race, the A2-graded 525, with the appropriately named Out Of The Sky (Almighty-Jack- Newlanw Nellie). Drawn in trap two, the 5-4 favourite soon caught up with the early leader, Heathlawn Blaze, to get through on the inside at the opening bend. The favourite had a four-length advantage by halfway and was still well clear coming from the home bend and was on his way a clear-cut five lengths win in a good 28.96. This was the sixth career win for the black.

Ennis publican, Ciaran Browne, had the first of the Clare successes with his Cranny Coolmeen in the first race of the night, an A4 graded 525. Harbourt Light was in trap five and Combo Sarah in two. Down the back, it was Harbour Lad in front but Cranny Coolmen, who saved a lot of ground with his inside run, was moving well and passed Harbour Lad to lead at the third bend. It was all Cranny Coolmeen from this to the finishing line, winning by nearly four lengths in 29.17 for the Ennis publican and trainer, Kieran Browne.

The Clare-owned Eightiesrepublic (Donal and Liam Chambers) was third placed in the next race, an S8/S0-graded sprint won in 19.54 by Esker Stroke.

In scoring his maiden success, the Roscrea-owned Leonies Scolari made all the running to take an A6-graded 525 with a clock of 29.52 and by three parts of a length from Master Todd, trained by Maurice Mullaney for Noel McMahon, Ennistymon.

Ring Twice is putting a nince card together for Doonbeg owner-trainer, Jimmy Normoyle. The daughter of Mafi Magic-Tyrur Rhinanna made it three wins in a row when scoring a narrow win in an S6/S7-graded sprint race. Unknown Buzz , the money-on favourite, in trap four, and Scotish Deal in five were first to break and they were followed by Florys Fabulous (trap six) as they headed to the first bend. At the bend, Scotish Deal managed to get in front to lead by two lengths, with Ring Twice starting to close in. As they made their way up the straight, the wide-running Ring Twice came closer and closer and at the she line managed to squeze in front to win by a neck in 19.58. In the very tight finish, Unknown Buzz was beaten a neck into third place.

Also making a habit of winning at the College Road is Dunsallagh Pride, owned and trained by Sean Hehir, Dunsallagh, Miltown Malbay. He went off the even-money favourite from trap two for an S3-graded sprint last Saturday night. The son of Droopys Scolari-Dunsallagh Lucy came away fast, with Cabriol Prancer in three but soon upped the pace to go three lengths clear at the first bend. Once in front, there was no stopping Dunsallagh Prise, who galloped on for a fine five lengths win in 19.20 and for his eight career win at this venue.

The runner-up was Feed Me Cherrys, owned by Kim Knell, Mountshannon.

Patrick Conlon kept West Clare on the map, his Milesian Story winning the next race on the card, an A4-graded 525. Showing good early foot from trap three, the daughter of Climate Control-Milesian Magic got off to a lively start to lead at the first bend by two lengths from the inside runner, Barebersfolrt Bobo. At the third bend, the field started to close in but they got in each other’s way and Milesian Story stayed on to to win by nearly three lengths in a time of 29.22 for her third career win. Mountshannon owner, Kim Knell was again runner-up in this race, with Feed Me Oysters.

The seventh and final Clare win of the night went to the Sixmilebridge-owned and trained Mad For Money in the final race of the night, an A3-graded 525. Prominent from the start were Kilbannon Bertie, in trap one, and Bumblebee Ruki, in six, with the former leading round the first bend and extending his lead to four lengths down the back. Mad For Money, trained by Bernard Coffey for John Whelan, was now making up ground from the back of the field and as they came to the home turn, he had come to within a length of the leader. In a nailbiting finish, Mad ForMoney (Hondo Black- Money Go Lucky) got up to win by a neck in 29.42. It was his sixth time in the winner’s enclosure.

Seven qualifiers for Twitter A5

Seven Clare-owned runners will contest second-round heats of the Facebook and Twitter Pages A5 525 Stake in Galway this weekend. They qualified from first round heats last Friday night.

Feed Me Bubbly, owned in Mountshannon by Kim Knell, was third in the opening heat, won in 29.39 by Buddhas Boy, from Drumhill Star.

Killuran Lad, owned by Donal Cooney, Broadford, led the way in heat two from the Pat Guilfoyle-trained Gurrane Princess and Colie O’Loughlin’s Pal Ruso. Gurrane Princess (Black Shaw-Hawthorn Lily) moved up on the inside of Killuran Lad to challenge for the lead as they moved down the back and as they exited the back straight Gurrane Princess was now the new leader and went on to score a 29.06 win and in the process beat Killuran Lad into second place by eight and a quarter lengths. Third spot went to Art Therapy.

The Gort-owned and trained, Chocolate Soldier (Westmead Hawk-Wicked Marita) was first to cross the line in heat three. At the second bend, Randy Lark and Snuggie Jack led Mine Raven and on the crown of the bend they all got in each other’s way, allowing the Eleanor Mullins and Bernie Curtin-owned Chocolate Soldier (trap two) to slip through on the rail and take command towards halfway. Trained by Noel Mullins, the brindled extended his advantage to win by almost seven lengths in a time of 29.39. Runner-up was was Snuggie Jack (Myles Cummins, Newmarket-on-Fergus) and third home was Mine Raven (Frank Browne, Quin).

County Wexford owner, Liam Butler, won the final heat with his reserve runner, Amy Be Slick (Kinloch Brae-Slick Mona) in trap one. She made all the running to beat Denny And Donie by four lengths in 29.65. The runner-up is trained by Donie Duggan for Denis Torpey, Clarecastle. A qualifier in third place was another reserve runner, Knockdine Dazl, owned in Miltown Malbay by Helen O’Brien.

The feature race of the night, the A0/A1-graded 550, was won by the Tuam-owned Tyrur Latoyta in 30.49 from Cloonrooske Blue.

Third in the chief supporting race, the 3-graded 575, was Glasheen Sally, owned by Brendan Browne, Kilkee. Hanover Dennie was the 31.85 winner.

Leading from the second bend, Jumeriah Murry won the opening A4-graded 525 by over six lengths in 29.09 from Mine Moment, owned in Quin by Frank Browne.

Kilmihil owners Tom Keane and Martin J Keane were represented in the the next race, an N2/N3-graded 525 with Glynnscross Maya (Droopys Maldini-Glynnscross Scot), in trap two, and Work Ethic in three. Railing well and chasing Work Ethic, at the opening bend, Tom Keane’s black bitch, Glynnscross Maya, hit the front at the third bend and finished strongly to register a three and a half lengths win in 29.41 from Martin Keane’s Work Ethic.

A Fundraising Made Easy S5-graded sprint produced a close finish, with Mine Chanelle just getting the verdict for Frank Browne, Quin. River Boss, in trap six, Constejack, in two, and Mine Chanelle, in three, were best away and as they came to the opening bend, Mine Chanelle took the lead from the wide-running River Boss as Constejack ran right off the bend. It was a battle between  Mine Chanelle(Slip The Lark-Mine Cash) and River Boss up the straight, with the Quin-owned black and white bitch just geting there by a head in 19.65.
Well-known West Clare owner PJ O’Halloran made a welcome return to the winner’s arena with his Moyvana Cross (trap three) winning an A7-graded 525.

The trap five runner, Tomars Jamie, looked good in the early stages and apppeared to be on his way to an easy win. However, the chasing pack started to close in over the final two bends, with Bumblebee Rosie (trap one) leading the charge. However, Moyvana Cross was making ground on the inside and switching wide to make her challenge, the daughter of Ballymac Ruso-Wood Sweet got in front close to home to win by a length and a half in 29.98 from Tomars Jamie.

A Long double in Galway

Clifden-based trainer, Albert Long, a native of Ballyea, enjoyed a double with Miltown Malbay-owned Knockdine Vic was runner-up in the featured race , the Deal a Month Stake semi-final at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium last Thursday night.

The final of Thursday night’s A6 525 was the feature race and first away was trap four runner Solamgundi (Hondo Black- Semolina) who led from Knockdine Holly in three and Castlegar Lass in one. As they rounded the second bend, the leader cut towards the rail, forcing Knockdine Holly to check and this allowed Solamagundi to extend her advantage to four lengths at halfway.

The Loughrea-owned black bitch could afford to swing wide off the home bend and still win by five lengths from Knockdine Holly, owned by Helen O’ Brien, Miltown Malbay, in 29.16 . Third spot went to the Gerard Burke-trained Drive It, owned by Brendan Spelman, Knocknacarra.

Albert Long had the first part of his double in the opening race, an A6-graded 525, with Brickhill Alonso, owned by the Bogey Boys syndicate, sweeping in front from the home bend to land a six and a half lengths win in 29.29 from Coopers Choice. Third place was filled by Wood Pistol, owned by Art Maguire and Tom Cambridge, Kilrush.

Double Octave (Bexhill Eoin-Jessie Jane), owned in Kilmihil by Martin J Keane and Conor Daly, gave Albert Long the second part of his double. This was in the third race, an S6-graded sprint, which saw the Nenagh-owned Glencrue Breeze set the pace from trap two but Double Octave was the front runner after the opening bend and stayed in front to win by a length and three quarters in 19.35 from Boherash Torpedo, owned by Frank Casey. Stonehall. Third went to Wilbrook Dame, owned in Ennistymon by Michael Davoren.

A great finish by the West Clare-owned Glynnscross Mol (Niamh and Orla Keane, Kilmihil) just failed in an S9-graded sprint when beaten a neck by Caislean Bean, the 19.57 winner.

Third home in an N2-graded 525 was Kinielty Star, owned in Liscannor by Declan McDonagh. First to show was the trap four runner Wicky Red and with trouble behind, both Wicky Red and the inside runner, Spioraid Erin, went clear rounding the opening bend. Down the back Spioraid Erin (Crash-Spioraid Cath) moved to the front along the inside and gradually drew clear to win by five and a quarter lengths from Wicky Red, with Kinielty Star three lengths further back. The winner’s clock was 29.24.

There was an all-Clare finish to the opening semi-final heat of the Deal Of The Month A4 525 . All six runners were covered by less than two lengths as they made their way to the opening bend, with the Ennis-owned Cahercalla Risk (Scarty Lad-Risk Everything) just in front. The black extended his lead to three lengths down the back, with Knockdine Zac trying to close the gap.

However, Cahercalla Risk was not to be denied and returned to winning ways for Ennis owners Sean J Heeney and Tony Quinn, with a length and three quarters to spare at the line from Mr Consistent, owned by Tom Flanagan from Ennistymon, who beat Knockdine Zac (Helen O’Brien, Miltown Malbay) by a neck into third place. The winner’s time was 29.33.

French Blaze, in trap six, set the pace in the second semi-final heat but was joined by the trap four runner Willrose Cheetah (Burnpark Champ-McHugh Sonia) rounding the bend with Micks Scolari.

The Castlegar-owned Willrose Cheetah led Mickys Scolari by a length down the back and stayed on well to win by a length and three-quarters from Mickys Scolari, trained by Maurice Mullaney from near Gort for the Grow Up Fast syndicate. Third home was Lughill Amber. The time was 29.30.

Third placed in an A7-graded 525 was Callura Warhawk, owned in Ennistymon by PJ Reynolds and Joe Considine. The 29.19 winner was Tubbercurry Ruby.