Melody’s Diamond continues to sparkle

THE unbeaten Melody’s Diamond continues to dominate the Roche’s Feeds Oaks at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium.
Posting the fatest time for the third weekend in-a-row, the Declan Byrne-trained son of Royal Impact-Talita Beauty was drawn in trap four in the first semi-final heat last Saturday night. However, unlike in her earlier heats, she was crowded out at the opening bend and was fourth behind Dooey Cranky down the far side. Trap-one runner, Locnamon Bridie had gone in front by the third bend but the brilliant Melody’s Diamond chased her and in a great finish won by a short head in 28.42 for owners Pat Ciollins and Patsy Byrne, Ballylongford.
The runner-up was Locnamon Bride and third home was Dooey Cranky, three lengths back. The fine effort by Ocean Maeve, owned by Tom Fitzgerald, Parteen, ended in the second semi-final heat. Although leading at the second bend and two lengths in front going down the back, she was bumped at the third and failed to finish among the first three home. In another thrilling race, Landscape made up ground to lead at the third followed by Ballymartin Wok. In a great finish, the Castletown-owned Landscape (Droopy’s Scolari-Glenadda Beauty) won the race by a length from Ballkymartin Wok with a clock of 28.69. Six lengths back for third place was Veranda.
Trap draw for the final on Saturday night is 1. Locnamon Bride; 2. Dooey Cranky; 3. Ballyhmartin Wok; 4. Melodys Diamond; 5. Veranda; 6. Landscape.
Challenging well from the third and home bends, the Michael Downes-trained Dicks Worldbound was runner-up to the Hidden Jester, the fast 28.82 and half length winner of an A1/A2 graded 525.
Third in their races in Limerick on Friday night were Inislosky Jacko and Inislosky Wad, both owned by Mary Crotty, O’Briensbridge and Portroe Criac, trained by Nicola Downes for Edward Ryan, Ballykeeffe.
The final of the Roche’s Feeds Oaks – €5,000 and trophy to the winner – will be the main race in Limerick on Saturday night. The meeting will be a  fundraiser in aid of Bruff Community Playground. Also on the card will be the final of the Johnny Waters Memorial A5 Novice D2 750 with €450 and trophy to the winner.
The Friday night card in Limerick will include two semi-finals of the Race Sponsorship@ Limerick A3 575 with €750 and a trophy for the winner.