JET GIVES THEM THE SLIP AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

Another bumper crowd packed into Lifford Greyhound Stadium last night as the track hosted a seven race program and it was Slipalong Jet who stole the show with an exceptional performance in the Open 325.

Owned by Brendan Duffy, Slipalong Jet had caught the eye when finishing a good third to track record breaker, Corbrack Prince, last time out and as such, he was installed as the even money favourite to bounce back to winning ways. Running from trap four, the son of Droopys Sydney and Slipalong Sinead was on the receiving end of a ping break and he narrowly headed Mustang Flight in the opening yards. However, Slipalong Jet found another gear at this point and he galloped clear of his rival to swing the opening corner in control. From here, it proved a straightforward night’s work for Slipalong Jet as the powerful black blitzed his rivals to cross the line with four and a half lengths in hand. The time was a super 17.41, just .11s outside of Corbrack Prince’s track record.

TOOLBOX TALKS THE TALK

Aside from the brilliant performance from Slipalong Jet, there was another performance of note over the two-bend trip as Toolbox Talk justified his 4/6 starting odds in race four.

Owned and trained by local handler Cathal McGhee, Toolbox Talk had been keeping company with some very smart speedsters of late but he took full advantage of what looked an ease in grade to win comfortably. Drawn in four, Toolbox Talk broke smartly and he paced up best of all to post a slick 4.33 sectional. Holding a clear advantage from MIdas Beauty in second, the son of Ardnasool Jet and Finulagh Limini stayed out stoutly up the Lifford straight to cross the line with four lengths in hand over Midas Beauty in second. The time was a rapid 17.56.

TWO ON THE SPIN FOR JOHNNY

In terms of the standard trip, the run of the night came in the concluding race as Da Great Johnny made it back-to-back wins at the North-West venue.

A greyhound who is clearly enjoying his surroundings at Lifford, few have taken to the track as well as Da Great Johnny since its opening and after landing an A5 event last time out, he stepped up to A2/A3 company with relative ease. Owned by Brendan McLaughlin of Derry, Da Great Johnny took another flier from trap one and he defended the rails brilliantly to lead into the back straight from Dungannon Gold in second. The latter made brisk inroads midway down the back, however, Da Great Johnny is an astute stayer and victory was never in doubt. Pulling clear in the closing yards, the son of Vulturi and Culdaff Lady romped to a five and a half length success, in a time of 29.07.