MASSIE ROMPS TO TR-DISTANCE FEATURE AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There was a handsome €1,900 prize up for grabs on Easter Sunday at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as the final of the Bow Meow Pet Luxury Hotel Tri-Distance took centre stage and it was Motown Massie who sprung a surprise as she landed the feature at odds of 5/1.

Owned by Christy Fitzpatrick, Motown Massie is indeed a full sister to the likes of Callaway Pro Am and Bogger Hunter and she herself is rarely out of the frame when taking to the track. Despite her 5/1 starting price last night, the well-made lady had shown loads of promise in previous starts and certainly was no forlorn hope heading into the decider. Running from trap six, Motown Massie set her stall out early as she pinged from the stripes to comfortably lead Bouncing Lad into the opening corner. From here, the daughter of Skywalker Farloe and Bottle Of Banter was never under serious pressure as she held a two length advantage over Bouncing Lad heading into the penultimate turn. Steering a wide course around the bottom two bends, Motown Massie continued to set a powerful gallop and she was to prove a class above her rivals as she stayed on strong to claim an extending six length victory over Bouncing Lad in second. The time was a rapid 31.56 .10s for the 575-yard trip and many congratulations are extended to the winning connections.

HASN’T A BOB QUICKEST IN O’DORNAN MEMORIAL

Elsewhere on the card, the eight first round heats of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial Guys & Dolls also got underway and the quickest winner came in the concluding heat with Flaminhasntabob running to a virtual solo.

Running for the Two-Laois-Four-Kilkenny syndicate, Flaminhasntabob was a fine winner of her last start at Kilkenny and she was well-supported as the 4/6 favourite last night. Fast away from trap two, the daughter of Magical Bale and Knocknadogue Jan disputed early on with Circus Storm but the inside line proved crucial in holding a healthy lead rounding the opener. From here, it was all one-way traffic for Flaminhasntabob as she sauntered to a seven length victory over Cooladerry Arioa in second. The time was 28.93 .10s.

BYRNE DOUBLE

Waterford trained Declan Byrne sent out a double in the heats as both Malachi Dream and Whiteys Fullback landed their respective heats.

The first to pass the post in front came in heat one as Malachi Dream won for his joint owners Pat Morrissey and Fred Mackay. A July 21’ whelp, the son of Malachi and Hillview Kayla was sent off as the 6/4 favourite but he was only moderately into stride from red. Tracking Onward Route into the back straight, Malachi Dream quickly ranged alongside and he stormed past the early pacesetter prior to the penultimate turn. From here, it was a case of how far Byrne's charge flew to a seven length victory, in a time of 29.00 .10s.

Whiteys Fullback completed the double in heat four as Catherine Tuohy’s runner also won comfortably. Running from trap five, the 7/4 favourite showed a lovely turn of early dash to storm past Flashy Farloe on the run to the opener. Once in front, the son of Pestana and Whiteys Jewel was never under serious pressure as he tracked brilliantly to cross the line with three and a half lengths in hand over Brynoffa Sydney in second. The time was 29.15 .10s.