PLENTY OF SHOCKS IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE GREYHOUND & PETWORLD SUPERSPRINT
Barry Drake
Barnfield Pirate made it four straight wins in the opening round of the Greyhound & Petworld Supersprint at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
Trained by John Kiely for owner Tomas Leahy, the 5-2 shot displayed impressive early dash to quickly take control and the in-form winner went on to beat Super Hit Man, by four and a half lengths, in 17.67. A length and a half back to Parkgate Angel in third place.
ANOTHER TO CLOCK 17.67
Echo Zulu was another to clock 17.67 after winning by a wide margin for trainer Michael O'Donovan and owners Basil and Bernadette Holian.
The 4-5 favourite had caught the eye in defeat last week and he made no mistake this time around with a smart front-running display. Coolanorans Best was seven lengths back in second with a further half a length back to Hawkfield Ava in third.
DEFENDING CHAMPION IS OUT
The opening heat was a messy affair and defending champion Gizmo Cash was early in trouble.
It was Wilderness Hades who landed the spoils for Declan Drohan. The 5-1 shot ran out a fine winner in 18.04. Fire Height Mal was next best, a length and a half behind, with a short head back to Spurge in third.
LOCAL RAIDER ON SONG
Hilight Minella took the final heat for David and Patrick Walsh.
The 5-1 shot made the most of the drop-in trip with a stunning performance. Showing bundles of early speed, the classy winner clocked 17.72, three and a half lengths clear of Skips Honisuckle. Hot favourite Flashing Willow a length behind the runner-up in third.
IN OTHER RACES
In association with the Curraheen Park Track Supporters Club, Quiet Dolly found her trapping boots when winning the Brendan O'Connell A4 525 for owners Kevin Curtin and Tony O'Sullivan. A career-best performance from the May youngster to win easily, in 29.07.
Winner of the Brendan O Connell ( Glanmire) and Curraheen Park Supporters Club race was the Kevin Curtin/ Tony O Sullivan owned Quite Dolly.
In the second of the night, the Dillon Quirke Foundation Mini Open, it was Coosey Hall who came home in front for trainer James Kelleher and owners the Castlegrounds-Syndicate. The 4-5 market leader won the all-important early lead and the strong running tracker went on to win, in 28.69, two lengths clear of Shonas Marshall.
The final of the €1,100 Galloping Kennels ON3 Stake went the way of Kilane Zara for Patsy O'Sullivan and John O'Rourke. The 5-2 winner turned in a handy position and the August puppy had too much firepower in the second half of the race. Aghadown Benny three lengths back in second.
The final of the €1,400 Galloping Kennels produced a fantastic winner in the shape of Away Jazz for the C & C Partnership. Unbeaten in all three rounds, the May youngster, a 1-2 favourite, delivered another superb display to make all the running, in 28.96. Three lengths back to Gravy Train in second.
In the 11th of the night, Aherla Leo delivered the performance of the night over the standard trip. Jerome Crowley's dog flew to the corner, showing massive pace up front, and he pulled right away to win in style. A fantastic display to win easily, in 28.46, at odds of 2-1.
Racing concluded with a winning performance for Cluain Rapid. Owned by Daniel and Tom Cronin, the 6-4 winner was making it two wins from his last three outings around Curraheen Park. Pulling out all the stops to win in 31.35. (575).