MASSIVE CROWDS COME OUT TO SUPPORT CORK CAMOGIE STARS AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
Curraheen Park was buzzing on Saturday night as the crowds came out in force to support a major fundraising night for the Cork Camogie.
On the track, the racing was fantastic with a number of high-class performances.
In the opening round of the Elite Construction 575, it was Droopys Onestop who returned to top form for owner Sean Dunphy and trainer John Linehan. The 6-4 winner showed nice pace into the opening corner before kicking clear on the back straight and the talented performer came home with eight lengths to spare over Burgess Anne, in 31.02.
It was a quick double for the Johnny Linehan team as Eazy Razzle proved a class apart in the second heat for owner Barry Rocks. The 4-6 favourite hit the front at the opening bend and she powered to a really impressive 30.74 winning performance. Tuono Charlie was three and a half lengths back in second.
In the third heat, Gaytime Hugo delivered a powerful performance to win for owner Stephanie O'Connell and trainer Graham Holland. In control early on, the 4-6 favourite sent punters home happy with a super strong display. Churchtown Syd was five lengths back in second, in 30.73.
Dalcash Dapper recorded three straight wins in the A3 Tri Distance as the 4-6 favourite produced another classy performance in the 575 for Michael Doyle Jnr and Tom Doyle, winning the €2,000 prize in great style. In front early on, Dalcash Dapper always looked good up front and she displayed plenty of all-round pace to fend off the running on Subtle Jill, by a length, in 31.34.
Grouchos Vic was another to complete a hat trick of straight successes with a stunning performance in the €1,500 A0 Mini Final. In the ownership of David Carroll and Luke O'Connell, the 4-5 favourite came away racing and in truth, it was game over after a couple of strides. Another high-class display, clocking 28.23 and coming home four lengths clear of the running on Millridge Nadia.
Noel Casey's Carrigoon Mia displayed smashing early pace when landing the opener, an A1, in a stunning 28.42, at odds of 2-1.
In the third, an A1, Star Molly broke her maiden status in style as the 6-4 favourite showed plenty of pace throughout to win, in 28.44, for Patrick Everard.
In the following race, the Open Sprint, it was Glory Baz who came out on top when winning for trainer Graham Holland and owners Sheila Duncan and Peter McMunn. The 2-1 winner showed bundles of pace to win, in 17.78.
Graham Holland enjoyed a treble on the night and Romeo Kingpin was the second of those winners when scoring for owner David Firmager. The January youngster is improving all the time and 6-4 favourite ran out a fine winner, posting 28.23 and coming home three lengths clear of the fast-finishing Unmatched.
It really was a night to remember and it was fantastic to see all the camogie stars at Curraheen Park. We wish them continued success going forward. It's also worth mentioning that all races carried a minimum winner’s prize of €1,000 with a huge thanks going to Greyhound Racing Ireland for supporting.