ROCKET BLAKE STARS IN CALLAWAY PRO AM OPENER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
There was a competitive card on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the opening round heats of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud A3 600 took place, as well as the opening round heats of the Limerick & Clare GOBA 525.
Kindly sponsored by Denis Murphy, the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud was the first stake to get underway on what was a twelve race card and of the three heats on offer, the standard was set in terrific style by Rocket Blake. Owned by Sean Hayes and Gordon Vaughan, the September 21’ whelp was amazingly without a win since June of this year but he soon righted that particular wrong with a terrific trap-to-line display. Running from trap five, the son of Laughil Blake and Droopys Dream set his stall out early when showing brilliant early speed, fully appreciating the long run to the opening turn. Showing excellent dash down the back, ‘Blake’ drew clear of his rivals thereafter and he stayed every inch of the 600-yard trip to win by a comfortable, six lengths. Thats It Caoimhe claiming second with Lone Myra in third, the time was a slick 32.91.
GLENGAR BREAKS MAIDEN TAG
Next best came in heat two as the supremely bred Glengar Brett claimed a first career win for Cormac and Geroid Doyle.
Understandably installed at odds of 4/5, the Pat Buckley-trained charge got loose for the first time in nine starts as he broke well from trap six to show a decent turn of early speed out wide. Once in front, there was never any doubt of the son of Brett Lee and Droopys Smasher being reeled in. Ballymartin Rory set off in chase as he turned in second, however, Glengar Brett was full of running out in front and he stayed on stoutly to record a five length victory over the staying-on, Blackbell Beauty, in second. The time was 33.10.
MALACHI SCORES
The remaining heat, heat one, was landed by the Mary Lynch-owned Bright Malachi as he doubled his career tally in his first start at Limerick.
Arriving with some respectable form around Cork, Bright Malachi (Malachi - Bright Bee) was a 7/2 chance at the off and he looked in a spot of trouble early on as the favourite, Carrigmore Jolly, showed first from two. However, after an opening round bump ended her chances, Bright Malachi was left in charge at the second turn and he was to show fine determination to see off the strong challenge of Allstar Xola late on. Crossing the line one and a half lengths clear of his rival, the time was 33.57.
WE GETS IT
In the opening round of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2/A3 525, it was We Got This who set the standard for Amanda Meade and Sean Roche.
Bidding to double his career tally after victory at Clonmel in October, We Got This was the 3/1 second favourite heading into heat three but it proved a straightforward task for the son of Droopys Buick as he made every yard of the running. Drawn in four, We Got This broke best of all from his middle berth and he immediately excelled to take a one length lead into the opener. Quickly doubling his advantage, he was never under threat as he cantered to a five length victory over De Monkey in second. The time was 28.66.
HEAT WATCH
Next best in respect of the clock was Skirk Gem in the final heat of the night. The 2/1 second favourite, owned by Christopher Delaney, took an absolute flier from trap six and he soon developed a three length lead entering the back straight. In second was Tyrap Finn and he kept the leader honest throughout, however, he was never able to get on terms with the impressive son of Droopys Sydney and Oldburrin Diva. A solid three and a half lengths clear crossing the line, the time was 28.83.
Just one spot slower than the final heat was Valleymount Alf in the second heat as he justified favouritism for owner Ted Curtin. The 6/4 jolly, the son of Ballymac Best was a fine winner on his last outing and he was to continue that purple patch with another comprehensive victory. Running from trap four, ‘Alf’ quickly took control in the early yards and continued to set a pace that his rivals simply could not answer. Crossing the line over seven lengths clear of Drumgeely Jim in second, the time was 28.84.
The remaining heat of the night was landed by Tally Ho Storm, who came from off-the-pace for the Walls-of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate. Only a February puppy, this fellow normally dictates from the off but he was forced to play second fiddle to Rathnasare Dream on this occasion. However, showing a fine turn of early dash to get into contention, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Tally Ho Dawn railed like a cat before storming up the inside to win by one and a half lengths. A nice display, the time was 29.09 for the 2/1 chance.