FINN SETS A HIGH BAR IN PRODUCE STAKES OPENER AT CLONMEL
Peter Farrell
The opening round of the Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce Stakes got underway at Clonmel greyhound stadium last night and patrons were treated to a real feast with several superb performances on display.
Early indications in this year’s Classic renewal is that it will certainly take a bit of winning with the calibre of greyhound once again sky high. On the night, several trainers picked up multiple winners but the standard was set by the incredibly talented Belindas Finn.
Trained by Michael O’Donovan, Belindas Finn had been knocking on the door in terms of producing a top-class display and he certainly got things right in heat one, a contest that also included the likes of Bens Teddy and Ballyhimikin Rex. Running from trap one, Belindas Finn got off to a fast start and he raced up the rail to lead around the opening corner. Running a super bend, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Slaneyside Misty, owned by John O’Brien, drew clear thereafter as he stretched out majestically to record a facile nine and a half length victory. Hakum ran a fine race to finish strongly in second, while Bens Teddy could only manage third, a further short-head back. The time was a fantastic 28.22 .10s.
SOBER NEXT BEST
Next best in terms of the clock came in heat five as Sober Glory produced a red-hot display for trainer Karol Ramsbottom.
Owned by Sean Malone, the Champion 550 third was led early doors by Ballinakill Alf and it was the latter who proceeded to set a strong gallop into the back straight. However, a potent threat throughout, Sober Glory made his move entering the penultimate bend and from here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan drew clear to win by five and a half lengths. Borna Mick caught the eye with a fast finish in second, as the time returned a swift 28.30 .10s.
BUCKLEY HAT-TRICK
The standout trainer on the night was Pat Buckley as he sent out no fewer than three heat winners.
The first of the kennel trio to cross the line in front was Ower Mystery as he turned over the Kirby champion, Clonbrien Treaty. Off to a fast start from trap two, Ower Mystery excelled into the opening corner and in truth, there was never any doubt about the result thereafter. Owned by A.G Harvey, the son of Droopys Sydney and Nice Mystery maintained his relentless gallop and was five and a half lengths too strong for Clonbrien Treaty, who could only manage second. The time was 28.63 .10s.
Pape Di Oro was next to double up for Pat Buckley and this hugely talented tracker made light work of his opposition. Owned by Javier Jarne, this contest had the look of a two-dog affair with Gaytime Hugo also expected to figure based on his Limerick form. In reality, however, Pape Di Oro ran to a virtual solo. Coming away fast wearing the stripes, the son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile never saw another tail and had a comfortable six lengths in hand over Gaytime Hugo crossing the line. The time was 28.49 .10s.
De Gander Pen followed suit in heat eight as he romped to wide-margin victory for the Ore-Yont-Syndicate. Only an October puppy, he looked impressive last time out at Clonmel and he upped the ante last night with an emphatic win. Running from trap two, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton sharpened up at boxes with a flash start and he held an already clear advantage early on. Drawing clear thereafter, he crossed the line with some fourteen lengths in hand over Run Faster in second. The time was 28.64 .10s.
HEAT WATCH
Another trainer who enjoyed a fruitful night at Clonmel was Robert Gleeson as it was Droopys Ailsa (Loughteen Blanco - Droopys Berry) who got his double off to the best possible start. Owned by Paul Allen, this bitch is running brilliantly at present and she came home one and a half lengths ahead of Nellys Dinner to record fourth win from her last five starts. The time was 28.90 .10s.
Despite the performance of Droopys Ailsa, the standout winner for Robert Gleeson was his exciting puppy, Optic Chico, who landed heat four. A winner on debut in 28.50 at Enniscorthy, he had to bide his time as Swords Fudge took charge at the second bend. However, jointly owned by Richard Vereker and Paul Allen, the son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess challenged at the fourth and never looked back thereafter. Staying on well to record a one length victory over Swords Fudge, the time was a hot 28.51 .10s.
Heat six saw the Murt Leahy-trained Storys Law get back to winning ways. Jointly owned by Gavin O’Mahony and Peter McMunn, this greyhound is a tough nut to crack when in front and so this proved as he showed the best of the early pace to lead from trap two. From here, the son of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Berry, a brother to Droopys Ailsa, stayed on stoutly to hold Rural Bocko by one length. The time was 28.63 .10s.
Paraic Campion was next to strike in heat nine as Burgess Canon led home a one two for the litter of Droopys Sydney and Burgess Helena. Owned by Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly, this greyhound showed a lovely turn of foot as he took control at the second bend. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, he was two and half lengths too strong for Burgess Senorita, in a time of 28.76 .10s.
Incredibly, Graham Holland had to wait until the penultimate heat of the night to notch his first winner as Jacktavern Bolt scored for the Pillar-syndicate. In what proved a closely run affair, the son of Pestana and Newinn Madam saw off Hot Madam by half a length, in a time of 28.74 .10s.
The ‘Burgess’ prefix was back in the winners enclosure in the concluding heat of the night as Burgess Supreme doubled his career tally to two wins. Again owned by Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly, the son of Burgess Bucks and Burgess Dancer ran out a two and a half length winner over Blue Matilda in second. The time was 28.74 .10s.