RED-HOT ENTRY AT CLONMEL AS NATIONAL PRODUCE STAKES GETS UNDERWAY

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by The Thatch Bar & Restaurant, Lisselton, Co. Kerry, the opening round heats of the 2023 National Produce Stakes get underway tonight at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and the prestigious Classic has been brilliantly received with eleven top-class heats down for decision.

The standout entry of the sixty-six is the reigning Con & Annie Kirby winner, Clonbrien Treaty, and he should safely advance into next week’s second round when he dons the striped jacket in heat three. Trained by Graham Holland for James and Muireann Murphy, the son of Pestana was sensational during his time at Limerick and looks certain to relish the Suirside circuit given his explosive early pace. Of his rivals in heat three, Ower Mystery should give him most to think about for Pat Buckley, who will be hoping to seal back-to-back Produce Stakes after Gaston Pecas landed the 2022 running of the Classic.

REX TO ASSERT

The Classic will get off to a flier in heat one, which is the pick of the heats, as the likes of Bens Teddy, Belindas Finn and Ballyhimikin Rex all lock horns.

As the norm, Graham Holland brings a hugely talented team to Clonmel and Ballyhimikin Rex, the current Champion 550 winner, looks likely to go deep into the competition. He will renew his rivalry with Bens Teddy later tonight and he gets the nod to come out on top once again. The son of Ballyhimikin Jet, owned by Billy and John Dunne has big early speed, something which will pay dividends in Clonmel. Drawn in five, he gets the vote to get first run on his rivals and make it back-to-back wins. Bens Teddy is the obvious threat. One of the fastest in training from the second turn, Kim Pritchard’s tracker will be very difficult to keep out of the frame and has a good draw in three to go close. Of the remainder, Belindas Finn has a big engine and looks on the cusp of a huge run. Drawn in trap one tonight, a fast start will see him enter calculations.

HEAT WATCH

In heat two, Good Zeus can get him Produce Stakes campaign off to a winning start. John Kennedy’s runner has some brilliant clocks to his name already and he should prove a class above from a suitable draw in trap four. Of his rivals, Droopys Alyssa looks the most likely to run the favourite close.

Heat four is an open affair but the vote goes to the Robert Gleeson-trained Optic Chico in trap five. The son of Droopys Sydney produced some sensational clocks down in Enniscorthy and should he reproduce his 28.55 .20s effort from the Wexford venue, he should race to relatively comfortable victory. The likes of Swords Fudge, Splendid Janey and Unreal Bruiser all warrant respect. 

Borna Mick outlined his incredible engine on several occasions at Clonmel in early April and he is selected to get his campaign off to a flier in heat five. Owned by the Borna-Syndicate, his 29.76 .10s effort for the 550-yards at Clonmel is particular eye-catching and he also looks well-drawn in trap one. His main rivals include Sober Glory, who finished third in the Champion 550 last time out, while Cree Jo Jo showed enough at Limerick to suggest he has plenty to offer.

Heat six is certain to split opinion with many boasting strong claims. The likes of Kapuka Warrior and Laughil Rocky really impressive on their last outings at Kilkenny and Shelbourne respectively, however, it is Burgess Bolger who gets the slender nod. The son of Ballymac Bolger posted a sensational 28.23 during the Kirby and although out of luck in recent starts, he looks sure to go close in this contest.

Gaytime Hugo was one of the breakaway stars of this year’s Con & Annie Kirby and he gets the vote to reverse form with Pape Di Oro this time around. Graham Holland’s tracker posted 28.09 down in Limerick and he looks well drawn in trap one to gain a clear passage on his debut at Clonmel. Pape Di Oro is the obvious threat. The Pat Buckley-trained runner has brilliant gears and looks tailor made for Clonmel given his early speed. Drawn in six, this won’t cause an issue to Pape Di Oro and it could make for fascinating viewing should the duo both turn close. Others of interest are Seven Beach, who shows huge promise at Kilkenny, while Riverside Bocko is also worthy of much respect in one of the hottest heats on the card.

Graham Holland is triple handed in heat eight with Chasing Trooper, Romeo Hotshot and Hovex Tommy all lining out, the latter for which is the likely favourite. A Kirby finalist, the son of Laughil Blake has a little bit of everything and his recent 17.59 spin around Cork points to his wellbeing. Run Faster is another with prospects. The most experienced runner in the line-up, Owen McKenna’s runner can go up fast and will take some stopping if leading early.

Romeo Atomic is returning from a stint in Towcester and looks likely to take a bit of stopping in heat nine. Another of the Holland team, Dave Firmager’s son of Romeo Recruit had some smashing Kilkenny prior to going across the water and looks very well-drawn in one to give a good account of himself tonight. His rivals include the very talented Commons Rebel, who arrives with strong Youghal form, while the likes of Burgess Senorita and Canya Dream also hold claims.

It could prove to be a very fruitful night for the Champion trainer as he also sends out Jacktavern Bolt in heat ten. Owned by the Pillar-Syndicate, the son of Pestana comes into this stake with just the three starts under his belt but he has already shown his abilities, posting sub 29-second runs around the tough Kilkenny circuit. Of his rivals, it is the Paraic Campion-trained Splendid Fellow who can give him most to think about in trap two.

We may have to wait until the final heat of the night, but Bogger Lucky could produce the perfect ending to round one. Recently purchased by Kenny Glen, this greyhound has incredible early speed and Clonmel should prove to be right up his street. Drawn in five, expect a big run from Bogger Lucky, despite this being his first start since late April. Of his rivals, Swizz Star looks to have plenty to offer for Pat Guilfoyle in six, while Ardfert Markie is fresh off a sizzling 18.57 trial around HQ. Based on that, he can certainly get involved from a favourable draw in trap two. Another to keep an eye on is Burgess Supreme, who move very well down in Enniscorthy.