TEMPERATURES TO RISE AS PRODUCE STAKES ACTION CONTINUES AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The opening round of the Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce Stakes delivered in abundance last Friday night at Clonmel greyhound stadium and with the Classic now cut to thirty-six runners, the action is certain to be ramped up a notch with six top-class heats on offer.

The standard was set in incredible fashion last weekend by the hugely talented Belindas Finn and the Michael O’Donovan-trained charge is penciled in to run in heat two this evening, with the likes of Bens Teddy re-opposing. Owned by John O’Brien, Belindas Finn put his exceptional engine on full display in the opening heat last Friday night as he delivered a performance which he had been threatening to deliver for some time now. Drawn in trap two, the blue son of Ballymac Bolger should have too much early pace for Bens Teddy, who is drawn immediately inside in one, and he looks a safe bet to make it back-to-back victories in the Classic. The aforementioned Bens Teddy is the obvious danger once again. Without doubt one of the fastest in training from the second turn, the Pat Buckley-trained charge may well be tapped for a bit of early gear, however, he cannot be dismissed. Well housed in trap one, he only needs to turn handy to emerge as a likely winner come the business end.

A LOOK AT THE HEATS

In the opening heat, Clonbrien Treaty should return to winning ways. The Kirby champ, trained by Graham Holland, looked rusty last Friday night but will have taken a lot away from that outing and will be fancied to bounce back from trap six. He faces no slouches however, and the likes of Droopys Ailsa, Jacktavern Bolt and Swords Fudge will all fancy themselves to prevail. Throw in Storys Law, who landed his first round assignment in good style, and this ranks as one of the standout second round heats.

Sober Glory wasn’t too far behind Belindas Finn in terms of the clock last weekend and he should prove too hot to handle in heat three. Trained by Karol Ramsbottom, the son of Droopys Sydney has really taken the bit between his teeth in recent weeks and is perfectly drawn in trap one to score in emphatic fashion. Of his rivals, all boast equal chances of making the frame, however, it is Hot Magic who gets the vote to make life most difficult for the jolly given his slick 2.79 sectional last time out.

Heat four is another standout heat with the likes of Borna Mick, Run Faster and Ower Mystery all pitted in against one another. The latter lowered the colours of a certain Clonbrien Treaty last time out and although drawn a little further out than preferred, he looks the most likely to land the spoils. Pat Buckley’s greyhound was brilliant in winning by over five lengths last time out, however, a similar break is required in order to repeat that feat. Borna Mick in particular looks a major threat. A greyhound with immense power, the son of Ballymac Bolger caught the eye in behind Sober Glory last time out and he gets the slight nod based on a plumb draw in trap one.

Although tasting defeat last Friday night, Gaytime Hugo will be expected to go one better than his second place finish in heat five. Indeed, Graham Holland will be represented by no fewer than four runners in this heat but his Kirby finalist looks his trump card and won’t be too deterred by his trap five berth. Of the others, Mendelson went toe-to-toe with Clonbrien Treaty down the back straight last time out and could prove a value bet in trap one, while it would be unwise to rule out Burgess Canon who clocked an impressive 28.66 last time out.

Pat Buckley is doubly represented in heat six with Da Gander Pen and Pape Di Oro, two first round scorers, amongst the field. Indeed, there are no fewer than four opening round heat winners drawn in this contest and all will be optimistic of building on their opening round performances. However, the vote goes to a greyhound who caught the eye massively in defeat. Hukum was sensational last time out despite being defeated just shy of ten lengths but the manner in which he made some hugely fast greyhounds look ordinary should not be ignored. He outstayed the likes of Bens Teddy and although he will likely need to come from off-the-pace again, any type of break should see him go close for Adam Dunford in trap three. The likes of Pape Di Oro and Optic Chico are likely to dispute favourtism and it makes for interesting viewing early on with both trackers drawn in traps five and six respectively.