ALL ABOUT CHARLIE IN STUNNING LIMERICK PERFORMANCE

Peter Farrell

It looked a rather low-key card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night, however, the tail-end of the card proved something of real quality with a number of top-class performances.

There was no doubt about the stand-out performance on the card and this came in race ten, which was the BoyleSports.com AO 550, won in super fashion by Tuono Charlie. An 8/11 favourite prior to the off, the Sharon Hunt-trained black was chasing a hat-trick heading into the contest and despite stepping back in trip after impressing over the marathon distance, he won in sensational style. Owned by Paul Dyer, ‘Charlie’ broke very smartly from four and soon outpaced his nearest rival, Raining Glory, to the opening turn. In doing so, it was always going to take something special to reel in a greyhound who won a 750-yard contest on his last outing and this so proved as he set a monstrous gallop to draw clear of his rivals. Indeed, the son of Good News and Farronrory Bonny never relented as he powered past the line to record a nine length victory over Moneygall Jack in second. The time was a sensational 29.48 for the 550-yard trip.

ELSEWHERE

Race eight was an A1 contest, however, Swords Hero (Droopys Sydney - Rural Aloha) ensured he will be keeping open class company next time around as the Barbara Lowndes-owned and Graham Holland-trained puppy won impressively. A 2/1 market chance, ‘Hero’ was quickly into stride from three and showed a fine turn of early dash to lead around the opening turn. Stonepark King was the 4/5 favourite and he showed eye-catching pace down the back, however, Swords Hero held the jolly at bay as he maintained a strong gallop to win by three parts of a length. The time was 28.50.

The upcoming Con & Annie Kirby Memorial AO/A1 525 was race eleven and this was landed by 8/1 outsider, Fantasy Moll (Pestana - Newinn Madam). A rather insulting price for a bitch with a huge engine, the Adam Dunford-trained charge was headed by the favourite, Romeo Taylor, early doors and he looked likely to add to his recent victory in the Rural Kennels Unraced at Clonmel. However, Fastasy Moll is very strong throughout and Leslie Coveney’s tracker powered home to take control late on a scre by three parts of a length. The time was a slick 28.58.

The final race on the card was the Getting Out AAO 525 and this saw the re-emergence of the Munster Juvenile Puppy Cup winner Faypoint Harvey. However, it wasn’t to be on his return to racing action as Grouchos Duke ran out a most-impressive victor. 9/4 at the off, the John Byrne-trained tracker was fresh from a stunning 18.53 trial at Limerick and he bolted from two to lead Faypoint Harvey into the opener. From here, the strong-running son of Grangeview Ten and Mystical Luna stuck to his task well as he stayed on stoutly to see off Boss Go by one and a half lengths. The time was a rapid 28.49.