BALLYMAC PATRIOT STARS IN SEMI FINALS OF THE JUVENILE CLASSIC

Barry Drake

The semi finals of the 2024 Juvenile Classic took centre stage in the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

BALLYMAC PATRIOT (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Wisdom) delivered a fantastic performance in the opening heat, making it back-to-back winning performances for Liam Dowling. Showing a nice touch of early dash along the inside of the track, the 4-6 favourite sailed around the opening corners in front. Hitting top gear on the back straight, the June youngster opened up a three-length gap on Baby Bocko to the second-last corner. Strong to the line, Ballymac Patriot beat kennel mate Ballyac Dapper, by three and a half lengths, in 28.21. Baby Bocko was third, just a neck behind the runner-up. 

PLENTY OF EARLY DASH

Trained by Patrick O'Connor for Ashleigh McManus and Elaine McManus, KEROGUE LADY (Droopys Sydney-Coolavanny Ella) displayed plenty of early dash when making all the running in the second heat.

It was a stunning early-paced winning performance, flying from traps, she quickly moved middle and despite that, she was clear of her rivals at the opening corners. About eight lengths clear to halfway, the June puppy was all out to hold on in the closing stages. Near last at the opening corner, Coolavanny Otto showed huge gears to get within a length of the winner. Owe Cracker was another to show plenty of pace, a short head back in third. The winning time was 28.43.

IN OTHER RACES, 

Octane Cora impressed with a classy 28.24 winning performance for trainer Pat Buckley and owner Morty Ahern. All one way traffic up front, the even money favourite scored with plenty to spare.

Laurels Champion High Trend made a winning return to racing action for trainer Graham Holland and owners the R-T-And-Syndicate. The 7-4 shot was in front early and he delivered a smart 28.52 winning run, coming home with a length and a half to spare over Glengar Martha.