BIG RUNS IN VICTORY AND DEFEAT AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
Itsallabouted went fastest in the second round of the Future Champions & Michael Fortune Memorial Open Unraced on Monday night but the real talking point on the night were the displays of Ballymac Gizmo in defeat and Ballymac Sargie in victory.
Despite Gizmo’s defeat, Liam Dowling still managed to record a double.
ED SHOWS REAL PROMISE
As a younger full brother to Ballinabola Ed, Itsallabouted is certainly bred to b fast and he displayed fine all-round pace in the final heat to dictate throughout, despite the best efforts of Fiery Mick.
Breaking smartly from trap two, the Pat Buckley trained Itsallabouted shot into a clear advantage to the corner and never looked like getting picked up. Owned jointly by Brendan Murphy and Edward Sheridan, the son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady proceeded to make every yard.
Fiery Mick did show plenty of pace to close in the latter stages but Itsallabouted hit the line three parts of a length to the good in 28.96. He was the only heat winner to break 29 seconds. Trinity Bella was best of the remainder, three lengths further adrift in third.
MASSIVE RUN FROM SARGIE
Ballymac Sargie emerged an unlikely winner of Heat 2 to initiate the Liam Dowling double.
Prominent to the turn between On The Nose and Roanna Greeko, the son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze was badly baulked and was sent back through the pack to last spot.
On The Nose continued to set a strong gallop out front but his stride was to shorten on the run for home. Meanwhile, Ballymac Sargie started to make up ground. He stayed wide on the third turn to go fourth but was still lengths behind the leader.
In a desperate finish, Ballymac Sargie flashed home to take charge in the final strides. It was a remarkable run that saw him deny Roanna Greeko by a short head in 29.41. On The Nose was another length back in third.
KINGA WINS BUT GIZMO SETS TONGUES WAGGING
Ballymac Kinga completed the Dowling double in Heat 3, chasing Amys Gem for much of the way before taking over off the final turn.
Despite taking a bump, the son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Meena went on to score in 29.38.
But the real story of this race was the display of Ballymac Gizmo. The 1-4 favourite stumbled badly at traps and was a bad last into the back straight. Showing massive pace, strength and determination, he found a way to get involved at the finish. Despite being forced to check his stride on a couple of occasions at the third turn, he charged up the straight to fail by just a short head. It was the type of run that confirmed what we saw in the opening round, he is a young greyhound with unlimited potential. Rapido Bob was best of the remainder in third, finishing just a length adrift.
SHAN WITH THE LUCK
The opening heat went the way of Rapido Shan after he was greatly aided by his litter brother Rapido Ted at the first bend.
Only fifth into the turn behind a wall of dogs, Rapido Shan was left in front when his brother ran off the turn badly hampering those on his outside.
Once going to the front, it was all one-way traffic. The Peter Cronin trained son of Dorotas Wildcat and Spooks Me hit the line three lengths to the good in 29.81. Annual Presto caught the eye in second, finishing at speed after bad early traffic. Cushie Mystery was just a short head away in third.