EXPECT MORE BRILLIANCE AS CON & ANNIE KIRBY CONTINUES AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
Ballymac Danica was the undoubted star of the opening round of the 2024 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial last Saturday night and the action continues later tonight with eight second round heats on offer.
Indeed, despite posting a sensational 27.83, which was a new track record, Ballymac Danica has not been rewarded with an easy task ahead of her second round heat as she makes up a red-hot heat two, which also includes the likes of Radical Harry, Tarnsa Maasai and Carrick Keano.
Owned by Liam Dowling, Ballymac Danica delivered yet another terrific display on the opening night as she blitzed her rivals to post a blistering 27.83 and it’s worth noting that this was her first race at Limerick, which could suggest that there is more to come from the daughter of Ballymac Cooper. Aided by a ping start from trap three last time out, she will once again don the white jacket and although she will come up against a number of her most notable rivals in outright terms, she is impossible to oppose and it will be an upset should she not prevail. Of her rivals, Carrick Keano gets the nod to give her the most to think about. The Robert Gleeson-trained son of Dromana Bucko moved off the opening bend last weekend so he is much better housed in four and is capable of a huge run if gaining a clear passage. That said, he must get first run on Ballymac Danica, which is obviously easier said than done. This is also the case for the inside duo of Tarsna Maasai and Radical Harry. The latter in particular ran a fine race in defeat last time out to secure qualification and Thomas O’Donovan’s greyhound has already shown the massive engine he possesses from his debut performance where he clocked a phenomenal 28.18. Tarsna Maasai is another with claims and he was eye-catching in defeat to Swords Hero last weekend. On that occasion, Geoff Parnaby’s tracker stayed on stoutly to post 28.46 in behind and he is well-drawn in trap one if using it to his advantage. Of the remaining runners in heat two, it is Ballinabola Jim will be finishing fast on the outside, however, has a bit to find in terms of the clock, while the Brendan Maunsell-trained In Good Time matched Rushy Meadows for the majority of the contest last time out and has no forlorn hope of making the quarter finals with a repeat display.
HEAT WATCH
HEAT ONE - Rushy Meadows was very impressive in round one when pulling clear to win in 28.31 and it’s worth noting that given the third bend sectional, most of the running from this star was done from the penultimate bend on. The daughter of Droopys Sydney, jointly owned by Gert Du-Plessis and Brendan Matthews will have to overcome a tricky draw in trap five this time around, however, remains a leading hope based on last week’s display. That said, Knockeen Dazzler is the selection. Owned by Daniel O’Rahilly, the son of Laughil Blake clocked a slick 28.48 last time out and displayed outstanding early dash on that occasion. Given he is the sole wide runner in the field, a clear passage is envisioned and he gets the nod to make it back-to-back Kirby wins. Of the others, Fantasy Alex came home well in behind Faypoint Sean and the Adam Dunford-trained black gets the vote to make the frame.
HEAT THREE- In heat three, Romeo Kingpin gets the vote to go one better than his second place finish last time out. Graham Holland’s son of Superman has incredible pace and he recovered brilliantly last time out to qualify. Drawn in red this time around, he is sure to start better than his 1.47 last weekend and if he can gain control of the rails, he will prove mighty difficult to peg back. Hanover Sky is another with strong claims. Leeanne Fleming’s son of Slippery Robert was having just his second start last weekend and he lost little in defeat when going down by just three lengths to Faypoint Sean. On that occasion, ‘Sky’ matched Faypoint stride for stride until the closing stages and he has plenty of scope to improve as the most lightly raced greyhound in the lineup. Another who has big claims, certainly of qualification, is Ballinabola Bill in five. The son of Confident Rankin made it back-to-back wins at Limerick in landing his opening round assignment last weekend and none will be finishing faster come the business end.
HEAT FOUR - Aside from the exploits of Ballymac Danica, Droopys Metaphor was next best on the clock as Robert Gleeson’s dog posted a fine 28.21 and he will be warm order in heat four. Drawing clear on that occasion to win at his leisure, the son of Dromana Bucko looked like a real star and if repeating that display from a suitable draw in two, he will take some stopping. The inside runner of Scooby Pacemaker is the main threat for Jennifer O’Donnell. Top-class on his day, the son of Droopys Sydney is yet to rediscover the sort of form that saw him clock 28.29 around HQ, however, he still warrants respect nonetheless. Of the remainder, Epic Chick ran a good race in defeat last time out and should come forward for John Kennedy in six.
HEAT FIVE - Another red-hot heat that involves two opening round heat winners in Faypoint Sean and Fashion Model. That said, it is the very impressive Da Bold Falcon who gets the vote to build on a very impressive second place finish last weekend. The Jack Kennelly-trained runner, owned by Northern man Patrick McDonagh, showed eye-catching speed in defeat last time out and he looks a potential Kirby winner if he can find his trapping boots. The aforementioned Faypoint Sean and Fashion Model both hold strong claims, while Serene Highway is a likely leader in trap three for Michael O’Donovan.
HEAT SIX - Ballymac Patriot was on the receiving end of a shock defeat last weekend as Noirs Ben prevailed, however, Liam Dowling’s Juvenile Classic winner is selected to get back to winning ways. Drawn in two, he has a feel for Limerick now and will look to make every inch of the running. Of his rivals, Ower Cracker is the main threat in terms of the clock after a 28.21 estimate in behind Ballymac Danica last time out. The son of Deerjet Sydney is certainly heading in the right direction but must overcome a terrible draw in trap five.
HEAT SEVEN - In heat seven, Swords Hero, who perhaps went under the radar slightly in round one, is the selection to make it back-to-back victories for Barbara Lowndes and Graham Holland. The classy brindle posted a rapid 1.25 sectional on route to winning in 28.36 last weekend and he showed top-class qualities on that occasion, worthy of much respect going forward. Drawn in five this time around, the son of Droopys Sydney must overcome that particular obstacle, however, there isn’t too much early dash on his inside and he could build up ahead of steam in the early exchanges. Of his rivals, Phoenix Tyson went well last weekend to win in 28.53, while the likes of Stonepark King and Ballymac Dapper are certainly not seen as ‘also-rans’.
HEAT EIGHT - In the concluding heat of the night, Coolavanny Otto retains favouritism despite a third straight defeat in the opening round. Indeed, the Pat Buckley-trained tracker just about qualified in fourth but showed brilliant battling qualities to survive on that occasion. An incredible talent, expect a more polished performance this time around and if he can get loose early, it will be a case of watching the clock. Rivals in this contest include the very fast Ballymac Senan in six, while Barefoot On Fire has a big engine and can progress to the next round.