O’DONOVAN SEALS DOUBLE KIRBY TICKET AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was no fewer than four Con & Annie Kirby Trial Stakes up for grabs at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Michael O’Donovan duly claimed two of those with Serene Highway and Stonepark King.

It was Stonepark King who went quickest, not only in the trial stakes, but on the night as a whole as the impressive June puppy ran out a comprehensive winner of the A1 contest. Representing Michael Sean O’Dwyer, who has tasted Kirby success before with Stonepark Leo, his charge was sent to traps as the 4/6 favourite and in truth, he looked every bit of that price tag as paced up brilliantly from trap two to lead. Quickly turning a two length advantage into an unassailable lead down the back, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ballyveery Sarah was relentless in coming home seven and a half lengths clear of Fantasy Alex in second. A very accomplished display from this rising star, the time was a hot 28.47.

TRAP TO LINE FOR HIGHWAY

Prior to that, kennel companion, Serene Highway also booked his ticket into the richest Juvenile event in the world as he too made every inch of the running.

Another hot favourite at even money, Serene Highway bolted from trap four early doors and he took a one lead into the back from Katsumoto in second. Quickly doubling his advantage down the back, the son of Good News and Boleys Ace was always holding his rivals and despite coming under late pressure from the eye-catching Priceless Banter in second, ‘Highway’, owned by Eddie Ryan, held firm to win by one and a half lengths. The time was 28.82.

TALLY HO STORMS INTO KIRBY

The opening trial stake on the night was the A1 contest and this was landed by local runner, Tally Ho Storm, as he showed fine determination to make it five career wins.

Owned by the Walls-Of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate, Tally Ho Storm is normally fast into stride, however, he was forced to use all of his early dash on this occasion to get into contention from trap two. It was in fact Merits Inclusion (5/4) who led the way as Tally Ho Storm showed brilliant track craft to somehow navigate traffic at the opening bend and go second. Outpacing his rival down the back, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Tally Ho Dawn went about his business in fine style thereafter as he stayed on stoutly and claim a one length victory over Tinahue Pappone in second. The time for the 7/2 chance was 28.91.

KAI BOOKS TICKET

The AO trial stake also went down for decision and Pat Buckley sent out Unanimous Kai (5/1) who sealed a hard-fought victory in coming from off-the-pace.

The Rachel Wheeler-trained March On Freddie was a real eye-catcher on debut at Clonmel and despite this being a massive hike in grade, he was expected to go close and it was the September puppy who led early on from trap four. Shipping a big bump at the opener, ‘Freddie’ went clear into the back but was quickly joined by the exciting Unanimous Kai and he stormed past the early leader at the back straight point to go clear. Holding a two length lead thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Swift Magnetic, owned by Ciaran O’Sullivan, stayed on strongly to see off March On Freddie and stop the clock in 28.59.

LIMERICK A2 550

Elsewhere on the card, the three semi finals of the Limerick Stadium A2 550 were on offer and it was Knockeen Dawn who set the standard as the 5/4 favourite dipped under the 30-second barrier.

Owned by Daniel O’Rahilly, Knockeen Dawn was rocket-like at traps as his orange jacket flew into the opening bend clear. Holding a healthy lead down the back from Sir Ridger in second, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Island raced to a comfortable, seven length victory, in a fast 29.97. In the other semis, Hazelhill Bucko showed a fine turn of pace for Michael O’Connell to win in 30.10, while Orchid Dream was another trap-to-line winner for Declan Moloney as he won with ease in 30.13.