ARABELLA LANDS THE FEATURE AT LIMERICK AS SWIZZ STARS ELSEWHERE

Peter Farrell

There was some wonderful action on offer last night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium with the feature event, the Talking Dogs A3 600 final, landed in trap to line fashion by Arabella Rue.

Trained by John Byrne for David Moloney, Arabella Rue went to boxes as the 2/1 second favourite after an impressive semi final performance and despite facing what looked a tricky draw in trap five, the September whelp trapped smartly to head her rivals from the outset. Showing a lovely turn of early speed, the daughter of Good News and Lilly Lula was now well on her way to landing the €700 first prize. Corbrack Duchess was to set out in chase of Arabelle Rue thereafter but there was only going to be one winner as Moloney/Byrne charge set a fine gallop throughout, before staying on stoutly to land the spoils. Two and a half lengths in hand crossing the winning line, the time was a good 32.80.

PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT FROM SWIZZ

On a night where several greyhounds stood out, Swizz Star impressed most with an incredible display in race four, an A2/A4 525.

Trained by Pat Guilfoyle for the Premier-Rebel-Syndicate, Swizz Star was searching for a first career win on only his third start and he could hardly have been more impressive, dominating from the outset to run out a wide-margin winner. An August puppy, Swizz Star went off at odds of 2/1 and he broke well wearing the stripes to accelerate away from his rivals early doors. Running a sweet bend, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Clongeel Mills was never under any pressure thereafter as he galloped out majestically down the back, before staying on well to win by a facile six and a half lengths. A brilliant display from another potential star from the Guilfoyle kennel, the time was 28.31.

TULLY QUICKEST IN NOVICE SEMIS

Singalong Tully was another who caught the eye on debut and the Pat Buckley-trained dog maintained his unbeaten career record in the second semi final of the Limerick Stadium ON2 525.

Owned by Gilbert Anderson, Singalong Tully won on debut in a swift 28.83 and the October puppy bettered that clock with another professional performance. Running from trap one and sent off as the 4/7 jolly, the handy black emerged from a level break to show the better of early gears in the opening exchanges. From here, the son of Tullymurry Act and Beaming Rosie dominated from the front as he drew clear of his rivals to record a fantastic nine length victory over nearest rival, Corcass Honey, in second. The time was 28.71.

The opening semi final was landed by Clonleigh Gareth (Magical Bale - Random Ebony) as he went one better than his second place finish seven days prior. Trained by Pat O’Connell for Phil Curtin, the October pup broke moderately from trap two but he also showed some fine early zip to take control at the opening corner. It proved a relatively straightforward assignment thereafter for the well-supported 4/6 favourite as he set a strong gallop throughout to come home five and a half lengths clear of Millbank Whizz in second. The time was 28.79.

BLAKE SETS THE PACE IN GRI SPRING STAKE

Elsewhere on the card, the opening round heats of the €2,800 to the winner, GRI Spring Stake 525 got underway and it was Rocket Blake who set the early standard.

Running in heat three, Rocket Blake was a 29.48 winner on his last outing at Galway but he has come a long way inside four weeks based on last night’s runaway performance. Jointly owned by Sean Hayes and Gordon Vaughan, this contest was put to bed at traprise as Rocket Blake lived up to his name with a smashing start from trap two. Opening up a healthy advantage early on, the son of Laughil Blake and Droopys Dream crossed the line six lengths better off than Ballyelan Josie in second. The time for the 7/4 shot was 28.69.

The opening heat was landed by Portinard News as she justified her even money pricetag for Betty Collins and Jack Foley. Searching for a first career win, the fawn daughter of Good News and Blastoff Khalesi made no mistakes as she made every inch of the running to record four length victory over Ruffian Jewel in second. The time was 28.83.

In heat two, Sor Demonica also justified hot favouritism in the market. An even money shot at the off, the Javier Jarne-owned runner, trained by Dave Bourke, followed the trend with a make-all performance from trap three. Only a November daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton, this lady was never under pressure as she galloped to a three and a half length victory, in a time of 28.75.

The final heat of the night was landed by Bettyville Rover (Pestana - Bettyville Sally), who struck late to score for John O’Shaughnessy. Running from trap two, the 2/1 chance sat second for the majority of this contest as Foxrock Rory showed the way in front. However, sticking to her task well was Bettyville Rover and she pounced in the closing stages to cross the line with a half length in hand. The time was 29.18.