CHAMPION UNRACED TAKES OFF
Ian Fortune
The opening round of the Champion Open Unraced provided some fine racing but it moved to another level at Kilkenny on Friday night as some of the best and brightest young trackers in training flexed their muscles, including Droopys Doughnut who set a blistering standard when coming home clear in 28.65.
In fairness, he needed to go that fast to take the headlines as Clonroosk Sydney had also gone exceptionally quick in the opening heat when posting a wonderful 28.69, while Stonepark Syd was less than a length behind on the clock as he won in 28.74. Seven Beach also impressed, overcoming early traffic to win the remaining heat.
DOUGHNUT GOES BALLISTIC
But honour of going fastest went to Droopys Doughnut.
One of four greyhounds to dip under 29 seconds in the opening round, he went almost five lengths faster this week as he shot from the inside box to dominate.
Trained by Johnny Linehan for the cleverly named Donut Worry Syndicate, the son of Pestana and Droopys Dance was never threatened. His task was made somewhat easier when the favourite Unreal Bruiser found traffic on the bend but it scarcely made any difference.
Moving with real fluency and purpose throughout, the October ’21 whelp was relentless, easing further and further clear. By the line, Droopys Donut had eight lengths in hand on Deadly Jet. Unreal Bruiser, after his early traffic, was a further length adrift in third.
SUPER SYDNEY SO IMPRESSIVE
The opening heat served up a tremendous finish with Ray Conroy and Ollie Dunne’s Clonroosk Sydney reeling in the fast starting Ballinakill Alf in the closing yards.
The latter seemed destined to follow up his impressive opening round effort but the Matthew Harte trained Clonroosk Sydney had other ideas.
Once turning second, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Matilda was always close enough to make his presence felt at the business end and so it proved. Showing fine pace and strength, he began to reel in the leader on the third turn and stayed on the better to lead under the shadow of the post for a half length verdict in 28.69. It’s clear both greyhounds have a very bright future. Jacktavern Bolt was the best of the remainder, a further three lengths adrift in third.
SYD SHOOTS CLEAR
Stonepark Syd was razor-sharp in the final heat, starting far faster than seven days earlier, to dictate throughout.
Trained by Michael O’Donovan for Michael O’Dwyer, the son of Droopys Sydney and Affane Beauty posted a rapid 4.17 sectional to lead the field from the outset.
Bymystandard also went up fast but couldn’t get back on terms with the pace-setter before finding bad traffic of the final turn. Instead, Stonepark Syd continued to dictate up the straight to eventually cross the line five lengths clear in 28.74. Ballymac Copper came through for second, while Cholita was another length back in third.
SEVEN WINS AGAIN
Seven Beach also won for favourite backers in Heat 3 although he did have to work a little harder than his odds-on status suggested he might.
Grouchos Vic went up fast and held a narrow lead but he and Seven Beach were upsides entering the back straight.
Seven Beach took a sight bump but still managed to take charge as they straightened up. A little daylight was all he needed. Jennifer O’Donnell’s son of Pestana and Whitings Gift moved clear and proceeded to emerge a three and a half length scorer in 29.04.
Glenview Star overcame early traffic before finishing well to take the runner-up spot. Carrick Fergie also found traffic but recovered to finish a length and a half back in third.