HUGE CROWD AND SUPERB ACTION AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
There was a wonderful atmosphere at Enniscorthy on bank holiday Monday evening as a benefit for Ferns United and the second round of the April Open Unraced attracted a bumper crowd to the south eastern venue.
And those present were treated to some wonderful performances from a very promising group of young greyhounds. A number of heat winners really impressed including Dubai Kid who flew around in 28.75 but Miami Patrol stole the headlines with a stunning front-running display as he posted a rapid 28.64 on his way to winning Heat 3 in some style.
MIAMI A HOT PROSPECT
An eye-catcher seven days earlier, when finishing second to Hatfield Lodge, the well bred son of Ballymac Bolger and Yahoo Katie left that form well behind him as he dominated from start to finish for Johnny Donohoe, Tom O’Donnell and Garry Dempsey.
A wonderfully fluent 72lb black, Miami Patrol looked a potential star as he saw off Neamstown Elite by four and a half lengths. Have no doubt, you will be hearing plenty of Miami Patrol in the future.
IMPRESSIVE DUBAI INITIATES A CRONIN DOUBLE
Next fastest was the aforementioned Dubai Kid.
One of the most impressive opening round scorers when coming from of the pace, he looked far sharper in Heat 4 when taking charge into the turn before putting real daylight between himself and the chasers.
Liberty Katy got closest but had no chance with Dubai Kid. Trained by Peter Cronin for the Keg Syndicate, the son of Out Of Range and Swift Acoustic pulled further and further clear to win by ten and a half lengths in a rapid 28.75.
SYDNEY SLIPS CLEAR
Peter Cronin later completed a double with Yahoo Sydney (Droopys Sydney/ Geelo Champers) leading early to win Heat 7 with little fuss.
A winner in 29.30 in the opening round, he predictably stepped up on that run to come home six and a half lengths clear in 29.01 for owners Billy McMahon and GJ Thompson. Tyford Diamond overcame traffic to finish second.
COULDBEASTAR LIVES UP TO NAME
The well-bred Couldbeastar got loose in Heat 2 to lower the colours of fastest opening round scorer Dairyhill Stella.
The latter found early crowding and rode a bump on the bend to turn second but John Kearney’s Couldbeastar was never going to be picked up once dictating the pace.
The daughter of Good News and College Jade galloped all the way to the line to see off the hot favourite by two lengths in 29.01.
BREADMAN EARNS HIS DOUGH
Dagingerbreadman was another that caught the eye for a second week running.
He flew home in defeat in the opening round but this time got to the front in the second half of the contest before pulling away to win Heat 5.
Only fourth into the turn, he improved his position into the back straight before charging after Could Be Rocket into the third turn. Trained by Paul Hennessy for Cian Gleeson, the son of Jaytee Taylor and Darver Bridie hit the front before the final turn and went on to win by six and a half lengths in 29.09. Saunders Savanah came through for second.
STRIPE SETS THE TONE
Stripe Sparky got proceedings underway, showing fine pace and track craft to move to the front between the last two bends.
Only third to that point, Ned Freeman’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Gareths Star shot up in the inside to take over before easing on to beat Ballinabola Coco by five and a half lengths in 29.19.
SYDNEY SHOOTS DOWN RIVALS
Rathbally Sydney displayed plenty of dash to win the final heat for James Flynn.
Only third into the bend, the son of Sparta Maestro and Ballindoney Sky flew around the second turn to move to the head of affairs. Forest Margaret ran on well to come second but Rathbally Sydney was not for catching as he ran out a ready six and a half length winner in 29.11.
TEE JAI GETS LOOSE
Early speed saw Airdown Tee Jai to build a decisive lead into the third turn.
Stephen Parker and Brendan Murphy’s son of Newinn Taylor and Airdown Rena moved right away to the third turn and had enough in hand despite tiring in the latter stages to contain Global Sydney by three and a half lengths in 29.36.