PRODUCE STAKES CLUES ON DISPLAY AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were a number of fine performances on display last night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium as they hosted an all-graded nine-race card, one-week prior to the scheduled start of the National Produce Stakes.

Both the sprint and standard trip produced some quick times and the fastest over the standard trip was De Gander Pen in the ‘This Runs Deep A1/A2 525’. Trained by Pat Buckley for the Ore-Yont-Syndicate, the October 21’ whelp had shown great promise in his opening two starts at Limerick and the National Produce Stakes is clearly on the radar based on his venture to Clonmel last night. Running from trap two, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton didn’t break too smartly but showed excellent early dash to speed up the rails and barge his way through at the opener. Disputing the lead with Burgess Canon entering the back, De Gander Pen quickly pulled clear of his rival and thereafter it was all one-way traffic. Staying on powerfully in the closing stages, Buckley’s charge raced to a five and a half length victory, in a swift time of 28.70 .10s.

STYLE DOES IT IN STYLE

Race four saw the Sporting Press Online Edition A2 525 get underway and this was landed in off-the-pace fashion by the aptly named, Style.

Trained by Michael O’Donovan for his Son, Mark, Style is another who looks to have the Produce Stakes in his sights and he arrived at Clonmel after posting a fantastic 29.05 .30s debut effort around the tough Kilkenny circuit. Running from four last night, Style completely fluffed his lines and occupied the rear position entering the first bend. Howareyounow headed proceedings heading into the back and opened a ten length advantage over Style, who was now beginning to motor midway down the back straight. Quickly slicing through runners however, Style cut the deficit in half rounding the final two bends and despite steering a very wide course, the son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Abba looked a likely winner with 50-yards remaining. Storming around the outer, Style flew by Howareyounow and he had one and a half lengths in hand crossing the winning line as the clock returned 28.81 .10s. Make no mistake, this August puppy has at least another forty spots in hand based on last night’s magnificent effort.

BONO BRILLIANT ON DEBUT

Another greyhound who could take his chance in the Classic in six days’ time is Emers Bono, who despite landing an A5/A6 event, did so in only his first start.

Owned by JJ Dunne, who is no stranger to producing good greyhounds, Emers Bono is just a November 21’ whelp but he took to the racing scene like a duck to water, dismantling his more experienced rivals comfortably in the process. A son of Broadstrand Bono and Emers Diva, Emers Bono was led early on by Da Reall Squad but benefited from his inside berth to slip up the inside after Shes Mint moved off the opening corner from trap two. Soon in control, Emers Bono opened an unassailable lead over his rivals thereafter as he crossed the line six and a half lengths in hand over Sioux Rose in second. The time was a fast 28.97 .10s.