SOBER SPEED EXCELS AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

There were a number of fine performances at Thurles Greyhound Stadium last night but the standout was a brilliant display from Sober Speed, who posted the fastest time since 2021 for the 570-yard trip.

Running in the opening semi final of the Split The Pot A6 570, Sober Speed had just the two starts under his belt but had failed to land a blow in behind two quick winners. However, Sean Malone’s June whelp certainly found his feet over the extended trip last night as he posted the fastest time for the 570 since Taylor Kate clocked 31.25 in December 2021. Sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite, Sober Speed wasted no time in stamping his authority on the contest as he broke smartly from trap three. From here, the son of Magical Bale and Bull Run Ballad soon doubled a two length advantage and he continued to draw clear thereafter to post a most impressive victory. Six lengths in hand crossing the line, the time for Sober Speed was a rapid 31.49 .20s.

PALERIVA SETS SONNY BUTLER STANDARD

Elsewhere on the card, the semi finals of the Sonny Butler Memorial A4 525 featured and it was Paleriva who went quickest for owner Shannon Smith.

An extremely well-bred son of Droopys Sydney and String of Pearls, Paleriva won his opening round assignment in 29.50 .20s when coming from off-the-pace and he was to implement similar tactics this time around. The 5/4 favourite at the outset, Paleriva came away well from trap two but was on the receiving end of a hefty bump at the opening corner. Only third down the back, Paleriva upped the ante at the halfway mark and he had his rivals collared at the penultimate turn. Thereafter, it was a straightforward night’s work for the talented tracker as he drew clear to beat Classy Diva by six lengths. The time was 29.06 .20s.

The second semi final was landed by Waveofthesea, who also justified his 5/4 pricetag. Jointly owned by Carmel and Paddy Egan, the son of Pestana and Last Lady had to settle for the minor placing for the majority of this contest as Micks Elite set a hot pace, however, Waveofthesea stuck to his task well to reel in the leader. Staying on strongly in the closing stages, the August whelp was three lengths too strong, in a time of 29.23 .20s.

IN OTHER RACES

Race nine saw the ultra-consistent Errill Daithi record a brilliant thirteenth career victory for owner Tommy Morrissey. In truth, this contest was over early on as the strong-staying Errill Daithi turned into the back disputing the lead with Fairest Roxy. A greyhound who normally takes off late on, the son of Toolatetosell and Security didn’t defer from his style of running as he powered clear to win by an impressive four lengths. The time was 29.29 .20s.

The final race of the night saw Please Tucker also run out a fine winner. Owned by John Mulcahy, the June son of Run Happy and Bogger Bonnie made it back-to-back wins as he pounced from trap four to record a 1.65 sectional. From there, it was all one-way traffic for the classy tracker as he maintained a powerful gallop to see off Devs Diva by four lengths. The time was a swift 29.09 .20s.