MARLEY FASTEST AS SWEEPSTAKE ACTION DOMINATES CLONMEL CARD

Peter Farrell

It’s a busy time at Clonmel recently with the Munster Juvenile Cup currently taking place but there were some quality performances also on show last night as the opening round heats of two other sweepstakes took centre stage

The opening round heats of both the Droopys Stud A4 525 and the FFK Sires A4/A5 550 were down for decision and both stakes will take quite a bit of winning based on opening round exploits.

The Droopys Stud A4 was first to get underway and of the two semis, it was Chamberlain Anne who went quickest. Owned by David O’Neill, the July 21’ whelp was chasing her first career victory after three starts and she sat second early on from trap two as Circus Ger led from traprise. However, edging closer down the back was Chamberlain Anne and the daughter of Pestana and Glenegat Mildred took over at the third bend before putting the contest to bed. Crossing the line three lengths clear of Billys Red in second, the time was a decent 29.06.

In the other semi final, Wilderness Hades held on to record a third career win for Declan Drohan. An April 21’ son of Laughil Blake and Wilderness Star, this greyhound extended his fine record as he led from trap to line. Fastest into stride from trap four, Wilderness Hades got the better of Eskvale Weeman at the opening corner and he held on to score by half a length from his rival late on. The time was 29.21

FASTER FASTEST

The opening round heats of the FFK Sires 550 took place further down the card and Run Faster went very well to post an impressive 30.01 for the 550-yard distance.

Jointly owned by Martin and Eva Crowe, Run Faster clocked 28.92 on debut at Kilkenny so his talent was there for all to see prior to venturing into this stake at Clonmel. Trained by Owen McKenna, the son of Droopys Cain and Sarista made light work of his rivals as he broke smartly from trap six to put the contest to bed. Setting a fine gallop down the back, Run Faster never broke momentum in the closing stages and was four and a half lengths too strong for Armour Prince in second. The time, as mentioned, was 30.01.

In the opening semi final, Greenane Camino made it four career wins for owner Paul Nugent. A consistent performer who is rarely out of the mix, the son of Good News and Bull Run Kite broke best of all from trap three and in doing so, quickly paced up well to take control. Holding a healthy lead down the back, Greenane Camino stayed on stoutly to record a three length victory over Golden Warrior in second. The time was 30.49.

MARLEY QUICKEST ON THE NIGHT

In terms of the graded action, Mallogs Marley set a very high bar in landing the Sporting Press AO/A1 525.

Owned by the KDB Syndicate, Mallogs Marley is a top-class greyhound on his day and he showed glimpses of his best stuff last night when coming from off-the-pace to record a smart victory. It was Emers Dixie and Slaneyside Jimbo who disputed early on with the latter taking over midway the back straight. However, Mallogs Marley is a strong running individual and he took over at the penultimate corner before staying on strongly to win by three lengths from Slaneyside Jimbo in second. The time was a sparkling 28.68.