LITTLE TO SEPARATE ARACHAS SEMIS AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The regular Saturday meeting at Limerick Greyhound Stadium took place last night as the semi finals of the Arachas Corporate Brokers 600 went down for decision and just one spot was to separate both semi final winners.
A competition that has proved ultra-competitive thus far, there has been no standout performer thus far and the semi finals proved no different as Newport Pier zipped around in 32.47 prior to Cheero’s 32.48 effort.
After swapping victories with Cheero in the two rounds prior, Newport Pier was installed as the 6/4 favourite to land the opening semi and January 21’ whelp was forced to do things the hard way after a poor start from trap two. Owned by The Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate, ‘Pier’ walked with traps early doors as the lead was occupied by Ballygibba Ruby rounding the opener. A close affair up top, Ballygibba Ruby led Corporate Escape into the back straight but after making huge improvement, Newport Pier stormed into contention and already looked a massive threat. Quickly asserting midway down the back, the daughter of Droopys Sydney soon displayed her superiority as she galloped clear thereafter to win by two and a half lengths from Corporate Escape in second. The final qualification spot was landed by Ballyard Oscar in third, as the clock returned a good 32.47.
CHEERO KEEPS TABS
In the second semi, Cheero, who had played ping-pong with Newport Pier in the prior rounds, made it back-to-back wins for Matthew Harte.
This contest was dubbed a two-dog affair between Cheero and the unbeaten Typical Bono but although the latter did manage to secure qualification, it was all one-way traffic for the consistent Cheero. A 6/4 second favourite behind Typical Bono (1/1), the near veteran was quickly into stride from trap five and was headed only by Custom Lily on route to the opener. Showing the superior early pace, the son of Droopys Jet and Cats Belle took charge at this point and although drifting wide down the back, held a convincing lead over Typical Bono and Custom Lily in behind. Never under threat once in front, Cheero stayed on stoutly to see off Custom Lily by three lengths, with Typical Bono a further one and a half lengths back in third. The time was 32.48.
TREATY BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Clonbrien Treaty (6/4) displayed real signs of a return to best last time out and he delivered a masterclass in the Open 550 to get back to winning ways.
Trained by Graham Holland for James and Muireann Murphy, the reigning Kirby champion was much quicker into stride than his outing six days prior and he soon displayed that breath-taking early dash from trap six. Swooping the opener corner to take a three length lead into the back, Beepers Lariat was to turn second but in truth, he never made a yard on the son of Pestana for the remainder. Setting a scorching gallop down the back, Clonbrien Treaty stayed on stoutly to record a three and a half length victory, in a time of 29.57.
IN OTHER RACES
Race four saw a brilliant display of sprinting from the Philip Buckley-owned Blastoff Master. A 3/1 chance, the son of Blastoff Jet didn’t break at all well from five but showed electric early dash to lead around the opening turn. Storming up the Limerick straight thereafter, he secured a two length win over Claremount Aoibh in second. The time was 18.77.
The Kathy Scanlon-owned Ballyelan Sonic (Pestana - Ballyelan Comet) recorded a fine victory in a 550-yard contest in race five. Another 3/1 chance, the brindle set her stall out early with a swift exit from four to lead. From here, ‘Sonic’ set a good gallop throughout to come home three and a half lengths clear of April Rain in second. The time was 30.01.
Race six was a close affair but was won in a sizzling time by Champagne Fever. Trained by Tim Gilbourne for William O’Leary, the son of Broadstrand Bono came away like the wind from trap five and quickly manufactured a three length lead rounding the opener. Chased by the improving Riverdale Doro, the latter gave the leader plenty to think about in the closing yards, however, ‘Fever’ held firm to win by a short-head. The time was 28.58.