QUALITY FARE ON THURLES 75TH ANNIVERSARY NIGHT

Peter Farrell

It was a big night at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the Premier venue hosted their 75th Anniversary and there was some fine action on offer to boot.

The first of three finals on the night was the OMC Technologies ON2 525 and the €1,300 decider went the way of Emilys Superstar who built on her debut win to remain unbeaten. Owned by Brendan Kenny, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Dairyhill Josie was once again quickest into stride from a plumb pitch in one and this proved crucial in her quest to land the spoils. Oakfield Bullet looked the main threat prior to the off and this so proved as he overcame an early bump to really put it up to Emilys Superstar. However, showing fine determination to keep her rival at bay, Kenny’s brindle kept just enough in reserve to cross with a half length to spare. The time was 29.24 .20s.

SONNY ON TARGET

The John Kenny (Gunboat) Memorial A3 525 was the second final up for grabs and this was landed in supreme fashion by the Paul Hennessy-trained Hello Sonny.

Only a December puppy, Hello Sonny showed huge gears last time out when finishing second but he went one better in emphatic style as he romped to the €1,250 prize. Owned by the Winners-R-Grinners-Syndicate, the son of Jaytee Jet and Jaytee Sienna was forced to play second fiddle early on behind Zoos John but this was short-lived as the powerful youngster took charge at the halfway mark. Showing incredible speed thereafter, he drew clear to record a four and a half length victory, in a time of 28.98 .20s.

BACK TO BACK FOR OLD HAND

The last of the sweepstake finals on offer was the Moira Creane Memorial A4 570 and the €1,700 feature was landed comfortably by Old Hand.

Owned by Richard Dooley, Old Hand came into the decider fresh from recording the fastest time of the two semis and he brought that superior form into the final as he led from trap to line. Running from six, the son of Belles Direction and Classy Ebony broke swiftly from his outside berth and maintained a powerful gallop to see off Classy Dive by three lengths. The time was 31.83 .20s.

SHORT QUICKEST IN BOURKE MEMORIAL SEMIS

Elsewhere on the card, the semi finals of the Mick and Mary Bourke Memorial A4 525 were also down for decision and Short Again produced a magnificent performance to set the standard.

A competitive looking affair on paper with the likes of Bogger Ace and Borna Kitty also involved, Short Again could manage only third early doors as Thomas Spillane’s runner was headed by both Bogger Ace and Cabra Kostas. However, showing the superior back straight pace, Short Again took charge at the halfway mark and the son of Laughil Blake and Leamaneigh Breda proved a class apart thereafter in crossing the line three lengths clear of Bogger Ace in second. The time was 29.02 .20s. In the second semi final, Cashel Rex bounced back from defeat last time out as Ann Taylor’s charge justified his 6/4 favouritism to come home one length clear of early leader, Kilvil Arnold, in second. The time was 29.61 .20s.