TRAINER GRAHAM HOLLAND RECORDS A FANTASTIC TREBLE IN THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE LAURELS
Barry Drake
Trainer Graham Holland enjoyed a fantastic treble in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
It was Glory Baz who went quickest on the clock when winning the opening heat, in 28.21, for the Holland team and owners Sheila Duncan and Peter McMunn. Showing huge early speed to win the all-important early lead, the 7-2 shot was always in control as he delivered a really impressive front-running winning run. Clona Rocko ran another fine race in second, three lengths back, with another two lengths back to Burgess Supreme in third.
MAKE THAT EIGHT FOR BOLT
In the following heat, Jacktavern Bolt made it eight straight wins when winning for trainer Graham Holland and owners the Pillar Syndicate.
The even-money favourite produced another very quick start and he was in total control right away. Showing big speed up front, Bolt delivered another top-class display to beat Ballymun Boy, by three lengths, in 28.29, with a length back to Rural Taylor back in third.
MOLLY ON TOP ON THE INSIDE
Rathdown Molly made the most of the inside line to win the third heat for trainer Marie Gilbert and owner Bill Mulholland.
The 5-4 favourite didn't produce her quickest start but she showed a lovely touch of early pace to lead at the opening bends. Carrick Aldo was poorly from traps but he also showed stunning early speed to get in the mix early on. It was a fantastic battle with Rathdown Molly just holding the strong run of Carrick Aldo, by a neck, in 28.26. Three and a half lengths back to Role Model in third place.
A FANTASTIC TREBLE FOR TEAM HOLLAND
High Trend made it a Graham Holland treble when showing plenty of early speed to win the fourth and final heat for owners the R T And C Syndicate.
The 5-4 favourite displayed plenty of early dash as he made every yard of the running to beat Glengar Martha, who herself showed huge dash, when back in second. A length the margin, in 28.36, with three and a half lengths back to Easy Razzle in third place.
IN OTHER FEATURE RACES
In the opening round of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake, it was the early-paced Ballybawn Belle who landed the spoils for trainer Paraic Campion and owner Ailbhe Cullen. A fine 28.64 winning run, half a length clear of Ballymac Aggie.
Carrigoon Thor delivered a brave display to win the second heat for Noel Casey. In front early on, the 5-1 shot was strong throughout as he held the always in the mix Riverside Bocko, by half a length, in 28.68.
Boreenmannaqueen is a much-improved sort in recent times and she was on song once more in the third heat, winning for trainer Pat Kiely and owner Patrick Hennerty. The 5-1 winner turned it into a one-dog affair as she slipped clear early on and went on to clock 28.56, proving five and a half lengths too strong for Freeway Sharky.
Millride Nadia took the closing heat, in 28.44, for Stephen O'Mahony. Once she found herself in front early, it was game over. A strong running tracker, the classy tracker finished strongly to land the spoils. Five lengths back to Romeo Kingpin in second place.