BALLYHIMIKIN LEO CATCHES THE EYE AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Track Members/Split The Pot A1/A2 Dual Distance were the main attraction to Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night but it was the performance of Ballyhimikin Leo which really caught the eye as he landed A3 contest in emphatic fashion

Just a January 21’ whelp, Ballyhimikin Leo came into the event still searching for a first career win but he went to traps the 6/4 joint favourite to get off the mark at the third time of asking. Jointly owned by Billy and John Dunne, his qualifying campaign pointed to obvious talent and he certainly delivered in abundance as he turned this A3 contest into a procession. Running from trap two, Ballyhimikin Leo didn't come away too hot from his inside berth but he displayed great early dash to sit within two lengths of the leaders rounding the opening turn. Screaming for racing room down the back, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Slaneyside Poppy proceeded to outpace his rivals at the midway point and from here, it was a matter of how far as he excelled around the bottom two bends to build an impressive lead. Romping up the home straight, Ballyhimikin Leo crossed the line with a massive twelve lengths in hand over nearest rival, Glenbervie Maza, and the time was a slick 28.68. One would imagine there is plenty more to come from Ballyhimikin Leo once availing of a clear passage throughout.

HOLLAND DOUBLE

Elsewhere on the card, Graham Holland recorded another double at the Suirside venue and the first of his winners came in race seven as Newinn Nifty ran out a comfortable winner.

Owned by Simon Taylor, Newinn Nifty was the 6/4 favourite at the off and the May 20’ whelp came away racing from trap two in her bid to secure a seventh career victory. Holding a two and a half length lead over Wizard in second, the daughter of Droopys Buick and Newinn Expert quickly doubled that advantage down the back and it was clear that this race was over as a contest racing into the bottom two bends. Staying on well up the home straight, Newinn Nifty was five lengths better off than Wizard crossing the line, as the clock returned a smart 28.73.

The double was completed in the concluding race of the card as Riverside Fudge went by far and away the fastest in the second semi final of the Track Members/Split The Pot A1/A2 Dual Distance. The 6/4 joint favourite heading into the contest with Ballyhimikin Rex in two, Riverside Fudge was headed early on by Emers Dixie but he stormed up alongside the leader on the approach to the penultimate turn. Staying on strongly thereafter, the son of Lenson Bocko and Riverside Honey, owned by the R-T-C Syndicate, crossed the line with four lengths to spare over Emers Dixie in second. The time was 28.94.