GOODMAN JOHNJOE LANDS FREEDOM FEATURE AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

Sweepstake action dominated last night's card at Thurles Greyhound Stadium and the feature was the final of €1,500 to the winner Freedom Kennels A5/A6 525 which was landed in fine style by Goodman Johnjoe.

Both Goodman Johnjoe and Lacken Jessie came into the Freedom Kennels decider boasting unbeaten records in the stake so it was no surprise to see the duo occupy favouritsm in the betting market. It was the former who went off the narrow 5/4 jolly and he was to produce a career-best effort with another strong running performance from trap five. Owned by Noel Nagle, Goodman Johnjoe was moderately into stride from his outside draw and he negotiated second place on the run to the opener as Coffee Duck set the pace early doors. However, making his move off the second turn was Goodman Johnjoe and this was to prove decisive as he stormed to the front midway down the back. From here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Liosgarbh Ene drew clear of the field and he powered up the home straight to win by a comfortable six lengths from Lacken Jessie, who finished well to claim second. The time was a fast 29.00 .20s and congratulations are extended to Noel Nagle, while many thanks are also extended to Michael and Kathleen Pomfret on their generous sponsorship of this event.

SERIOUS PERFORMANCE FROM BULL RUN

Elsewhere on the card, the opening round heats of the RCETS A3/A4 525 got underway and there was a serious effort in the final heat of the night as Bull Run Bison put down a huge market.

Owned by Doireann Quinlan, Bull Run Bison had some promising form already in his book prior to the stake and he went to traps the 6/4 favourite to double his career tally to two wins. Only a November whelp, Bull Run Bison sat in midfield early on from trap four as Cabra Veyron led the way from trap one. However, showing big gears from halfway was Bull Run Bison and the son of Magical Bale and Bull Run Banter powered to the front at the penultimate turn, before drawing clear to win by seven lengths from Youve Been Done in second. The time was a blistering 28.85 .20s.

ROUNDING UP THE HEATS

In the opening heat of the night, Old Bill ran out a comprehensive winner to justify his 5/4 starting price. Owned by Bernadette Hogan, Old Bill broke third and he remained in that position early on as New Sensation set the tone. Old Bill rallied down the back however, and the son of Droopys Sydney and Starry Display hit the front in the home straight to cross the line four lengths clear of New Sensation in second. The time was a good 29.22 .20s.

The Ned Fogarty-owned Wave Me On came into the RCETS fresh from a slick 17.83 trial at Thurles but he showed another thread to his bow last night as he too came from off the pace to score. The big 80-pounder was slowly into stride from trap one and he looked to have plenty on his plate as he turned fourth rounding the opener as Palace Hill held a healthy lead up front. However, Wave Me On made rapid progress down the back and he stormed to the front late on to beat Palace Hill by one and a half lengths. The time was a good 29.28 .20s.

Private Jet continues to be a terrific servant for John Ryan and John Byrne and he was once again paw-perfect to land his opening round assignment. Running from trap two, Private Jet came away well and he led the field into the opening corner Crescent Tibet in second. From here, it was a closely run affair between the duo but Private Jet stuck it out well to seal a three parts of a length victory, in a time of 29.30 .20s.