HAMMOND MAKES-ALL TO SET THE STANDARD IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE OPENER
Peter Farrell
There may only have been three opening round heats of the 2022 Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night but there was plenty of quality on display and it was Hello Hammond who set the standard as he made a winning start to his marathon career.
Trained by Paul Hennessy for Gerry and Miriam Meaney, Hello Hammond is known for his off-the-pace exploits when running over the standard trip, however, he found himself in front early on after a slick exit from trap five. Swinging very wide upon entrance to the home straight first time around, the classy son of Jaytee Jet and Jaytee Pearl soon asserted to take a two length lead into the back straight. Stopping the sectional clock at a decent 13.25, Hello Hammond maintained a strong gallop thereafter and although challenged late on by Pearl Express, who kept the leader honest throughout, Hennessy’s charge stayed the trip well on debut and he crossed the line with a neck in hand over his rival. The third and fourth qualifying positions were landed by Ladyswell and Lissatouk Ben, as the clock returned a rapid 41.89. A fine display from the 4/5 favourite.
JOSIE NEXT BEST
Next best in terms of the clock came in heat three as Ardfert Josie caused a major shock in overturning the 1/2 favourite, Magical Poppy.
Jointly owned by Kathleen Clifford and Joe Nash, Ardfert Josie actually came into this contest still seeking a first career win but the Timmy Carmody-trained bitch was to run out a convincing winner. Running from trap two, Ardfert Josie came away like the wind and was already in possession of a handsome lead early on as the likes Toolmaker Beach and Magical Poppy gave chase in behind. Holding a five length advantage down the back straight, Toolmaker Beach emerged as the main threat at this point, however, Ardfert Josie was setting a powerful gallop in front and never looked like getting reeled in. Clocking a smart 13.20 sectional, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Dolce Vita stayed on stoutly late on and she was six lengths clear of the fast-finishing Gortkelly Mona in second, while Magical Poppy, who endured a troublesome passage throughout, had to settle for third. The final qualifying position went to Toolmaker Beach and the time for the 4/1 chance was a swift 41.99
GUN SHOOTS LATE TO PREVAIL
In the opening heat of the night, Ganja Gun wore down the long-time leader to record a sixth career victory for joint owners Patrick Conlon and John Meehan.
In what looked a very tough heat on paper, it was the strong-running Own Spice who held all the aces early doors as he took a four length lead into the home straight first time around. A recent Derby Trial Stake winner at Galway, Own Spice is known for his staying abilities, however, the likes of Ganja Gun and Tinnock Solis gave chase in behind and both greyhounds began to reduce the advantage entering the penultimate turn. Making swift progress rounding the fifth and sixth bends, Ganja Gun started to rev his engine in behind and the son of Sh Avatar and Killinan Reina swooped late to just deny the ferocious finish of Tinnock Solis in second. Own Spice faded out of contention to settle for third, while the final qualifying position was claimed by Twinkle in fourth place. The time for the 3/1 chance was 42.07.
IN OTHER RACES
There was a brilliant performance from the Owen McDonagh-trained Kilbannon Psycho (Droopys Jet - Droopys Breeze) in race ten as she justified 6/4 favouritism to win on her first start in three months. Running from trap one, Kilbannon Psycho absolutely flew from boxes and she posted a scintillating 1.15 sectional early on. From here, she built on this momentum to make every post a winner and clock a red-hot 28.50.
Whats Up Jack (Candlelight King - Balance Sheet) is an extremely talented sort and he landed the concluding race of the night, which was a 575-yard contest. Owned by the O-L-Syndicate, Whats Up Jack went to boxes a 3/1 chance and although breaking smartly from two, he was outpaced early on as Drombeg Ten soared up the inside. The duo battled it out thereafter but the extra yardage was to play right into the paws of Whats Up Jack as he stormed to the front late on and score. Two lengths separating the duo, the time was 31.50.