BALLINAKILL ALF CAN ADD TREATY CUP TO GROWING CV

Peter Farrell

Although the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Confined Derby serves as the feature at Limerick tonight, there is some terrific two-bend action also on offer in the form of the prestigious Treaty Cup Open 350 final.

Boasting a fine prize of €2,800 for just three outings, this event always attracts the cream of the crop in sprinting terms and Ballinakill Alf certainly falls into that bracket. Trained by Graham Holland for the Pillar-Synd, ‘Alf’ smashed the track record in the opening round when romping to a phenomenal 18.22 victory and he backed that performance up with an 18.48 win last time out. The son of Pestana has really found his trapping boots over the stiff Limerick sprint and it’s unthinkable to suggest anything other than Ballinakill Alf will prevail. That said, this is greyhound racing and stranger things have happened, especially over the sprint trip. Of those bidding to cause what would be a huge upset is Burgess Jack, who also remains unbeaten in the stake. Owned by Sarah Shannon, the versatile speedster improved to post 18.73 in the semis and the son of Burgess Bucks and he is very well drawn in trap two. Make no mistake that this tracker knows how to win and should there be an upset, he looks the most likely to fit the bill. Another tracker that has taken to the sprinting scene very well is Feshtys Mo. Jointly owned by Michael and Terence Delaney, the brindle performed very well in the Kirby, showing fine early speed, and she trialed well prior to stake in clocking a swift 18.62. The bridesmaid in both rounds leading up to this final, she is housed poorly in trap six but is one that could make a podium appearance. Of the others, Trionas Tribe, Giglis Ebony and Zaconey Vulcan will all require luck, however ‘Trionas’ in particular really impressed in behind Ballinakill Alf last time out and as the most in-experienced in the line-up, could be one to keep an eye on going forward.