BALLINVEALA BOLT REMAINS UNBEATEN IN E.M MECHANICAL CLONMEL NOVICE

Peter Farrell

There was an eleven-race card on offer at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, however, the main attraction were the semi finals of the E.M Mechanical ON2/ON3 525 and this saw Ballinveala Bolt set a blistering standard.

Owned by Vincent Purtill, the August puppy made a fine start to his racing career in the opening round when posting 28.89, however, he upped the ante significantly last night as he made it two wins from as many starts in emphatic fashion. Installed as the 5/4 favourite, the son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller was on the ball from the outset as he broke smartly from two to lead. In doing so, Purtill’s charge set a scorching gallop down the back and the strapping brindle stopped the third-bend sectional in a brisk 16.11. Maintaining that relentless gallop all the way to the winning line, Ballinveala Bolt crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Beechwood Rose in 28.56.

Prior to that, the opening semi was landed by Good Thunder as he put a line through his debut defeat to win handsomely for John Kennedy of Thurles. Reeled in late by Ballinveala Bolt last time out, ‘Thunder’ broke well from trap three early doors and he disputed with Borna Show and Return Package early on. Holding the inside advantage, the 6/4 chance showed his electric early speed to open a healthy lead down the back and he looked home and hosed as Borna Show gave chase in second. Posting 16.18 to the third bend, Good Thunder still held a comfortable lead rounding the bottom two bends and although ‘Borna’ made a real fist of it late on, the damage was done early by Kennedy’s ‘Thunder’. Crossing the line one and a half lengths too strong, the time was a smart 28.89.