BLUEWAY ALL THE WAY IN EAMON GLEESON MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Doris Gleeson, the final of the €2,200-to-the-winner Eamon Gleeson Memorial 525 took centre stage at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, and it was Blueway Vinnie who completed a clean sweep through the stake with a career-best performance in the decider.

Jointly owned by Michael Ryan and Thomas O’Neill, Blueway Vinnie opened his account in the stake with a 28.92 maiden victory before duly following up seven days later, posting 28.94 in the semi-finals to firmly establish himself as the one to beat in Friday night’s decider. Installed as the even-money favourite as a result, ‘Vinnie’ picked the perfect night to continue his winning run as he produced an exemplary performance, pinging out to lead before running riot thereafter. Drawn in trap one, Blueway Vinnie was on the ball from the outset, clocking a rapid 2.74 sectional to blitz his rivals in the early yards. In doing so, the son of Dromana Bucko - Tullovin Vita set a blistering gallop to take a six-length advantage into the back straight from the reserve, Bay Roxy, in second. The handy 71-pound performer was really motoring at this point, posting an exceptional 15.99 to the penultimate bend, and although Bay Roxy made good inroads on the run for home, there were still three and a half lengths between the pair at the winning line. The time was a career-best 28.65 and brought the curtain down on another brilliantly run stake at the Suirside venue, producing a deserving winner who will be keenly watched in the months ahead.

COMPETITIVE 1XBET SEMIS

On the supporting card, the semi-finals of the 1XBET A1/A2 550 featured and it was Orderly Queue (Koblenz - Tory Aria) who went back-to-back for Tony Lacey and Liam Cahill in the opening semi-final.

A winner in a brisk 30.03 in round one, Orderly Queue was expected to take plenty of beating and, while it proved more difficult than many anticipated, the 4/5 favourite doubled his career tally. Drawn in two, ‘Orderly’ was headed early on by both Marlhill Jenny and Uisce Beatha, however, he drove a fine opening bend to hit the front entering the back straight. Thereafter, he and Uisce Beatha went toe-to-toe throughout and the jolly just got the better of his rival by a neck on the line. The time was 30.24, with Slaneyside Joel flying home to seal the final qualifying place.

In the second semi-final, Squinty Maginty was sent to traps as the 6/4 joint favourite alongside Kevinsfort Trump and he led his rival home to build on his second-place finish from round one. Drawn in two, the April ’24 son of McInerney - Lemon Hazel sat at the rear of the field at the opening bend, however, he benefited from traffic ahead to chase Badminton Chopin into the back straight. Swooping around his rival at the penultimate bend, ‘Squinty’ stayed on strongly on the run for home to cross the line two and a half lengths clear of Kevinsfort Trump, who, it’s fair to say, was a huge eye-catcher in defeat. The final qualifying place went the way of Glencroft Vic, with the time 30.66.