MAGICAL BLAZE CLAIMS 2024 KASKO UNRACED AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

All eyes were on the final of the Kasko Dog Foods ON2 525 at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it was Magical Blaze that dominated from the outset to take home the €2,200 first prize on offer.

Jointly owned by Patrick and Alice Guilfoyle, Magical Blaze (Droopys Sydney - Amazing Alice) came into the decider as the fastest semi final winner and although having to overcome a rain-soaked track, he produced a brilliant front-running performance to emerge a facile winner of this prestigious event.

Sent off as the 5/4 joint favourite alongside his rival Zenith Efendi, ‘Blaze’ was on-song at traprise as he blitzed his rivals early doors from trap four to lead. In doing so, he opened a three length lead down the back from Ballinalick Bono in second, while Zenith Efendi was showing good progress back in third as he bridged the gap with every stride over his second-placed rival. However, the latter was forced to check at the penultimate bend and this enabled Magical Blaze to continue his assault at the head of proceedings and emerge a comfortable winner as a result. Showing excellent stamina given the conditions, Magical Blaze extended his lead entering the home straight and he crossed the line six lengths clear of Ballinalick Bono in second. Wi Can Brenda was another representative of Pat Guilfoyle and she came through to claim third as the clock returned a smart 29.31 .20s.

EPIC SERVES UP ANOTHER ACE

Indeed, it proved a fruitful night for Patrick Guilfoyle as his latest star, Epic Ace, made it two wins from as many starts in the Open 330.

Epic Star, owned by John Kennedy, was a winner on debut in a fabulous 18.31 around Shelbourne Park and he was expected to comfortably seal back-to-back wins when donning the orange jacket. Not too fluently into stride, it didn't take long for the son of Signet Ace to get to work as he excelled in the opening yards to outpace his rivals. Thereafter, it was all one-way traffic as he flew up the home straight to win by an extending four and a half lengths. The time was an exceptional 17.61 .10s.