NALA’S STUNNING DEBUT THE FASTEST EVER?

Ian Fortune

The track was clearly in good nick at Shelbourne Park on Friday night but few would have expected to witness history as they made their way to the famous Ringsend venue.

But that’s exactly what we saw when Mystical Nala won on debut in the semi-finals of the Book Your Christmas Party Open Unraced Bitch 525.

After posting some superb times in qualifying, she was sent off a 1-3 favourite for the second heat and duly obliged in professional fashion. But the real story was her winning clock. Making every inch for Eoin Troy and Pat Guilfoyle, the daughter of Dromana Bucko and Mystical Luna emerged a seven-length winner in a sensational 27.98.

Not only had she broken the magical 28 second barrier at the first attempt, but she also earned the distinction of being the fastest debutant in Irish greyhound racing history. We stand to be corrected but we can’t remember any going faster than Skywalker Canny’s 28.03 debut at Curraheen Park in July 2019.

If you can remember any others going as fast or faster, why not contact us at news@grireland.ie.

STYLE IMPRESSES

The opening heat was also won in good fashion by Maid Of Style. Last of the five runners in the early yards, she displayed real track craft and ability to slip through along the fence to go second entering the back straight.

The fast starting Drombeg Petsy was clear at this point but Joe Devlin’s Maid Of Style displayed fine pace and strength to close rapidly into the third turn. Shooting to the front at this point, the daughter of Swords Rex and Shes Ordinary raced right away to win by eight lengths from the early leader in 28.66.

STORM AND ROCCO GO FAST

There were numerous impressive runs on the card.

Outside of Mystical Nala, Jacktavern Storm went next fastest over the standard trip, making all for Shaun Conway to win in 28.12, while Grangeview Rocco continued his fin run of form to claim a well-deserved win in the final over 550yds. Michael Hogan’s tracker led early to win by three lengths in 29.34.

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