SUBLIME LIVES UP TO HER NAME AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

An eight-race card featured at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and the performance of the night saw Ashleem Sublime live up to her name with a commanding display to dip under the 29-second barrier.

Running in an AO/A1 contest, the field may have been reduced to just four runners, however, the performance was one of real quality from Ashleem Sublime. Owned by the Feel-Good-Racing-Syndicate, the September ’24 whelp is proving something of a Thurles specialist and she was chasing a third win from her last four starts when lining out in trap one. Breaking only moderately from her inside berth, she used the draw to her advantage as she turned neck-and-neck with Borna Bantam in six. While the latter edged clear at the midway point, his lead was short-lived as ‘Sublime’ motored back up the inside to take charge at the penultimate bend. In doing so, the daughter of Head Bound - Myahs Friend stayed on with real authority, powering up the Thurles hill to record a convincing four-length victory. The time was a brilliant 28.90 .40s.

BUNDEE BOLTS UP

Elsewhere on the card, there were a number of notable performances, none more so than that of Shallee Bundee in race three, the Kasko Unraced Sept 19th S4/S5 330.

Owned by the S-D-B Syndicate, Shallee Bundee was returning from a layoff but produced a career-best effort, improving by over twelve lengths on his re-qualifying clock. Drawn in three, the heavyweight son of Ballymac Cashout wasted no time at traprise, pinging the lids to immediately assert over his rivals. Tracking expertly thereafter, he quickly turned the contest into a procession and eventually crossed the line nine lengths clear of Cabra Cairo in second. The time was a brisk 17.83 .20s.

ELSEWHERE

Head Of State doubled his career tally in the curtain-raiser as Paraic and Catrina Campion’s runner also made every post a winning one. Drawn in four, the son of Boyhero - Ask The Lady took a flyer but was immediately asked questions by the advancing Giddyup Ellie on the run to the opener. However, the brindle quickly slammed the door shut before storming up the hill to record a three-length victory over Cabra Katara in second. The time was 18.14 .20s.

In race two, Cabra Chief produced a good performance for Paddy Scally as he secured a seventh career victory. Drawn in trap two, he produced his customary fast start to lead Boozed Akela into the back straight. The latter pressed the leader throughout and looked poised to strike, however, Cabra Chief showed fine battling qualities to hold firm and cross the line one length clear in 29.12 .40s.

Race five saw Some Adventure also give the 29-second barrier a shake as Michael Healy and Pat Leahy’s September lady won for the third time in her career. Moderately into stride from trap five, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Crescent Tibet showed superior early speed to lead on the run-up and she held a couple of lengths in hand entering the back straight. From there, ‘Adventure’ began to draw clear off the final bend as she showcased terrific stamina to emerge an eight-length winner over Excess Cash in second. The time was 29.08 .40s.

Race six on the card saw veteran Cabra Cooper score for the twelfth time for Billy and Harry Corcoran. Leading throughout from trap three, the son of Pat C Sabbath set a strong gallop before seeing off Group North Star by five lengths in 29.81 .40s.

TAYLOR AT THE DOUBLE

Two of the remaining races saw Kim Taylor record a fine kennel double, the first leg arriving courtesy of Two Shores in the penultimate contest.

Drawn in red, the strapping daughter of Jacob Tashadelek broke well and scraped the paintwork to take a commanding advantage into the back straight. From there, there was never a moment’s worry for Taylor’s charge as she romped to a six-and-a-half-length victory in 29.85 .40s. Shortly afterwards, Whirl completed the double for Taylor and also dam Breathtaking. Just an August whelp, Whirl arrived late on the scene as she reeled in her rivals, staying on strongly to secure a half-length victory over Monadreenperfect in second. The time was 29.50 .40s.