SWEET SIXTEEN FOR CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMP CHARLIE

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by Dan Flynn of Roma Casino, the Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 has proved one of the most followed stakes on the greyhound racing calendar in 2024 and that is because of one dog - Tuono Charlie.

A greyhound that has captured the hearts of every racing enthusiast, Tuono Charlie truly is an extraordinary talent and he duly made it sixteen straight victories in the final of the €4,500 to the winner marathon feature on Saturday night.

Trained expertly by Sharon Hunt for Paul Dyer, the multiple track record breaker came into the decider as the 2/7 favourite but his connections carried a heavy weight of pressure given the expectancy levels surrounding their brilliant son of Good News and Farronrory Bonny. That said, ‘Charlie’ ensured that there was never any need to break a sweat as he dominated from the outset once again to dip under 41-seconds for the sixth time in a row.

Donning the blue jacket, Tuono Charlie has been exemplary from traps throughout this streak and he once again bolted from his inside berth to immediately open a two length lead over Aherla Rocco in second. To the latters credit, he stuck with Tuono Charlie around the second and third bends, however, the gap really opened midway down the back straight as ‘Charlie’ asked questions his rivals simply had no answers to. At this point, Kinturk Road was improving in behind, as was Droopys Comrade, but there was no doubt surrounding the outcome of this prodigious event as Tuono Charlie was in a class of his own. Setting a scorching gallop rounding the final bend, Hunt’s charge was showing no signs of any let up as he powered across the line to seal a memorable, six and a half length victory. Droopys Comrade finished with a wet sail to claim second as he finished three parts of a length clear of Kinturk Road, who had nothing left to offer, as the time returned as a majestic 40.97. A sensational performance from Tuono Charlie and it must be noted, a terrific training feat from Sharon Hunt to produce this greyhound week in, week out.

*****

MAGS LANDS O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS TRI-DISTANCE

Aside from the Cambridgeshire, there was another handsome pot on offer as the final of the €3,500 to the winner O’Connor Julian Vets, Cashel, Tri Distance came to a conclusion.

Run over the 600-yard distance, Thats It Jack was expected to take all the beating given he smashed the 575 track record seven days prior, however, he never really got going as Canya Mags took charge early to emerge a deserved winner. A seasoned performer for David Flanagan and Imelda Sinclair, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Mags Angel got off to a fast start from her inside draw in one and she disputed the early lead with Way To Paradise in six. Thats It Jack was improving after a poor start from four, however, ran off the opening turn which left the favourite with plenty to do as a result. In contrast, Canya Mags tracked brilliantly to create daylight into the back and she led Way To Paradise and Timmys Bucks passing the sprint boxes. The latter was making brisk inroads at this point, however, the penultimate turn came too soon as ‘Mags’ shut the door on her rival to once again assert. Entering the home straight holding all the aces, Flanagan’s charge was forced to pull out all the stops close home as she once again saw off a late surge from Timmys Buck in second and Kilcolgancatchme in third. Just three parts of a length and a neck separating the first three home, the time for Canya Mags was a fine 32.62.

*****

MAASAI BREAKS 28 IN MINI-OPEN DECIDER

On a night where the top-class performances were aplenty, Geoff Parnaby turned out Tarsna Maasai, who landed the Limerick Getting Out Mini-Open 525 in sensational style.

A winner of his semi final assignment in 28.31, Tarsna Maasai is clearly a tracker with a massive engine and this was on full display as he saw off Oscar The Grouch for the second consecutive weekend. A son of Droopys Sydney and Tarsna Rose, the heavyweight emerged level from his wide berth in six, however, he excelled exceptionally in the early yards to leave his rivals for dust on the approach to the opening bend. In doing so, this allowed ‘Maasai’ to open a two length advantage over Oscar The Grouch entering the back straight and he maintained a sizzling gallop thereafter. Never under threat of being reeled in, Tarsna Maasai stayed on stoutly to cross the line two and a half lengths clear of Oscar The Grouch in second. The time, as mentioned, was a sensational 27.97.

IN OTHER RACES

The opening round heats of the Adrian Maher Vet A1/A2 525 also featured on the card and it was Grouchos Finn that set an extremely high bar for John Byrne and Shane and Luke O’Connell. The 6/4 joint favourite, ‘Finn’ broke the bars from one early doors to lead and this proved decisive as the son of Droopys Sydney and Oisins Choice crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of the fast-finishing Hopes Kitty in second. The time was 28.36. In other heats, the Evan McAuliffe-owned Drombeg Spark held off Jokers Corner to win by a neck in 28.63, while Kilcolgan Comet never saw another tail as Karen Geoghegen’s charge, trained by Neilus O’Connell, won by three lengths in 28.61.

Clipper was a brilliant winner of his last start around Clonmel and Kay and Eithne Murphy’s tracker built on that performance with another polished display. A half-brother to Clonbrien Treaty, the son of Droopys Sydney broke well from six and he showed the superior early gears to sweep the opening bend and go four clear into the back. From here, it was a routine success for Clipper as he crossed the line four lengths clear of Newport Pier in second. The time for the 7/4 chance was 29.76 for the 550-yard trip.