TAYLOR AND SHIVOO STAR IN THE BAR ONE RACING IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS

Barry Drake

Saturday night's racing at Curraheen Park produced some fantastic racing with a large crowd in attendance.

Romeo Taylor went quickest in the semi-finals of the Bar One Racing in association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels.

Trained by Graham Holland for David Firmager, Taylor produced a great start and he just slipped around in front of Ballycowen Bell. Moving four lengths clear to the second last corner, it was all about Romeo Taylor up front, with the battle going on in behind for the other remaining qualifying places. Droopys Polish displayed plenty of pace to storm through the pace and chase down the impressive winner. At the line, two lengths separated Romeo Taylor and Droopys Polish, in 28.41. Seek The Kingdom was best of the rest in third, two and a half lengths back.

In the opening semi-final, Crafty Shivoo was only one spot slower when winning for trainer Pat Norris and owners the M-W-D-Partnership. Making the most of the inside of the track to slip around in front at the opening corner, the classy performer sailed around in front, and with a bit of trouble for the likes of The Other Kobe, Tinnahue Pappone, and High Trend, she was soon in total control. Hazelhill Bucko turned a handy second, but there was no stopping Crafty Shivoo up front. Showing plenty of all-round speed, she clocked 28.42 when coming home three lengths clear of Hazelhill Bucko. Defending Champion High Trend was two lengths back in second.

Dynamic Force once again set the standard in the semi-finals of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 Stake. Trained by Paul Hennessy for owners Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham, the 1-2 favourite hit the front at the third corner and he pulled away beat Battling Yank, who led early, by a length and a half, in 28.35. A length and a half back to Our Dog Molly in third.

In the second semi-final, Crokers Sydney scored for trainer Vincent McKenna and owner John Croker. In a great battle throughout with Arclight Bolt, the even-money winner pulled out all the stops to land the spoils. A brave winning effort, clocking 28.68, half as length clear of the runner-up. Six and a half lengths back to Smiling Jack in third.

Outstanding, trained by Graham Holland for Susan Delaney, made an impressive winning debut in the opening semi-final of the Horgans Delicatessen Supplies Ltd Mitchesltown ON1 Stake. The 4-9 favourite led early and he pulled right away to win in style. A stunning 28.33 winning run, seven and a half lengths back to Urnotgettinghim in second place.

Singalong Rex landed the second semi-final for trainer Pat Buckley and owner Gilbert Anderson. The Decemembr puppy recovered from an ordinary start to lead before halfway and the well-backed 4-6 favourite showed plenty of pace to land the spoils. Romeo Empire ran well in defeat, just two lengths back.

IN OTHER RACES:

Local trainer Kieran Lynch enjoyed a fine double. In the second, Barlemy Cop made all to win for owner Liam Mannix. The 9-4 shot impressed when posting a career-best of 28.56 in the Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stake.

A couple of races later, Rebel Ocean completed the Lynch double with a foot-perfect display in the AAO, making all to win, in 28.28, for owner Vincent O'Keeffe.

In the tenth, A1, Aherla Rocco made the most of the drop in class to win for Jerome Crowley. Powering home, the 5-2 winner got the better of Dellser Bells, by a length and a half, in 31.14.

In the closing race, an A0, Footfield Violet (9-4) made a winning return to racing action for trainer John Linehan and owner Martin Hagan. Flying from traps, the talented performer clocked 28.44, two and a half lengths clear of Butterbridge Roy.

In the opener, Blastoff Rex proved a class apart for A2 company when winning for the Racing-Bucks-Syndicate. The 4-5 favourite ran out a smart winner, in 28.69.

***Unraced youngster Senahel Spec caught the eye before racing as the exciting prospect delivered a top class 28:28 trial run.