VELVET TOUCH FROM LAGATHA AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

While there was no sweepstake action on offer at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, there were some superb performances across the nine-race card, the pick of which came from Velvet Lagatha in the Sporting Press Online A0/A1 525.

This lady had caught the eye with her brilliant finishes in the recent O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance at Limerick and, in truth, once she turned second early on in her Clonmel assignment, it was always going to take a monumental effort to deny Deyse Buckley’s runner a fifth career victory. Drawn in two, the 5/2 chance shot from boxes but was narrowly edged out by Foxrock Laura on the run-up. That advantage was short-lived, however, as ‘Laura’ checked up, allowing Velvet Lagatha to establish a five-length lead at the halfway mark. Stopping the third-bend sectional clock at a rapid 16.15, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger - Velvet Spring stayed on in her customary strong fashion, powering clear to emerge an eight-and-a-half-length winner over Stage Freddie in second. The time was a blistering 28.44.

Next best on the clock came in race four, an A1 contest, as Boozed Foxy made every inch of the running for Paraic Campion, in turn sealing a third career victory. Drawn in her favoured red jacket, the 5/2 chance exploded from boxes and led her rivals a merry dance into the back straight. Setting a scorching gallop to the three-quarter mark, the daughter of Boyhero - Vivaro Salsa posted a sensational 16.03 to the third bend. While Freeway Max certainly made late inroads into her advantage, the damage had already been done as Boozed Foxy crossed the line a two-and-a-half-length winner in a slick 28.54.