YOUNGSTERS IMPRESS AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were some very encouraging performances at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night as the semi finals of the Ballinahinch Boarding Kennels Unraced 525 took centre stage.

The Emer Dunne-trained Scarsdale Emer set the standard on the night as she raced to a comfortable victory at the second time of asking. The November 24’ was on the receiving end of a ping break from three and she duly took the field into the back straight. Tangling in behind saw the daughter of Dromana Bucko - Scarsdale Ella open a sizable advantage by the three-quarter mark and her 16.21 split outlined her clear ability. Staying on well thereafter, ‘Emer’ was to close out the contest by emerging a nine length winner over Slaneyside Lou in second. The time was 28.76.

The second semi final saw Marlhill Queenie double-up as she made it back-to-back wins for John and Elizabeth Hally. A strong-running performance saw her come from off-the-pace to score on debut and she again proved too strong from the halfway mark on this occasion. Drawn in six, the daughter of Swords Rex - Glenegat Mildred was headed only by Marlfield Ada, however, quickly hit the front at the halfway mark. In doing so, she drew clear in the closing stages to cross the line three lengths clear, in a fine time of 28.87.

YOUNGSTERS TO THE FORE

Race four was an A6/A7 525 contest and this saw Glenbervie Jess shed her maiden tag in good style. Winless from her two starts to date, Damien O’Regan’s bitch was an eye-catcher in defeat last time out and she showed a lovely turn of early pace from trap two to dictate early on. Outpacing her rivals down the back, the daughter of Dromana Bucko - Glenbervie Rosy had plenty in hand and despite a renewed effort from Hollyhill Wispa late on, ‘Jess’ was always in charge. Emerging a half-length winner, the time was 29.05.

Emers Julie landed race six for the Myles-Family-Syndicate. This lady was bidding to secure a second career win and she was to do so in trap-to-line fashion. Drawn in red, ‘Julie’ took a ping start from her inside berth, posting a 2.85 sectional in the process. As a result, the daughter of Head Bound - Emers Meg took a two length advantage into the back and despite a power-packed finish from Willows Diva late on, held on gamely to score by a half-length. The time was 29.03.

Over the two-bend trip, Doubtful Miami won for the first time for joint owners Don and Tadhg Moloney. A daughter of Lenson Bocko - Newinn Shifty, this lady hadn’t endured too much luck in running in her earlier starts, however, she recovered from a moderate start in two to shoot up the inside and give herself every chance on this occasion. In doing so, she had plenty in hand turning for home and duly flew home to secure a 16.36 victory, just shy of five lengths clear of Foxrock Oliver in second.