ANOTHER BIG POT FOR STARSON FRANKIE AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

There was a handsome pot of €2,500 on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the final of the Old Creamery Bar Hospital AO 525 took centre stage and this went the way of Starson Frankie, who landed his second big stake in the space of six months.

Owned by Pat O’Connell, Starson Frankie landed his first big pot back in August 2024 as he won the €3,500 to the winner Con Murphy Bookmakers A1 525 and after showing signs of a return to his very best in recent weeks, he put it all together in the decider to win comfortably.

Coming into the event, Highview Ben and Foxwood Rip were disputing favoritism, however, there was a fitness cloud hanging over the latter as he bid to maintain his unbeaten record and this was evident in the early stages of the contest. In contrast, it was Gulleen Ina that took her customary flying start from three to lead, while Starson Frankie quickly got his engine roaring in the early exchanges to sit just a neck back in second. Holding his inside line in two expertly, ‘Frankie’ powered to the front passing the sprint box and the son of Explosive Boy and Hazelfield Echo motored into a one and a half length advantage at the penultimate bend. The race for second was very much on as Highview Ben and Rich Pursuit matched strides and they still had reason for optimism given their strong running capabilities come the business end of proceedings. However, it wasn’t to be for the latter duo on this occasion as Starson Frankie showed no signs of surrendering his lead. A generous 7/2 chance prior to the off, O’Connell’s charge was relentless in staying on stoutly to record a one and a half length victory over Highview Ben in second. It was a further one length back to Rich Pursuit in third as the clock returned a rapid 28.29 .10f, which was fitting time for what was a thoroughly competitive stake.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR HOMER

Prior to the main event, the final of the €600 to the winner Limerick Stadium ON2/3 525 served as the supporting act and this was landed by Kevinsfort Homer, who incidentally sealed a quick-fire double for Peadar Kinane and John Byrne after landing the opener with litter brother, Kevinsfort Hardy.

After Kevinsfort Hardy (4/6) ran out a most impressive eleven length winner of the curtain raiser in a fast 28.94, optimism was high of a similar performance from Kevinsfort Homer the decider. Installed as the 6/4 joint favourite alongside Blastoff Heffo, he too was to emerge an easy winner as he made it back-to-back wins for connections. A son of Malachi and Kevinsfort Tiger, this tracker was quickest into stride from three and he put the contest to bed early on when opening a handsome lead. In doing so, ‘Homer’ powered his way to victory as he crossed the line four lengths clear of Grangeview Scoob in second. The time was 28.91 .10f.

IN OTHER RACES

In race four, Abigails King justified his 6/4 price tag with a second career victory for Abigail Morrissey. ‘King’ had been keeping very nice company of late and this was a welcome drop in class for the son of King Elvis and Superb Beauty. Running from four, ‘King’ took a rocket start from his middle berth and this allowed him to open a three length advantage down the back. Maintaining a strong gallop, Morrissey’s charge extended his lead to four lengths crossing the line, in a fast time of 28.65 .10f.

There was a fine performance over the 550-yard trip in race seven as Call Me Quick never saw another tail for Gerry Horgan. Now into her fifth year, this lady clearly still possesses big pace as she pinged from trap six to comfortably lead on the outside. In doing so, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Cloneyogan Flash drew clear of her rivals to emerge a comprehensive, four length winner over Tyrap Magic in second. The time was 29.82 .10f.

In the concluding contest on the card, Pat Buckley got in on the act as Singalong Rex made his first start of 2025 a winning one. Owned by Gilbert Anderson, ‘Rex’ was the 6/4 favourite at the off and he made his intentions clear at traprise when showing the superior early pace to breeze to the front. Holding a three length lead down the back, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Mystical Luna proved a class above thereafter as he romped to a three length victory over Getup Me Boy in second. The time was a brisk 28.49 10f.