HOLIAN DOUBLES UP IN TIPPERARY CUP SECOND ROUND

Peter Farrell

After a strong opening round of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup, the action intensified at Thurles Park on Saturday morning, with a series of impressive displays across the second-round heats, highlighted by a notable double for the kennel of Gerry Holian.

It didn’t take long for Holian to get off the mark as he sent out a shock 16/1 winner in the opening heat through Fleeting Moment. Owned by The-Dream-Catchers-Syndicate, this greyhound had shown useful form around Galway but could only manage fifth in the opening round, explaining his double-figure odds. Made To Measure headed the market at 6/4, ahead of 5/2 joint-second favourites Bogger Tommy and Boozed Wish. As expected, the early pace came from Bogger Tommy and Boozed Wish, who immediately disputed the lead on the run to the opening bend. Bogger Tommy edged ahead initially from trap one, but Boozed Wish produced a strong burst of back-straight pace to assume control approaching the third bend. With both front-runners vulnerable to stronger finishers, Fleeting Moment began to emerge from the pack and steadily closed around the final two bends. The son of Coolavanny Calvn and Fleeting Angel timed his challenge to perfection, rallying late to deny Boozed Wish by a short head. Bogger Tommy dug deep to stay on well for third and secure his place in next weekend’s semi-finals. The winning time was 29.15 on a track rated 40 slow.

INDIAN DOUBLES UP

Gerry Holian completed his double in the third heat as Indian Mist (Ballymac Cashout - Ballymac India) caused another upset, scoring at odds of 4/1.

Following his impressive 28.71 effort in the opening round, Oriental King was an understandable 6/4 favourite, but he was unable to match the early pace of Indian Mist. Owned by Brian O’Donnell, the winner broke sharply from trap two and seized control at the opening bend, avoiding the congestion that developed behind him. Oriental King gave chase throughout, but Indian Mist maintained a relentless gallop and stayed on strongly to score by a length and a half. Paulstown Cash finished a further length away in third as the clock returned a smart 28.77 .40s.

BRILLIANCE FROM BILLS

Separating the two Holian victories was the fastest performance of the second round, produced in impressive fashion by Bills Harbour (Grangeview Ten - Rafas Friend).

Despite a below-par effort in round one, Droopys Map was sent off the 6/4 favourite from a tricky draw in trap five. However, his chances were all but ended at traprise after a sluggish start left him with plenty to do. Bills Harbour, meanwhile, made full use of a clear passage along the rails from trap one and quickly established control, turning with a three-length advantage over Tarsna Blaze. Bogger Bob was always prominent and the strong-running Select Stakes winner soon moved into second as he set about reducing the deficit. However, Bills Harbour had already done the damage. Owned by Battie O’Connor, the 6/1 chance maintained a strong gallop throughout and, while Bogger Bob closed late, the leader was never seriously threatened as he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear. Droopys Punch secured the final qualifying position in a sizzling 28.64 .40s.

RANGER ASSERTS

The concluding second-round heat also produced a major upset as 14/1 outsider Goldmine Ranger secured just the second victory of his career for owner Dick Purcell.

Oriental Prince, a dominant winner in 28.63 in the opening round, was sent off the razor-thin 3/10 favourite but saw his chances compromised almost immediately after becoming involved in crowding with Patterdale Timmy at the opening bend. Deecee Pa took advantage to move into contention along the rails, but Goldmine Ranger soon swept past entering the back straight. Once in front, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Goldmine Lily never looked in danger, showcasing his trademark stamina to pull clear and score by two lengths. Lemon Herbie filled the runner-up position, while Oriental Prince recovered admirably from his early setback to claim the final qualifying place in third. The winning time was 29.01 .40s.