KACIES SETS THE GOBA STANDARD AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Four opening round heats of the Limerick & Clare GOBA 525 served as the highlight at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Kacies Beauty set the standard with a fine off-the-pace performance in heat two.

Owned by Kacie Scanlon, Kacies Beauty was without a victory since September of last year, however, she rarely runs a bad race and stuck to her task admirably last night to bounce back to winning ways. Drawn in trap one, the 4/1 chance broke well but had no answer to Tromora Lucy as she headed proceedings into the back. ‘Kacies’ had plenty on her plate entering the back straight, however, she started turning the screw approaching the penultimate bend where she improved into second. Stalking the leader late on, the daughter of Malachi - Ballyelan Josie upped the ante on the Limerick hill and she duly stormed past Tromora Lucy to secure a three-parts-of-a-length victory. The time was 28.73.

The opening heat of the night saw Blastoff Fly justify 6/4 favouritism for Philip Buckley. A winner last time out in 29.13, an 18.81 qualifying trial outlined his wellbeing and he broke smartly from four to assert early on. Pulling clear from Leamaneigh Godes at the halfway mark, the promising son of Mustang Jet - Blastoff Apache stuck to his task well to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare. The time was 29.00 and one suspects there is plenty more to come.

Heat three was landed by Sonsofardcroney, who bounced back from a troublesome passage last time out to prevail for John Byrne, George Rowan and Eoghan Mulcahy. Just a September whelp, the strapping fawn missed the kick from four, however, nestled into a favourable position rounding the opener as he sat second behind Asiam Magical. Quickly drawing alongside his rival, the son of King Sheeran - Knockmitten Bawn proved a class apart thereafter as he crossed the line eight and a half lengths clear of Asiam Magical in second. The time was 28.78 and he looks the one to beat going forward.

The remaining heat was claimed by Kevinsfort Trump for Paraic Campion and owner Peadar Kinane. Installed as the 5/4 favourite after an impressive victory last time out, the September pup broke much sharper on this occasion and he disputed early on with Athlacca Arteta in one. It proved a tight affair down the back with Paradise Honk also involved, however, the favourite shot to a clear lead rounding the penultimate bend. Thereafter, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Kevinsfort Tiger maintained a powerful gallop to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Athlacca Arteta in second. The time was 28.81.

SNUGGIE DOUBLE

Elsewhere on the card, there was a nice double for Myles Cummins as both Snuggie Tasha and Snuggie Carson landed their respective contests.

The first to prevail was ‘Tasha’ as she sealed a two length victory over Tally Ho Storm in second. The 3/1 chance arrived late to seal a two length victory, in 28.91. In the very next race, ‘Carson’ sealed the double as he made every inch of the running. Drawn in trap one, the 5/2 chance came home three lengths clear of Foyle Con in 28.74.

PROMISING DUKE

The fastest time on the night came in race ten as Lucky Duke scored in emphatic style for John Meelam and Dave Bourke.

Lucky Duke is just an October whelp but has shown huge potential after winning in 28.68 in just his second start at Cork. Coming in fresh from a rapid 18.78 trial at HQ, the strapping son of Grouchos Duke - Courty Girl duly made it back-to-back wins with a comprehensive victory over his rivals. Drawn in four, ‘Duke’ broke well to record a 1.26 sectional, before making every yard to win by two lengths in 28.59. A fine display on the night from this pup.