SWORDS DIAMOND A CUT ABOVE RIVALS IN PRODUCE STAKES OPENER

Peter Farrell

The first round heats of the €20,000-to-the-winner National Produce Stakes got underway at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, and there were several notable performances, none more so than Swords Diamond, who set the standard in exceptional fashion.

Forty-eight greyhounds went into the hat for the 2026 renewal, and by all accounts it already looks a red-hot Classic. Swords Diamond came into the event off the back of a blistering 18.54 clocking at Shelbourne Park over the two-bend trip and, although facing his toughest test to date, he won emphatically to firmly establish himself as the one to beat going forward.

Owned by Barbara Lowndes, Swords Diamond went to traps as the 6/4 favourite and the September pup wasted no time from trap three, breaking brilliantly to post a rapid 2.80 sectional. In doing so, the son of Swords Rex and Glenegat Mildred quickly outpaced his rivals on the run-up and, entering the back straight, held a commanding four-length advantage over Nicky Swithin in second. It was effectively a one-dog affair from that point, with ‘Diamond’ powering into the third bend to record a slick 15.83, underlining his dominance to the halfway mark. Sawdust Barry did catch the eye in defeat, staying on well to claim second, but he finished eight lengths adrift of an exceptional winner in Swords Diamond. The winning time of 28.14 capped a sensational display from this rising star.

DEZ DOUBLES UP FOR HOLLAND

A double for Graham Holland on the night was sealed by Shotgun Dez (King Sheeran - Danish Robyn) in the concluding heat.

One of the outright favourites at the outset of the Classic, the Pat Muldoon-owned fawn was sent off the 4/5 favourite and made no mistake early, flying from trap one before steering a middle course on the run-up. Opening up a four-length advantage into the back straight over Riverside Rex in second, the latter emerged as a real threat approaching halfway as he began to close on his kennel companion. A 15.87 sectional underlined the quality of Shotgun Dez, however, and he always had just enough in hand to repel Riverside Rex, holding on by a half-length in 28.61.

QUICK-FIRE DOUBLE FOR O’DONOVAN

Another kennel to enjoy a fine double on the night was that of Michael J. O’Donovan, with Cushie Flytplan getting things underway in impressive fashion.

Jointly owned by John Codd and Diana Brodie, Cushie Flytplan had performed admirably in the recent Kirby, so it was no surprise to see the 15/8 chance prevail from a favourable draw in trap one. That said, he showed another string to his bow, coming from off the pace to score. Canya What made the early running, setting a strong gallop and opening up a three-length lead into the back straight over both Cushie Flytplan and Glengar Phantom. The eventual winner, however, showed tremendous pace approaching halfway, quickly eating into the deficit before collaring his rival at the penultimate bend. Staying on strongly thereafter, the son of Droopys Flytline and Fatboyz Storm powered up the hill to see off Canya What by a length and three-quarters in 28.48.

In the very next heat, Heat Two, Hackney Dancer landed a four-dog affair in comfortable fashion. Sent off the 4/6 favourite, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Miss Mini Moll, owned by the Hackney-Boys Syndicate, broke well from his trap one berth but was immediately challenged by Callaway Danny in the early stages. A real duel developed down the back straight, but ‘Hackney’ asserted approaching the three-quarter mark, pulling clear with authority. Staying on in good style thereafter, he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Daketchupman in second, stopping the clock in 28.42.

VIVARO MAKES-ALL

Kenneth Busteed was represented by the rapid Vivaro Warrior (4/1) in Heat Three, and he continued his upward trajectory by going one better than his second-place finish last time out.

Kirby finalist Jaykay Fly was sent to traps as the 4/5 favourite in this contest, but he had no answer to Vivaro Warrior on the run-up, the latter breaking smartly before powering clear. Holding a three-length lead entering the back straight, Jaykay Fly did break from the pack to give chase, but Vivaro Warrior was always in command. Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, the fawn son of Deerjet Sydney and Right So Belle was professional in the closing stages, crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Jaykay Fly in second, in a time of 28.42.

IMPRESSIVE MARQUESS

Second best on the clock on the night was Jennifer O’Donnell’s Scooby Marquess, who secured a fourth win from his last five starts in Heat Four.

Owned by Steve Noble, Scooby Marquess went to traps as the 9/4 second favourite behind Newinn Spot (6/5) and broke well from trap one to edge his market rival on the run-up. In doing so, the son of Grangeview Ten and Scooby Duchess quickly asserted, stretching out impressively down the back straight to pull clear of Newinn Spot, posting a superb 15.81 sectional in the process. With the result effectively settled at that stage, Scooby Marquess maintained his effort well on the run for home, coming home with four lengths to spare over the staying-on Oriental Prince in second. The winning time was 28.36.

SAM CAUSES AN UPSET

Ardfert Sam went to traps as a 5/1 chance in Heat Six and the Brendan Maunsall-trained runner duly brought up a sixth win from his last seven starts.

A greyhound in peak form, Ardfert Sam donned the striped jacket and made no mistake at traprise, breaking sharply to take control in the early strides. Sweeping around the opening bend, he established a commanding advantage into the back straight and, at halfway, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Ardfert Josie, owned by Joe Nash and Kathleen Clifford, was four lengths clear of Berlin Trilogy. From there, the outcome was never in doubt, as ‘Sam’ maintained a strong gallop to the line, coming home two and a half lengths clear of Powerhouse Major in second. The winning time was 28.72.

WINSOME WINS WELL

Droopys Winsome was sent to traps as the 7/4 favourite in the penultimate heat of the night and the Murt Leahy-trained runner made it back-to-back wins, coming from off the pace to score.

Owned by John Coleman, Droopys Winsome looked in trouble in the early stages after missing the break from trap one, with Titanic Brads appearing certain to lead after a sharp start from trap three. The complexion of the race changed at the opening bend, however, as Titanic Brads encountered significant trouble, allowing ‘Winsome’ to take full advantage along the inside and move into a prominent position. Firstpastthepost led down the back straight, but Droopys Winsome was quickly in pursuit and closed the gap with ease before striking for the front at the penultimate bend. From there, he asserted in decisive fashion, the son of Pestana and Droopys Onestop powering clear to cross the line with six lengths to spare over Firstpastthepost in second. The winning time was 28.42.