JAPAN STRIKES LATE TO LAND EPIC SIS CAMBRIDGESHIRE DECIDER
Peter Farrell.

While most eyes were drawn to Shelbourne Park last night for the final of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby, there would have been plenty of interest in proceedings at Limerick last night also as the final of the €5,000 to the winner, SIS Cambridgeshire was down for decision.

The SIS Cambridgeshire has produced some top-class action in the past month at Limerick stadium and last night’s decider proved another epic as Jaytee Japan, after playing the bridesmaid on his three previous outings, took charge late on to land the spoils on the night that mattered most.

GLENGAR SETS THE PACE

Newcastle Slaney came in for much support in the lead up to the race and as such, he was installed the 6/4 favourite to take home gold with Jaytee Japan and Dana Point next best as joint 2/1 second favourites. As expected, Glengar Bale dictated proceedings early on as he pinged the lids from trap five to take a length and a half lead into the opening bend from the perfectly housed Jaytee Japan on the rails. Meanwhile, Newcastle Slaney, despite making a slow start, was much closer to the pace than in previous outings and the race was coming to the boil nicely.

STRONG CHALLENGES

Entering the home straight for the first time, Glengar Bale has opened a sizable advantage over Jaytee Japan with the lead now extended to five lengths rounding the top bend. However, the complexion of the race was to change entering the penultimate turn as Jaytee Japan, who was showing outstanding gears, was forced to check when challenging for the lead and Glengar Bale once again took a length advantage turning for home. Further back, both Newcastle Slaney and Dana Point were flying and both greyhounds looked a huge threat with fifty yards remaining.

HEARTACHE FOR SLANEY AS JAPAN TRIUMPHS

Glengar Bale still maintained a slender advantage as the winning line loomed large but he was sitting duck as a trio of greyhounds were breathing down his neck in behind. Most notably, the well-supported Newcastle Slaney looked a huge threat at this point as he, along with Dana Point, had built up ahead of steam on the outside, while Jaytee Japan had also got back into contention to hold the freedom of the rails on the inside. This move proved decisive for Jaytee Japan as with a tiring Glengar Bale drifting wide on the run home, this badly hampered both Newcastle Slaney and Dana Point, and it was Jaytee Japan who enjoyed a clear passage to land the prodigious prize for connections. A brilliant performance from John Turner and Paul Hennessy’s charge, who recovered well from third bend traffic to come home a length clear of the staying-on Dana Point in second. The time was 41.88 and many thanks are extended to SIS for their sponsorship of the event.

EDENCURRA SETS THE STANDARD IN LIMERICK 600

Elsewhere on the card the opening round of the Limerick A1 600 got underway and it was Edencurra Brae who recorded the fastest clock of the round in heat two.

Edencurra Brae (Kinloch Brae - Edencurra Cannon) showed what he was about throughout the Tipperary Cup at Thurles last month and he produced a scintillating display to land heat two in style. Jointly owned by John Murray and Michael Spillane, Edencurra Brae is a strong running type but he broke best of all from trap three to lead Yellow Bricks into the opening corner. It was very much a two-dog affair thereafter as the duo battled it out with little to separate them approaching the final turn. However, Edencurra Brae, a 6/4 chance, is as tough as nails and he held firm to seal a length and a half success over the impressive Yellow Bricks in second. The time was a brilliant 32.35.

Meduza justified her 9/10 starting odds in the opening heat of the night. Trained by John Byrne for John Meelam and Sean Ryan, Meduza went very well in the Golden Muzzle earlier in the year and she once again found herself in control from the outset from trap one last night. A stout stayer, the daughter of Good News and Jaytee Osprey was never under any threat and she powered to a three and a half length success over Down An Hour in second. The time was 32.60.

It was another case of out and gone in heat three as Strides Banjo (Scolari Me Daddy - Farranrory Miska) made every inch of the running to see off the fast finishing Gunboat Premier. Trained by Sharon Hunt for Alan Brazier, Strides Banjo came away racing from trap one and he proceeded to set a smart gallop throughout the contest. However, Gunboat Premier represented a huge threat in the closing stages but despite his best efforts, Strides Banjo, a 2/1 market chance, pulled out all the stops to cross the line a length clear. The time was 32.64.

In the fourth heat of the night Liscanny Ruby scored a fifth career success with a comfortable victory for owner Emma O’Ryan. An extremely consistent sort, Liscanny Ruby broke well from six and despite Fire Height Maid disputing early doors, the 3/1 chance took control down the back straight. From here, it was a routine night’s work for the son of Ballymac Vic and Effin Got Talent as he stayed on strongly to come home five lengths clear of Fire Height Maid in second. The time was 32.81.

Heat five saw an exciting finish as Glowing Exile came from off-the-pace to deny Rockburst Mike. It was the latter who took control early from trap six and the Jerry Griffin-trained dog looked a likely winner given his strong running abilities. However, Glowing Exile came through runners and the Andrew Lynch-owned bitch flew home to cross the line a length and a half clear of Rockburst Mike in second. The time was 32.99 for the 7/2.

There was another off-the-pace performance in the final heat of the night as the Pat Guilfoyle-trained Ardera Edge (Head Bound - Mayo Daisey) relished every inch of the stiff 600-yard trip. It was Athlacca Chorus and Text Sharon who made the early running but taking charge midway down the back, Ardera Edge, owned by William Brennan, drew clear to come home three lengths clear of Bob Olinger in second. The time for the 6/4 favourite was 32.88.

IN OTHER RACES

In other races, Good Times Again led from trap to line in race ten as he ran to a virtual solo for trainer Jerry Griffin. Seeking just his second career win, the son of Good News and Shehasitall was swiftly into stride wearing the red jacket and he never looked back as he crossed the line eight lengths clear of Rockalong Sierra in second. The time for the 2/1 shot was a super 28.66.

There was a lot to like about the performance of Hannon (Good News - Beakstown Dazl) in the penultimate race of the night for joint owners Denis Hayes and Michael O’Ryan. Seeking a third win from his last four starts, Hannon was sluggish into stride from trap six but he tracked brilliantly at the opening couple of bends to give himself every chance. From here, it resulted in a routine victory for Hannon as he hit the front at the penultimate bend before staying on strongly to claim a nine length win over Selinas Blubelle in second. The time was 28.85.

There was another scorching run in the concluding race of the night as Glengar Magpie made it three wins on the spin for owner Larry Enright. After coming from off-the-pace in each of his last two starts, Glengar Magpie, a 3/1 chance, trapped smartly from one and he took the field into the back straight. Maintaining a powerful gallop thereafter, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Glengarbadminton had a length and a half in hand over Parody at the winning line. The time was a rapid 28.70.

GLOSS AND CO REALLY SHINE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

While the crowd may not have been as big as normal for the opening round of the SIS Juvenile Derby due to government restrictions, there was a good buzz at Shelbourne Park on Friday night as the stars of the future produced run after run of the highest quality.

Mark O’Donovan delivered with an impressive double but the headlines went to Murt Leahy’s rapidly improving Droopys Gloss as she confirmed her status as one of the fastest in the country when posting a fastest of the night 28.06 on her way to a tremendous success.

SCARLET IN A THRILLER

There was a desperately tight finish to the opening heat of the Juvenile Derby but Beaming Scarlet (Garryvoe Bobby/ Beaming Shiraz) got the verdict when reeling in long-time leader Cricket Wall.

The latter disputed the lead with Droopys Soldier early but drove the bend to move clear.

With Droopys Soldier checking wide, Beaming Scarlet found herself with room to race along the fence and she moved second as they entered the back straight. Cricket Wall looked a very likely winner but Corona Ryan’s Beaming Scarlet began to bridge the gap into the third turn.

As they turned for home, Beaming Scarlet was on the leader’s heals. Droopys Soldier also drew closer and the trio had a great buckle up the straight. In a thrilling finish, Beaming Scarlet got up to see off Droopys Soldier by a short head in 28.59. Cricket Wall was just a neck away in third.

ACE BY NAME, ACE BY NATURE

Serene Ace was an electric winner of the second heat as he blitzed his rivals to the third turn before coasting home a comfortable winner in a sizzling 28.11.

Eddie Ryan’s son of Scolari Me Daddy and Boleys Ace couldn’t have been much more impressive.

Flashing from traps, he built a clear lead to the opening bend and extended his advantage all the way to the third turn where he stopped the clock in a magnificent 15.73. Droopys Optimum did show plenty of pace to recover from a slow start. Moving second down the back straight, he closed on the leader to the line but Serene Ace ran out a very comfortable winner by three and a half lengths. Cricket Wicket stayed on to grab third a further three lengths adrift.

SPIRIT COPIES HIS BROTHER

Crokers Spirit, a litter brother to Serene Ace, landed Heat 3 with a fine display.

Roxholme Duke went up fast to hold a narrow lead but Crokers Spirit stayed tight to the fence and slipped through to take over before they entered the back straight.

Roxholme Duke continued to give chase down the back straight but Crokers Spirit is a real talent and he maintained a strong gallop to the line to run out a fine winner over his pursuer by two and a half lengths in 28.34. Grangeview Mac stayed on well and was just a neck adrift in third. 

CAVANI WITH THE TAP IN

Heat 4 was certainly an eventful contest with Deadly Cavani (Droopys Sydney/ Lemon Lucy) taking advantage in the latter stages when the opportunity arose.

Re Sure displaed fine early speed to lead the field into the turn from Deadly Cavani and seemed a very likely scorer when his nearest pursuer checked wide as they entered the back straight.

Iso Fantastic moved second, be it three lengths behind Re Sure. That gap quickly closed as they hit the third turn, however, and the whole complexion of the race changed before the final bend with Iso Fantastic drifting wide to hit the leader.

Suddenly, Deadly Cavani was left in front for Garry Hannon and Karol Ramsbottom. Jerrys Stag was advancing, as was Magical Mary, but Deadly Cavani dug in to land the spoils by a half length from Jerrys Stag with Magical Mary the same distance away in third.

FABULOUS CHRIS IMPRESSES

Feora Chris made a wonderful Dublin debut in Heat 5 when showing far too much pace for his rivals.

Glory Katy broke fastest from the inside draw but Con Guiney’s Feora Chris displayed fine early speed to join and head his rival into the bend.

Once going to the front, the exciting son of Droopys Sydney and Feora Inish was always in complete command. Pulling clear down the back straight, the December whelp put the result beyond any doubt. Glory Katy continued to give chase throughout but there was no catching the leader. Feora Chris went on to hit the line four lengths to the good over the always pursuing Droopys Katy in 28.29. Legal Thriller flew home to take third spot a further two lengths back.

RED-HOT GLOSS GOES FASTEST

Droopys Gloss sent out a clear and pretty emphatic warning that she is amongst the very best in training in Heat 6 as she reeled in the fast starting Off The Pitch to post a stunning fastest of the round 28.06.

Off The Pitch again displayed his trademark early speed and set a really strong pace to the third turn but he was always under severe pressure when Droopys Gloss turned second.

Closing on the leader into the third turn, John Coleman’s daughter of Coolavanny Jap and Droopys Talia chose the right moment to make her move. Waiting until the leader moved off the final turn. Droopys Gloss charged up the inside of the track to emerge a brilliant three length scorer. Feora Noel ran a fine race in third, just two lengths further back.

DUKE DELIVERS IN REAL STYLE

After scoring with Serene Ace earlier in the evening, Mark O’Donovan completed a tremendous double in Heat 7 with Coolavanny Duke posting an identical time to his kennel companion.

Making a flying start from the inside box, Basil and Bernadette Holian’s son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Royce had a solo out front.

Benalmadena Roxy displayed plenty of pace behind the leader to grab second in the second half of the contest but Coolavanny Duke was simply too good for his rivals. Showing superb pace throughout, he emerged a facile five and a half length scorer in a rapid 28.11.

SPINOSAURUS NO LONGER A MAIDEN

There was a big shock in the penultimate heat with Good Cody failing to qualify after a slow start and clipping the fence at the second bend.

Instead, Spinosaurus lost his maiden tag in tremendous fashion as he came home in front for Owen McKenna, Peter Comerford and Tony Moore.

The inexperienced Hey Lassie set a strong gallop into the bed but Spinosaurus was right in her slipstream in second spot and, staying to the inside of the track, took over at halfway.

Once going to the front, the powerful son of Droopys Jet and Allen Comet was never going to be stopped. Gaston Pecas emerged as his nearest rival in the closing stages but Spinosaurus went on to score by four and a half lengths in a quick 28.23. Hey Lassie was another two lengths adrift in third. 

JOHNNYBOY KEEPS ON DIGGING

Lenson Johnnyboy continued his rise up the ranks in the final heat with a determined display of front running.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Austin Whelan and Len Ponder, the son of Sparta Maestro and Burgess Dancer was soon in front and he just kept on pulling as his rivals seemed to be applying pressure.

Russian Glory displayed big pace to move second into the third turn and press the leader but Lenson Johnnyboy had no intention of letting his lead slip. Staying on well, the January whelp emerged a good winner by a length in a very useful 28.38.