Preview Rd Two

2017 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial………………………The story so far!

In only it’s fifth year, The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake has become an integral feature of the greyhound racing calendar and ingrained itself in the mind of every participant in the sport, to the point where the mere utterance of the word “Kirby” now immediately symbolises excellence in all aspects of our sport.

We have seen brilliant winners of the event over the past four years but also seen many who failed to gain ultimate “Kirby” glory emerge later in their careers as supreme exponents of the art having graduated from Limerick’s newest feature event. Our past renewals have housed Derby winners and Oaks winners along with sires who are set to have far reaching influence on the sport. Having witnessed a wonderful opening round session on Saturday last, 2017 will be no different!

Sizzling Shea sets the standard

There was some remarkable achievements among our twelve heats last week but stealing the limelight and promoting himself to a tie for outright favouritism with the fastest victory of the night was Vancouver Shea. The Fraser Black trained middle seed had given notice of his immense promise at Shelbourne Park late last year and confirming the suspicion that he was a serious contender for outright honours, scorched to a brilliant 28.35 when overhauling Jaytee President on the back-straight for a three and a half length verdict in Heat 6. The latter lost little in defeat here having displayed brilliant early pace which can prove a potent weapon in the event and heads Paul Hennessy’s challenge in pursuit of his first Kirby title.

Redoubtable Dowling delivers a 4-timer

Liam Dowling may have lost Ballymac Fidora from the opening heat but his night would have little other down side thereafter as the victory of Borsalino in Heat 3 when leading home Ivy Hill Blitz in 28.92 would be followed by three further impressive Round One successes for the Kingdom trainer.

Ballymac Laughil

Fellow graduate from the Juvenile Classic in Tralee, Toocoolforschool proved ideally suited by his draw on the fence when leading throughout to claim Heat 5 in 28.80 before the brilliant Coolavanny Pet established herself as the fastest bitch of the round with a gutsy effort to overhaul the lead at the closing bends in Heat 7. Liam did admit to favourable draws aiding his runners at this point of the night but Coolvanny Pet looked imperious when posting 28.51 regardless of a suitable draw in Trap 1 when containing the powerful Jaytee Barracuda. 

Completing the quartet, the famed Ballymac prefix was again to the fore in major competition action as Ballymac Laughil dominated Heat 9 in impressive fashion. He hit the back-straight in front and faced a daunting opponent when Leger runner-up Native Chimes pursued him at close range. Completing an impressive one and a half length victory in 28.76 however, the July whelp left a pleasing impression!

Doubles for Buckley and Holland

Unluckily seeing three of his eight entries housed in Heat 1, Pat Buckley’s representatives dismissed the danger of elimination when filling the tri-cast positions. Benetekes Bocko posted fast early splits when leading home the strong staying Killinan Rosie and Droopys Cabaye in 28.61. Completing the double for the Cappawhite trainer, Droopys Pogba led home Crossfield Jock in Heat 8, posting 28.67 in a slick early paced display.

Graham Holland would register the first leg of his double in Heat 2 when Rackethall Jess gamely kept her unbeaten record intact. A strong stayer at the trip, she mowed down kennel companion Clobrien Hero in the shadow of the post with a solid 28.71. The Golden trainer added to a successful opening night in Heat 10 when well fancied Drive On Tipp justified his place in the market, comfortably leading home Nitro Notorious in a forecast for the kennels. From a suitable draw in Trap 1, he laid down an impressive marker in 28.64.

Having introduced a €5000 prize for the last bitch standing in 2017, it was then hugely pleasing to see a hat-trick for the girls on the opening night and adding to the victories of Rackethall Jess and Coolavanny Pet, Brendan O'Shea's Crossfield Kate reinforced the ladies claims for outright honours when dominating Heat 11 from trap rise. Never in danger after a smart break from Trap 5, she completed a three and a half length defeat of Burgess Dubh in a classy 28.53.

Market leaders can double up!

Fraser Black

Disputing favouritism ahead of Round Two, Vancouver Shea and Drive On Tipp appear to have found pleasing draws which can aid their attempts to remain unbeaten in the event. The former will contest Heat 4 as the sole seeded runner in Trap 6 and a repeat of his adept start from last week can ensure clear passage on the outside which would surely suffice in a heat where all remaining runners have claims to progress.

Likewise, a Trap 3 berth in Heat 7 appears ideal for Drive On Tipp to outpace both Higher Level and Springwell Josie on the run to the bend which should bring victory thereafter ahead of a competitive tussle for qualifying places which may ultimately go to Jaytee Samurai and Droopys Giroud.

The Dowling kennels may have enjoyed suitable trap draws a week ago but the fastest bitch of the event, Coolavanny Pet, will have a very different view from traps this week having drawn Trap 6 in Heat 2. The widest of six inside seeds, this will be her first time to wear the striped jacket and she may be forced to battle for a qualifying position unless breaking smartly. Conversely, an ideal draw in Trap 1 for Peter Cronin’s Cometwopass makes him the percentage call in a highly competitive affair.

Having garnered many admirers in his brilliant Irish St Leger runner-up performance, Native Chimes will seek a return to winning ways from Trap 2 in Heat 3. However, he will need to improve on last week’s showing for victory as the run to the bend could prove complicated with early pacer Rathnasnare Champ on his outer and the much respected Droopys Dresden on the rails. Ideally housed to claim this heat from a much more suitable draw is Droopys Pogba in Trap 6. Expected to lead on the outside, he can get first run at likely leader Rathnasnare Champ before the third bend and makes plenty of appeal.

Trainers with multiple entries remaining: Pat Buckley 6 (of original 8), Paul Hennessy 6 (8), Graham Holland 6 (7), Liam Dowling 5 (6), Owen McKenna 3 (3), Peter Cronin 2 (3).

We begin Round Two with just 8 seeded runners; 6 Middle and 2 Wide while eleven of our original 13 bitch entries survived Round One.

Selections: Heat 1- Lughill Robbie Heat 2- Cometwopass Heat 3- Droopys Pogba Heat 4- Vancouver Shea Heat 5- Bentekes Bocko Heat 6- Hovex Mick Heat 7- Drive On Tipp Heat 8- Jaytee President

Betting: 8/1 Drive On Tipp, Vancouver Shea 9/1 Native Chimes 10/1 Bentekes Bocko 14/1 Droopys Dresden, Nitro Notorious, Burgess Dubh, Hovex Mick, Coolavanny Pet 16/1 Cometwopass, Allen Tank, Frankies Lady, Droopys Giroud, Droopys Pogba

20/1 Borsalino, Clonbrien Hero, Ballymac Laughil 25/1 Jaytee President, Crossfield Kate, Hazel Mixture, Lughill Robbie, Allen Junior, Toocoolforschool, Jaytee Samurai, Droopys Cabaye, Higher Level, Rackethall Jess, Brandyandbaileys, Jaytee Barracuda 33/1 Bar