Greyhound Racing: Rex rampant in Saturday Thurles best

Commencing the action at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday last, the standard set by Ann Taylor’s Cashel Rex (Malachi-Ballacolla) in the opening A5 525 would not be surpassed for the remainder of the fixture as the smart pup gained due reward for his competitive career start.

Five trio placings in seven outings had preceded this first race victory for the May 2021 whelp but the application of a middle seed this time looks likely to remain as the Taylor pup maintained a true line in the early stages from trap 6 and in pursuit of the fast trapping Cherry Hinton on the run to the corner, displayed smart pace on the outside while turning before striking the front off the second bend.

Very much catching the eye along the backstraight, Cashel Rex continued to draw clear throughout a dominant maiden win, posting 29.34 (-30) in an eight and a half length verdict over the running-on Lisdaleen Range.

A runner making a very welcome return to the winner’s circle on Saturday, the Malachi @ Stud in Droopys Stud A4 525 saw Tommy Morrissey’s Errill Daithi (Toolatetosell-Security) register the eleventh win of his career in typically strong running style.

With a host of placed efforts since last successful in A2 grade, the July 2019 whelp was well housed on the fence but bested for early pace, reached the second bend with all rivals ahead as Kilvil Robert just cut out the running. However, always within five lengths of the lead, the Morrissey winner impressed when ranging up on the inside of runners nearing the closing bends and raced on the tail of Kilvil Robert to the home stretch.

Remaining on the rail as fellow strong stayer Athlacca Taylor flanked the early leader on the run to the line, Errill Daithi proved strongest when forging a two length winning margin in most game style, stopping the clock in 29.73 (-30) with Athlacca Taylor second.

Next best while closing out the action on the Saturday fixture for the second week in succession, the Feelgood Racing Syndicate’s Gealltanas (Good News-Turree Kate) completed a very smart hattrick of victories at the Premier venue while extending her highly promising career start.

Breaking on level terms from trap 6 in her A3 525 contest, the April 2021 whelp displayed the best early dash while advancing to a one length lead at the opening bend before extending further clear when sweeping the turn at pace. Three lengths to the good over Motown Massie at halfway, it was Murlens Mustang who posed the biggest threat at the third bend when closing to a length but strong at the standard trip, Gealltanas kicked clear once again on the run to the home straight.

Repelling a rallying Motown Massie with five lengths to spare, the winner posted 29.77 (-30).

Another runner in fine form at Thurles, David Walsh’s Tribal Council (Ballymac Best-Warm Breeze) will seek a hattrick of his own next time out having backed-up his latest A5 victory by landing the Broadstrand Bono @ Stud A4 525.

Ably coping with his small upgrade, the January 2021 youngster was slow to stride as the widest of six inside seeds but resisting any early move to the inside, advanced beyond rivals to race third around the bends. Narrowly showing in second place approaching halfway, the Walsh winner had over six lengths to recover on the trail blazing Cabra Doobie but rapidly reducing those arrears in the latter stages, reeled-in the long-time leader on the run to the line for a one length verdict over a gallant Cabra Doobie in 29.88 (-30).

A third A4 contest on the night, the Coolavanny Hoffa @ Stud 525 delivered a third career win for Pat & Brian Kennedy’s Kind Soul (Dorotas Woo Hoo-Nametab Gigi) when getting up close home in a thriller.

Slow to stride and last throughout the early exchanges, the August 2020 whelp advanced to fourth at the second bend but still had a strong five lengths to recover on leader Montore Phill. Little changed until the closing bends when the separating margins closed and rounding rivals on the approach to the home stretch, a sustained and strong staying effort from Kind Soul delivered a thrilling shorthead verdict over fellow strong runner Errill Cindy in 29.93 (-30).

Charlestown best in Pa’s Bar with double for Walsh
Saturday also brought the commencement of the Pa’s Bar, Upperchurch, A6 525 Stake and just about setting the standard in the concluding heat of three was Paddy Brennan’s Charlestown (Dorotas Wildcat-Princess Aine). Shedding his maiden tag at the third time of asking, the lightly raced November 2020 whelp led from the opening bend in a five length defeat of Rathfalla Lexi in 30.03 (-30).

The remaining heats were claimed by Orlaith Dooley’s Fast Command (Belles Direction-Classy Ebony) who also claimed a first race victory when striking the front at the third bend in her one and a half length verdict over Foxrock Abbey in 30.16 (-30) before David Walsh sparked his Saturday double in the remaining heat.

Before Tribal Council scored for the Donohill kennels later on the card, comrade Rapper Queen (Ballymac Best-Warm Breeze) announced her claims in the A6 sweepstake when shedding her maiden tag in strong running fashion. Headed in the early exchanges, the Walsh winner caught the eye when advancing from third at the second bend to strike the front entering the closing bends. Staying stoutly, Rapper Queen posted 30.08 (-30) with two lengths to spare over On The Wildside.