TROMORA CROSS owned by Quilty’s David Hogan justified top billing to win the unraced final in Limerick.
The O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance was the main focus at the Limerick Track on Saturday Night last. In the supporting card, there were two unraced finals up for grabs and the first of those saw Tromora Cross (Ballymac Cashout – Tromora Merkle) justify his 4/5 billing for owner David Hogan of Quilty.
After managing only fourth in debut, the January blue bounced back in fabulous style as he recovered for a tardy start in two to sit second early doors. The leader at this point was Cherrygrove One in four, however, he ran off the opening bend, in turn leaving the door wide open for Tromora Cross. Thereafter, Hogan’s charge didn’t need a second invitation as he galloped to a commanding lead down the back, before charging home to win by seven and a half lengths. The time was 29.10.
The semi-finals of The On Faya Kennels Galway Oaks, The Crafty Kennels Novice 525 and the Stephen Molloy Memorial A1 525 were all down for decision on Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium.
The fourth contest was an A3 graded 525 and racing towards the opening bend Island Bobby showed pace from his trap five berth to lead from Bumblebee Milan and Confused Kiely. Rounding the bend Island Bobby led by a length from Bumblebee Milan as Confused Kiely switched outside the leader turning down the far side. Racing towards halfway Island Bobby still led but the Ger Manley of Cratloe owned Confused Kiely was now looming large on the outer and sweeping to the front approaching the penultimate corner the son of Magical Bale and Laban Fairy took command of the contest and although Island Bobby tried hard Confused Kiely was a length too good at the line in 29.27.
Saturday’s opening contest was an S8 graded sprint contest and all six runners came away on terms but almost immediately the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained Alva Chase broke rank as he quickly opened up a two length lead on his rivals racing towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend Alva Chase led Killaruss Jet by two lengths with Gower Eileen in third place but off the home bend the Declan and Gerard Lillis of Cooraclare owned son of Jaytee Taylor and Luna Rocket drew further clear to score by four lengths from Gower Eileen in 19.55.
Without a win in her eight previous attempts although badly baulked in her last two the Clare natives John Collins and Albert Long owned Brickhill Aurora never saw another rival in this A5 graded contest as she impressively made all to defeat Crokers Dinny by six lengths in 29.10. Very smartly into her stride the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes showed pace to the bend rounding which she led Crokers Dinny and Creevy Crystal by over two lengths. Racing down the back the leader gradually increased her advantage and as she exited the back straight her supporters were queueing up at the payout window as she strode up the straight all alone.
The finale was an S4 graded sprint packed with genuine sprinters but it was over as a contest at the opening bend as from traps the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained Tiermana Dream was like lightening from his trap three berth and approaching the turn the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty led Nashville and Burkos Tarzan by over three lengths. Racing between the two bends the tearaway leader extended his advantage to the delight of owners The Zero Zero Syndicate as their pride and joy made it three wins from just five starts by five lengths over Nashville in 18.87.
