KELLY SETS THE STANDARD IN WILLIE MAHER MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Willie Maher Memorial A3 525 got underway at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it was Slippy Kelly that set the standard with a fine display for Patrick Ryan.

A competition that is sure to produce some hugely competitive action at Thurles over the coming weeks, the opening round heats certainly give patrons value for money and it was Slippy Kelly that went quickest in heat two. Installed as the 6/4 jolly, the May whelp won over the extended 570-yard trip last time out and was swiftly into stride this time around, suggesting it was going to take an almighty effort to reel in the stayer. Holding a four length lead over Borna Polly entering the back, the gap never decreased thereafter as the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Unlikely Babe powered her way to a four length victory, in a time of 29.02.

HEAT WATCH

Not too far behind in terms of the clock was the heat six winner, Mayas Baby. Owned by Claire McKenna, this experienced lady was without a win since July of last year, however, the 2/1 chance put that particular stat right with a trap-to-line effort. Running from trap three, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Mayas Friend bolted from the boxes to comfortably lead into the back and at this point it was Miss Mini Belle who set off in chase. Comfortably holding her rivals thereafter, Mayas Baby raced to a thoroughly impressive victory, crossing the line three lengths clear of Canya Mags, who came through well for second. The time was 29.09.

In the opening heat of the night, Long Spartacus made it three career victories for Brian Doyle and Michael Donnelly. A February 22’ whelp, this tracker certainly knows his job and he was expertly into stride from trap three to lead early doors. From here, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Bangla Road drew clear of Borna Thyme in second and he powered up the Thurles straight to record a five length win over his rival. The time was 29.17.

The most convincing win of the night, in terms of the winning margin, came in heat three as Aegean Panther raced to a virtual solo. Owned by Roger Brereton, the 5/2 chance broke with rapid intent from trap six and she quickly made her way to the rails to round a comfortable leader. Holding an already unassailable lead into the back, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Lady Lewis never relented in coming home ten lengths clear of Syds Button in second. The time was 29.25.

Listen Ellie was chasing a fifth career victory in heat five and she too made light work of her rivals in emerging a convincing winner for Patrick Maher. Running from trap one, the 5/2 shot broke well but was outpaced in the early stages as Aegean Allstar got his head in front. However, her rails berth proved a major advantage as she slipped around in front after trouble on her outer and thereafter, it was all one-way traffic for the daughter of Skywalker Luke and Newlawn Tracker. Setting a strong gallop in the second half of the contest, ‘Ellie’ came home six lengths clear of Hows Things Now in second. The time was 29.26.

The remaining heat was landed by the even money favourite, Unanimous Jax. Trained by Murt Leahy for the Good-Times-Ahead-Syndicate, this tracker boasted some smart Kilkenny form coming into the event and despite sitting three lengths adrift entering the back, there was still a certain inevitability regarding the result. It was Tarsna Gem that set the pace, however, ‘Jax’ motored alongside the leader at the midway point, in doing so displaying an eye-catching turn of speed. Taking control thereafter, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Trudy held Tarsna Gem by one and a half lengths crossing the line. The time was 29.41.

AZEMAN HAS A FUTURE

In the midst of the Willie Maher Memorial action, it would be remiss not to mention a special performance from the Dave Bourke-trained Azeman in an A5 525 contest. Owned by Javier Jarne, the August puppy had some brilliant qualifying form to his name, however, was luckless in his first two career starts around Enniscorthy and Kilkenny. However, the choicely bred son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze, who incidentally is a full brother off a repeat mating to Ballymac Wild, put things right in the most impressive fashion. 6/4 at the off, in truth this was never a contest as the prospect broke smartly from trap four to quickly create daylight on the run to the opening turn. Thereafter, it was a formality for the classy brindle as he manufactured an unassailable lead down the back before staying on expertly to win by a solid twelve lengths. The time was an exceptional 28.96 and expect to hear more from this tracker in the coming weeks and months.