Nidge
sets new record on Limerick debut in flying start to Leger 2014
…by Paul Cooney
A large crowd filed into Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday
last and that special air of expectancy that only accompanies the major events
of our sport was palpable in anticipation of the imminent Classic action. These
high expectations were fully justified given the quality of performance we have
become accustomed to in recent renewals of the Kerry Agri-Business Irish St
Leger but one aspiring champion surpassed even the most optimistic of
predictions when Robert Gleeson`s Droopys Nidge set a blistering new standard
for the 550 yard trip by dominating heat 8 in a new track record time of 29.29!
He was sent to traps an odds on 1/4 favourite for a first
race outside Shelbourne Park but confidence was high ahead of his Limerick
debut having clocked a sizzling 27.95 in his preparation trial over 525 yards.
The prospect of a new track record was not immediately apparent in heat 8
however as Nidge could be seen pawing at the trap door while hare exited the
final bend ahead of his moderate start from trap 6. He paced up well in the
early exchanges and raced wide of early leader Tyrap Rush at the opening bends
before hitting the front early in the back-straight. Having claimed the lead at
this point, what followed was truly breathtaking as Nidge quickly extended his
advantage and the manner in which he smoothly galloped the closing bends was a
sight to behold.
He crossed the line with twelve lengths to spare over
Knocktoo Kingo with Stone Boy King recovering from early crowding to fill
third, a further one length adrift before the winning time flashed up on the stadium
clock and drew gasps from the stands. He reopposes Knocktoo Kingo in Heat 5
tonight in a race that appears to be at his mercy and a chance to lead on the
outside brings with it the opportunity for fast time and the possibility of
another track record is a real one. Greyhound racing`s latest superstar is best
priced 5/4 for outright honours ahead our Round 2 action, not a come and back
price and if you didn`t get on before Round 1, an investment now is not
advised. This is after all a classic, with some of the most impressive trackers
in Ireland and while the raw speed of Droopys Nidge may carry him to Leger
glory, he will face some daunting opponents as the competition progresses,
making a clear run on the outside more and more difficult…….you may yet end up
backing him at 5/4 for a single heat, never mind a classic with 48 runners
remaining!
Buckley and McPherson score opening round doubles
Though admittedly eclipsed by our new track record holder,
there was many other potential headline grabbers on the night and by the conclusion
of Heat 5, two trainers had registered a double on the card with Pat Buckley
claiming his brace through Kippers Usain and Paradise Silva. The former found
his trapping boots in Heat 2 and with smart early pace from trap 4, dominated
throughout for a three length victory in 29.90 over De Real McCoy who will have
pleased trainer Paul Hennessy greatly after a four month layoff. Paradise Silva
completed the Buckley double in Heat 4 when also breaking smartly from trap 3
and was never seriously challenged when seven lengths in advance of Ten Feet
Tall in a slick 29.62.
Paradise Silva
The opening heat on the night went to Lemon Pumba who showed
much the best early dash from trap 2 and stayed stoutly to the line despite
Dysert McCoy`s attentions at the closing bends. He also posted 29.90 in a three
length win, leaving a very good impression on his Limerick debut. Owner &
trainer Adrian McPherson registered his Leger double when guiding Honour And
Glory to a game success in Heat 5 despite a slow start from trap 3. He showed
pace on the run to the opening bend and displaying clever track sense in his
LMK debut, found racing room to claim second place at the top of the
back-straight before overhauling early leader Macho El at the third bend. He
clocked 30.21 in a one and a half length verdict over Macho El with Dromore
Premier just a neck further back.
Mixed fortunes for strong outright fancies
Contrasting fortunes for runners with real classic pedigree
was no more evident than in Heat 6 where Derby finalists Emers Superstar and
Borneo came face to face once more and the impressive Limerick record of the
Gerry Holian trained Emers Superstar proved the deciding factor as he put the
race beyond doubt with an explosive burst of early pace to claim the inside
pitch at the bend despite a tardy start from trap 4. He impressed all with his
smooth gait throughout a nine length victory over Parish Hero. Borneo however
made his exit from the competition when caught widest of all and suffering the
consequences of first bend bumping, leaving him with too much ground to claw
back.
Liam Dowling will have been pleased with the opening effort
of his Derby fourth Vulturi despite defeat in Heat 10 when again showing
impressive back-straight pace on a circuit that suits his strong running style.
The story of this heat though was the sparkling return to his favourite track
by James Roche`s Ballyana Foxtrot. He produced a fast sectional from trap 5 and
scorched to a seven length lead midway along the back-straight before ceding
much of his advantage to the strong finish of Vulturi but a classy 29.62 puts
the local charge firmly back in classic contention.
There was contrasting performances also from our two 2013
finalists as Graham Hollands General Wolf again displayed his prowess at
Limerick by leading at the first bend in Heat 3 with smart early pace after a
good start from trap 1. He defeated a game Glideaway Con by one length in 29.91
with three lengths further back to Jackal Frampton in third. Last year`s fourth
however, Skywalker Farloe looked far from his brilliant best in Heat 7, running
wide off the second bend and the Easter Cup winners usual strong challenge from
halfway failed to materialise when fourth to a impressive performance by
Michael Kiely`s Shaneboy Frankie. He drew gradually clear following a level
break from trap 3 and was never seriously threatened in a three and a half
length defeat of Hawaii Kinsale with Burgess Rumble a close third.
Regular patrons of Limerick were sent home happy following
our concluding Heat 11 as two track favourites filled the forecast places with
Tim Gilbourne`s Cloon Glory showing his local knowledge at the first bend for a
rails run and a lead on the inside of Barefoot Apollo. He galloped to a one and
a half length win in 29.97 over Paudie Ryan`s Hannabil Rising who again
produced his now trademark power finish to claim second having been last into
the back-straight.
Box office Nidge tops the bill in Round 2
There can be no doubt that Droopys Nidge is the star
attraction of Round 2 and the prospect of lowering his track record is a
mouthwatering one. There is however much more for the racing palette to
salivate over and Heat 3 will see a heavyweight clash between Metro Jack and
Vulturi. Both can fly from the second bend and a clean run race could bring an
epic back-straight shoot out between the pair while the presence of Shaneboy
Frankie with his early pace adds spice to an already sizzling heat.
Heat 7 brings two impressive round 1 winners together with
Kippers Usain in trap 1, which may be crucial in the early battle for supremacy
with General Wolf on his immediate outside while the early paced Macho El adds
intrigue to that first bend rush as he can trap very smartly from trap 3. A
possible return to top form for Elevenerife, now with his Limerick debut behind
him, further complicates matters as he may get a clean run on the outer from
trap 6.
Pic: Kippers Usain can use the red jacket to good effect!
These are just some of the possible headline makers in our
eight second round heats but with the safety net of a fourth qualifying place
now gone, expect to see the major outright contenders lay down markers
throughout tonight`s action in the 2014 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger.
Outright Betting
Droopys
Nidge 5/4, Vulturi 5/1, Paradise Silva 8/1, Ballyana Foxtrot 11/1, Emers Superstar 12/1,
16/1 Skywalker Farloe, General Wolf.
20/1 Kippers Usain.
25/1 Blenhiem Cracker, Metro Jack.
33/1 Jackal Frampton, Barefoot Apollo, De Real
Mccoy, Shaneboy Frankie, Honour And Glory.
50/1
Millbank Stevie, Burgess Four, Burgess Oscar. 66/1 bar
