As ever, http://grgracing.blogspot.ie/ will provide the most comprehensive coverage of the 73rd Irish Greyhound St Leger to be found anywhere either in press or online. Race card previews and analysis of each round with extra split times only to be found here.
2016 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger………….The story so far!
A month of enthralling action in the Kerry Agri-Business
Irish St leger has brought all the thrills and spills that accompany the
classic events of the sport as another stellar cast of entries for the
concluding classic event on the racing calender brought together some of the
most formidable Open racers for one last tilt at classic glory in 2016.
From the outset, patrons were treated to exceptional
performances and igniting the St Leger litmus paper on our opening night was
Jaytee Dutch when scorching to an eight and half length defeat of Theres The
Bell in a brilliant 29.56. His trainer Paul Hennessy, now chasing his fourth
Irish St Leger in all and a third since moving to our new venue on the Dock
Road would exit Limerick on that opening night with the two fastest runners of
the event as his young superstar Priceless Brandy was next best on the clock
with 29.58. The latter however left a lasting impression when defeating Leave
At Dawn by three lengths despite a poor start and some second bend crowding,
promoting himself to joint favouritism in the process.
 |
| Priceless Brandy with Susan Hennessy |
Carrying the favourite’s mantle into the first night was Pat
Buckley’s English Derby finalist Lenson Rocky and he too would justify his
billing when claiming Heat 10 in professional manner. Leading to the opening
bend, h
e completed a two and a half length victory over Native Chimes, who
displayed impressive pace throughout, in 29.75. The win formed part of Round 1
double for the Buckley kennels as Coolavanny Pat had scored victory in the
preceding heat when posting 30.00.
Graham Holland has been the hottest trainer in the classic
events throughout 2016 and he too would give notice of his St Leger intentions
on night one when his brace of brilliant bitches too provided a heat winning
double with Irish Derby finalist Sidarian Pearl leading the way. Presenting
fresh and at her imperious best, she was never seriously threatened when
dominating the concluding Heat 11 after a fast break, defeating a game High St
Jesse by five and a half lengths in 29.69.
The first leg of the Holland double
came when Ballinakil Clare claimed Heat 6 in similarly dominant fashion. Also
coping competently with a middle draw in Trap 4, her early pace carried her to
a first bend lead which allowed safe passage throughout her six length success
over a staying on Rockbay Captain in 29.82.
Arguably the most well received result of the night came in
Heat 2 when Limerick kennels filled the forecast places as Denis Kiely’s Shaneboy
Russell stole an early march on Tim Gilbourne’s Gulleen Billy with smart pace
on the run to the first bend. A three length lead on the back-straight was
enough to see the former home in a polished display over the strong running
Gulleen Billy, by two lengths in 29.79. The remaining heats were claimed by
Peter Cronin’s Sab Miller who held the more fancied Highview Event by a head in
29.83, Boherash Messiah who held the same margin over Swithins Brae in 30.02,
the same time recorded by Burgess Popeye when claiming Heat 8 after Combo
Sidney posted 30.65 in a troubled opening heat.
Big kennels to the fore in Round 2
With the luxury of generous qualifying conditions now gone,
it was no surprise to see the competitions leading trainers dominate the
results table with doubles for the Sheila Spillane & J.J. Fennelly
partnership as well as trainer Graham Holland and a brilliant treble for Pat
Buckley but it was again Paul Hennessy who left with the fastest runner of the
2016 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger when Priceless Brandy confirmed his
status as an Irish Greyhound Racing superstar with a sublime display of
imperious pace while scorching to 29.53 in Heat 5.
The young Kilkenny kennel
star led home a high class tri-cast in the race when overhauling compatriot
Jaytee Dutch on the back-straight despite finding a poor break from Trap 2. The
manner in which he dismissed the challenge of that exceptionally talented rival
was a sight to behold and he justifiably ascended to outright favouritism at
7/2 having led home an eye-catching Irish Oaks winner Witches Belle by three
lengths.
The Buckley treble on the night came through Coolavanny Pat
who led home the pacey Swithins Brae by two and a half lengths in 29.84 before
Droopys Punk produced a career best when repelling Leave At Dawn by half a
length in 29.83. That same winning time saw Lenson Rocky as one of six runners
to remain unbeaten at this stage when completing the trio with four lengths in
hand of Ballymorris Diva.
The highest profile elimination of the round was undoubtedly
Graham Holland’s Sidarian Pearl when suffering crowding before a fall in a heat
which was claimed by kennelmate Highview Event. The latter used his impressive
early pace to provide some compensation with a smart 29.76 success. The chances
of a Holland bitch claiming the St Leger remained on track however as his
Ballinakil Clare confirmed her well-being in the closing heat with another
slick display over Native Chimes who again showed big pace in defeat despite
going down by three lengths in 29.68.
Completing the set of eight winners who all came from just
four kennels was the Sheila Spillane & J.J. Fennelly duo of Burgess Dubh
and Burgess Popeye as the latter remained unbeaten in the event when producing
a brave display to land Heat 4 in 29.88. Burgess Dubh brought up the double in
Heat 6 when he recovered from a tardy start which left him in an unpromising
fourth place off the second bend. Powerful back-straight pace however saw him
range up on the hind quarters of the leaders before just denying Creamery Bale
by a shorthead in 30.18.
Turbulent Quarter-finals change Leger complexion
 |
| Peter Cronin with Swithins Brae |
Beginning the quarter-finals as master of her own fate,
Graham Holland’s brilliant bitch Ballinakil Clare entered the semi-finals as
the only unbeaten runner of the competition. Again showing her adept breaking
abilities from Trap 2, the 2016 Oaks finalist ensured safe passage by again
leading to the opening bend before completing a dominant victory over a strong
staying Chillmark Chaser by five lengths in 29.64, the fastest time of the
night.
It then seemed more than a touch dismissive when the bookies
boards read 20/1 alongside the name of Peter Cronin’s Swithins Brae ahead of the
second quarter-final and although missing his break, the powerful early pacer
forced his way to the front off the second bend to inflict defeat on Jaytee
Dutch by one and a half lengths in 29.84. Another gaining his first win in the
event at this stage was Native Chimes when the pup defeated Burgess Dubh by a
neck in 30.13 after an epic duel despite both missing their breaks. A big
casualty here was Witches Belle who met with repeated bumping when just failing
to sweep the opening bend in front.
Outright favourite ahead of the round, Priceless Brandy also
had his St Leger participation under threat in the closing heat when his tricky
Trap 4 draw saw him trailing in fourth place on the back-straight. Rachel
Wheelers High St Jesse was claiming her reward for consistent good performances
with a two and a half length defeat of Arclight Bolt at the business end of the
race as the favourite was made to pull out all the stops, keeping his campaign
alive in third place.
Record breaker Brandy back with a bang
Peering out from the same Trap 4 that brought such a scare
in the quarter-finals, Priceless Brandy this time found a much improved break
to ensure a clear run to the first bend in the second semi-final. Displaying
smart early pace, he swept the turn with two lengths in hand and the St Leger
favourite had victory secure before even reaching the back-straight.
What
followed however was a sublime display of power when galloping in isolation
throughout an eleven length victory and it was clear that our track record was
about to come under threat when this young superstar continued to move strongly
in the home-straight.
Stopping the clock at 29.26, he claimed his new track from
Droopys Nidge who had posted 29.29 in this event two years ago and adds this
accolade to his 525 yard record at Kilkenny. Confirming his place at the top of
the market, he led home Native Chimes who again showed big pace in second and
the wonderfully game Country Legend who will now contest his second major final
at Limerick.
 |
| Leave At Dawn |
The opening semi-final was claimed by Peter Cronin’s
Swithins Brae in similarly dominant fashion. Finally getting to grips with the
Limerick traps, he produced his best start of the event to lead Jaytee Dutch by
five lengths at the top of the back-straight. Leading throughout, he posted a
smart 29.61, two lengths ahead of Jaytee Dutch who gained ground from halfway
in a strong staying performance. An intense battle for the final qualifying
place was settled by Leave At Dawn in the dying strides when admirably
recovering from much crowding to deny Graham Holland a finalist, catching
Highview Event in the shadow of the line.
THE FINALISTS
 SWITHINS BRAE Improving throughout the competition, Peter Cronin’s
exceptional early pacer Swithins Brae has graduated into a formidable open
racer in this year’s St Leger. Struggling to find his best break, he used his
natural pace to negotiate his way to qualifying positions in the opening two
rounds before recovering from a tardy start to score victory in his
quarter-final. However, this young pretender finally managed to break on
terms in the semi-final and he returned a sparkling performance which if
repeated now would certainly bring a bold bid for glory. In that scenario, it
would require a clear run for even our favourite to reel him in close home
and he is a live contender at 4/1. |
|
 NATIVE CHIMES Johnny O’Sullivan’s big and powerful Native Chimes has
garnered many admirers in this year’s St Leger since displaying exceptional
raw speed when contesting just his fifth career race in our opening round. In
each outing since, he has wowed with eye-catching pace at various points of
the circuit while still learning his trade. His achilles heel now however is
his lack of breaking prowess. That may come in time and he looks a future
superstar of the sport but on the evidence of his previous heats, he is
likely to be trailing on the run to the bend, from where victory would prove
difficult. His win claims however become much greater and very realistic if
he can find an improved start. 10/1. |
|
 COUNTRY LEGEND The outsider of the field, Maurice Heffernan’s Country
Legend has been a favourite of Limerick patrons since reaching the final of
the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial in 2015. A wonderfully game performer, he
also reached the semi-finals of this event last year and has this time plotted
his way to the final when staying strongly to find a qualifying place,
sometimes from highly unpromising scenarios. He will be finishing as fast any
again tonight but lacks the early pace of his rivals and appears likely to
simply get too far behind before kicking into top gear. It will require a
fast break which we have not seen for some time if he is to cause a shock
now. 25/1. |
|
 PRICELESS BRANDY Our deserving favourite, Paul Hennessy’s Priceless Brandy
is the fastest runner over 550 yards to ever grace the new Limerick track
following last week’s phenomenal track record performance. Finding an
improved start then, it would appear that a repeat of that start is all that
will be required. However there are concerns for those willing to take the
short price and Brandy must repeat that good start to ensure an early clear
run with a lively kennelmate on his outer that can move well to the bend.
However, any opposition to Brandy in the market would be speculative and this
brilliant superstar of greyhound racing thoroughly merits his favourite tag
and will convert if securing a clear run. 4/9. |
|
 JAYTEE DUTCH A kennel companion to the favourite, Paul Henessey’s
second finalist Jaytee Dutch has been a model of consistency throughout the
competition. Fastest on the opening night, he would hold real claims if
repeating that level of performance now. However, he seemed to lack that same
spark in two subsequent defeats, including when outpaced by Priceless Brandy
on the back-straight in Round 2 which would temper confidence ahead of the
final. That said, he appeared to be approaching top form when showing strong
pace behind Swithins Brae last week having suffered crowding and if he can
build on that now, still holds claims of victory. He has been breaking well
at Limerick, and consistently so. An inside seed, he will drift towards the
inside but not dramatically and if breaking better than Priceless Brandy,
which he often does, his win chances will increase greatly. 5/1. |
|
 LEAVE AT DAWN Along with Country Legend, Brendan Matthews’s Leave At
Dawn has plotted his way to the final without a heat victory. However, a
consistent performer at the highest level, his strong pace from the second
bend has seen him produce impressive placed efforts, round on round. Often
tight for room at the opening bends, he will need his very best break to hold
win claims here but if doing so, can find further advantage from a highly
favourable draw. He will race in isolation on the run to the first bend and
if the five inside seeds were to become embroiled in crowding, his ideal draw
could prove the catalyst for final shock. If on level terms off the second
bend, it would take a strong effort to repel the game stayer. An outsider
with a chance at 14/1. |
The Verdict
With any big race, the key to deciphering the likely result
is to first establish the runners who are most likely to secure clear passage. However,
following the phenomenal track record performance of Priceless Brandy last week
there are two more pertinent scenarios to consider ahead of this final. The
first of these is the one where Priceless Brandy breaks well and in that
situation the outcome will become very clear, very quickly.
If we fully
subscribe to that theory the final becomes a one dog race but in this sport, we
know only too well that all six finalists always have claims of victory.
Staying with our favourite, he must break well to ensure a
run and the pressure is on for him to produce that now for his own kennelmate
Jaytee Dutch on his immediate outside has been starting well throughout the
competition. Should the favourite find himself a half a length or more behind
Jaytee Dutch from traps, he could see his racing room rapidly diminishing on
the run to the bend, bringing with it the chance of first bend trouble.
Possibly one of the best drawn runners on the fence is
Swithins Brae in a heat that contains five inside seeds. A slick early pacer,
he has highly realistic claims to command affairs on the inside and appears
almost guaranteed a clear run if finding an adept break. Improving with every
outing in the event thus far, his are realistic claims of victory if Priceless
Brandy did find any early complications which makes Swithins Brae a plausible
alternative for those unwilling to take the short price about the favourite.
 |
| Favourite Priceless Brandy |
The claims of Jaytee Dutch too must be given some
consideration for of all the finalists, he is the most consistent from traps.
All evidence suggests that he will hold a prominent position approaching the
bend and if he turns first, he would cause a compression of runners behind and
prove very difficult to reel in thereafter.
Overall, Priceless Brandy is extremely hard to oppose and
with slow starters Country Legend and Native Chimes on his inner, it is more
likely than not that he can find sufficient racing room to assert his dominance
on the back-straight, or even earlier. He along with Swithins Brae and Jaytee
Dutch are likeliest to enter the back-straight in the tri-cast positions with
Swithins Brae possibly splitting the Hennessy runners at the line. Verdict:
4-1-5
Clare
goes in for the Kil in eventful Q/final session………paul cooney
The classic events of greyhound racing are so called
because they are pinnacles of the sport and require any aspiring champion to
maintain form while repeatedly facing only the strongest calibre of rival in
round after round of unforgiving sporting challenges at the very highest level.
There are no hiding places for any prospective Irish St Leger winner who must
display the ability to somehow find a qualifying place from unpromising
positions, a ruthless thirst for victory when opportunity comes their way while
taking full advantage when offered the opportunity to eliminate their closest
threats.
Our twelve remaining semi-finalists in the 2016 Kerry-Agri
Business Irish St Leger have already displayed a abundance of these
essential qualities but an eventful session of heats last Saturday night will have reminded connections of all that there is no place for error at the final qualifying hurdle now having come through quarter-final heats where many outright fancies were unceremoniously eliminated.
Beginning the quarter-finals as master of her own fate,
Graham Holland’s brilliant bitch Ballinakil Clare enters the semi-finals as the
only unbeaten runner of the competition. Again showing her adept breaking
abilities from Trap 2, the 2016 Oaks finalist ensured safe passage by again
leading to the opening bend before completing a dominant victory over a strong
staying Chillmark Chaser by five lengths in 29.64, the fastest time of the
night. A high profile casualty here was Razldazl Tierna who missed his break and
suffered at the closing bends when Leave At Dawn gamely forced his way to third
when staying strongly.
Cronin’s Brae lands 20/1 shocker?!
Flagged up on these pages as the competition’s fastest early
pacer, it seemed more than a touch dismissive when the bookies boards read 20/1
alongside the name of Peter Cronin’s Swithins Brae ahead of Heat 2. Granted, he
faced some of this season’s most impressive Open racers in a stacked and treacherous
contest but for a select few punters, this was a gratefully generous gift, if
appearing unlikely when he missed his break!
 |
| Peter Cronin |
Green and naive, Native is still gifted
Johnny O’Sullivan’s Native Chimes has correctly garnered
many admirers in his St Leger campaign thus far and displaying phenomenal pace
a various points of the circuit, the January 2015 pup gained a hugely deserved
victory in Heat 3 despite once again producing a tardy start from Trap 1. His
early pace saw him flying at a tightly packed field approaching the first bend
where he inevitably bumped Hulla Villa on his outer. A further thump was
imminent from Burgess Dubh who was now arriving on his inner having trailed all
following his poor start from Trap 2.
With benefit of the inside however, this pair would dominate
affairs to the back-straight and were locked together before Native Chimes
began to assert approaching the closing bends. A length to the good when
straightening for the line, the pup was all out to repel Burgess Dubh at the
line when just managing to prevail by a neck in 30.13.
 |
| Unlucky Belle bade farewell |
Filling third place here was Country Legend and Maurice
Heffernan’s strong stayer will now contest his second St Leger semi-final on a
circuit where he has excelled in the past when also reaching a Con & Annie
Kirby final in 2015.
Brandy made to battle behind Jesse
Favourite backers would get no respite from the quarter-final
shocks in our closing heat as red hot fancy Priceless Brandy became the latest
outright contender to see his St Leger aspirations under threat when failing to
produce a good start from his tricky Trap 4 draw. Conversely, Rachel Wheeler’s
game bitch High St Jesse used her suitable draw in Trap 2 to command the inside
rail in the early exchanges and repelling Arclight Bolt, turned first before
forging to a decisive back-straight lead over that same rival.
Bumping in behind saw Homepound Dream in third with the
favourite facing a three length deficit if he was to remain in the competition.
Up front, High St Jesse was maintaining her strong gallop when posting 29.87 in
a two a and a half length defeat of Arclight Bolt as Priceless Brandy gamely
produced a powerful finish to claim third at the closing bends.
SEMI FINAL 1
1) Jaytee Dutch 2) High St Jesse 3) Arclight Bolt 4)
Swithins Brae 5) Leave At Dawn 6) Highview Event
The two best drawn runners here are Jaytee Dutch and
Highview Event which is a huge advantage and they are natural starting points
in a very tricky heat. It is fair to say that the former again appeared below
his brilliant best last week despite breaking well, which throws a question
mark over his current form. However he is trapping well, can secure a passage
on the rails and looks booked for a qualifying place. Highview Event may have
been behind him last week but merits big respect here as he can use his early
pace to aid his claims of a clear run on the outer by leading Leave At Dawn to
the bend.
The big question is whether Peter Cronin’s Swithins Brae can
break on terms, something he has failed to do in three heats thus far. If he
did, he would be the likely winner but taking past performance as the best
predictor for the future, he will find himself a length adrift in the early
strides before rushing at the leaders between runners at the bend. In that
scenario, this heat becomes almost impossible to predict where the pleasing
draws for Dutch and Highview Event become hugely significant. As does the Trap
2 draw for High St Jesse who is likely to track Jaytee Dutch to the first bend,
sneak a run on the inner and be in contention at the top of the back-straight.
The percentages dictate that these provide the most reasonable solution in
search of the tri-cast but in reality, all runners have claims to reach the
final. Verdict 6-1-2
SEMI FINAL 2
1) Native Chimes 2) Chillmark Chaser 3) Burgess Dubh 4)
Priceless Brandy 5) Country Legend 6) Ballinakil Clare
It is difficult to select a well drawn runner here, let
alone a winner for uncertainty surrounds the likely early behaviour once traps
open. The clear favourite for the heat must be Ballinakil Clare as the only
unbeaten runner of the competition and the most reliable early pacer, in superb
form. But how will she perform from Trap 6? There is little doubt that she will
seek to move left, how dramatically so will depend on how fast she breaks. She
has once raced from Trap 6 in her career and that was when being eliminated
from the Con & Annie Kirby here in March!
So what happens closer to the rails? Native Chimes is a
monster but he has still not mastered trapping. He will be flying at the
leaders approaching the bend but what will he find in his way? He has been seen
to move towards the middle to get a clear sight of the hare behind runners and
that can bring trouble, so he is hard to adamantly recommend. Another who needs
to sharpen up at traps is Priceless Brandy but this week, he can definitely be
the master of his own fate for the runners either side of him will not match
his early pace, if he can find anything close to an adept break which offers
real win claims now.
It is difficult to rule out Ballinakil Clare in her current
form and she is included in the Trio but the likeliest first bend scenario here
is Chillmark Chaser on the inside of Priceless Brandy with Clare either
dominating after a fast break or at least upsides that pair. The scramble
thereafter can see Priceless Brandy back to winning ways with the bitch safely
qualifying ahead of Native Chimes whose raw speed is taken to somehow find a
way to qualify. 4-6-1
BETTING: Priceless Brandy 9/4, Ballinakil Clare 9/2,
Jaytee Dutch 5/1, Burgess Dubh 10/1, Swithins Brae 10/1, Highview Event 10/1,
Native Chimes 12/1, Leave At Dawn 12/1, High St Jesse 20/1, Country Legend
25/1, Arclight Bolt 33/1, Chilmark Chaser 40/1.
Surviving runner’s sectional times:
1st SEMI-FINAL
|
Starting Split
|
To 325 yards
|
Closing 225 yrd
|
JAYTEE DUTCH
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.82
|
17.30
|
12.26
|
Round
2
|
2.81
|
17.41
|
12.40
|
Round
3
|
2.80
|
17.55 crd
|
12.39
|
HIGH ST JESSE
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.93
|
17.63 crd
|
12.44
|
Round
2
|
2.90
|
17.71
|
12.20
|
Round
3
|
2.88
|
17.53
|
12.35
|
ARCLIGHT BOLT
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.93
|
17.84 crd
|
12.30
|
Round
2
|
3.05
|
blk
|
----
|
Round
3
|
2.91
|
17.58
|
12.46
|
SWITHINS BRAE
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.93
|
17.54
|
12.49
|
Round
2
|
2.91
|
17.50
|
12.51 chk
|
Round
3
|
2.87
|
17.47
|
12.37
|
LEAVE AT DAWN
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.85
|
17.44
|
12.35
|
Round
2
|
2.87
|
17.61 crd
|
12.25
|
Round
3
|
2.95
|
17.82 crd
|
12.24
|
HIGHVIEW EVENT
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.77
|
17.44 bmp
|
12.40
|
Round
2
|
2.79
|
17.40
|
12.36
|
Round
3
|
2.81
|
17.75 blk
|
12.33
|
2nd SEMI-FINAL
|
|||
NATIVE CHIMES
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.86
|
17.66 crd
|
12.26
|
Round
2
|
2.89
|
17.43 crd
|
12.46
|
Round
3
|
2.96
|
17.78 bmp
|
12.35
|
CHILLMARK CHASER
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.98
|
blk
|
-----
|
Round
2
|
2.88
|
17.97 bmp
|
12.24
|
Round
3
|
2.88
|
17.75 crd
|
12.24
|
BURGESS DUBH
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.95
|
17.99 crd
|
12.15
|
Round
2
|
2.93
|
17.75 crd
|
12.43 crd
|
Round
3
|
3.03
|
17.83 bump
|
12.32
|
PRICELESS BRANDY
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.88
|
17.45 crd
|
12.13
|
Round
2
|
2.92
|
17.36
|
12.17
|
Round
3
|
2.98
|
18.01 blk
|
12.21
|
COUNTRY LEGEND
|
|||
Round
1
|
3.02
|
17.92 blk
|
12.26
|
Round
2
|
2.96
|
blk
|
----
|
Round
3
|
2.86
|
18.10 blk
|
12.12
|
BALLINAKIL CLARE
|
|||
Round
1
|
2.83
|
17.42
|
12.40
|
Round
2
|
2.76
|
17.39
|
12.37
|
Round
3
|
2.76
|
17.37
|
12.27
|
Hot Brandy in charge as the Witch warms up
The Irish St Leger never fails to provide thrilling
greyhound racing action and on a pleasant autumn evening last Saturday, patrons
were treated to some simply stunning performances throughout eight second round
heats. With the luxury of generous qualifying conditions in the previous round
now gone, it was no surprise to see the competitions leading trainers dominate
the results table with doubles for the Sheila Spillane & J.J. Fennelly
partnership as well as trainer Graham Holland and a brilliant treble for Pat
Buckley but it was again Paul Hennessy who left with the fastest runner of the 2016
Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger when Priceless Brandy confirmed his
status as an Irish Greyhound Racing superstar with a sublime display of
imperious pace while scorching to 29.53 in Heat 5.
A track record breaker for 525 yards at Kilkenny when still a pup,
the young Kilkenny kennel star led home a high class tri-cast in the race when
overhauling compatriot Jaytee Dutch on the back-straight despite finding a poor
break from Trap 2. The manner in which he dismissed the challenge of that
exceptionally talented rival was a sight to behold and he has justifiably
ascended to outright favouritism at 7/2 having led home an eye-catching Witches
Belle by three lengths.
The latter too left Limerick last week with her search for a
second classic success firmly on track as she clearly benefited for her racing
return of the previous week. A strong running second in such a quick time while
also getting the better of Jaytee Dutch late on despite second bend crowding
was a most laudable effort and the 2016 Oaks heroine may have yet more
improvement to come.
Battling Pat inspires Buckley treble
The second round action began with the first leg of a Pat
Buckley treble as Coolavanny Pat became the first of five winners to remain
unbeaten in the St Leger. Breaking smartly, he managed to fend off the
attentions of fast early pacer Swithins Brae to take a one length lead to the
back-straight and holding that same advantage, battled his way to a decisive
lead when sweeping across that rival at the third turn. A game two and a half
length success saw him stop the clock at 29.84.
 |
| Treble for Buckley |
Holland double compensates for Pearl tumble
Back to winning ways and staking his claim for outright
honours in Heat 3, Highview Event made a crucial fast start from his favoured
Trap 6 and used his impressive early pace to dominate throughout a heat that
proved a bumpy outing for his rivals who all suffered in his wake. Most
significantly, hot favourite Sidarian Pearl failed to display her renowned
early pace before being knocked over at the first bend but gratefully, the
Puppy Oaks heroine did complete safely as Honeypound Dream chased home her
kennelmate at a deficit of eleven and a half lengths in 29.76.
 |
| Holland still holds strong hand |
Burgess Boys stake their claim
Completing the set of eight winners who all came from just
four kennels was the Sheila Spillane & J.J. Fennelly duo of Burgess Dubh
and Burgess Popeye as the latter remained unbeaten in the event when producing
a brave display to land Heat 4. Led on the run to the bend, he paced up on the
outside of Hulla Villa and Chillmark Chaser before admirably holding strong
against a hefty bump to assert at the top of the back-straight. Leaving a good
impression he prevailed by four and three quarter lengths over that pair in
29.88.
Burgess Dubh brought up the double in Heat 6 when he recovered
from a tardy start which left him in an unpromising fourth place off the second
bend. Powerful back-straight pace however saw him range up on the hind quarters
of Awaywiththepixies and Creamery Bale off the closing bend before just denying
the latter by a shorthead in 30.18.
1st Quarter-final
Ballinakil Clare will start favourite here and
although Creamery Bale is capable of a fast start on her inner, she is fancied
to lead with a rails pitch at the first bend which can see her home for victory
thereafter. Fancied to fill the trio places will be Razldazl Tierna who can
track her to the back-straight before being challenged for second place at the
closing bends by Leave At Dawn. A qualification case can be made for the
remainder and Ballymorris Diva may have best claims if repeating her recent
fast starts to take advantage of any possible crowding on her inner.
2nd Quarter-final
A vicious draw has created a heat worthy of the final
itself. Supporters of Jaytee Dutch will be happy that he has drawn Trap 1 again
but last week’s effort must be labelled as below par when passed by two rivals
after a good start. However, if presenting in the form that he displayed in
Round 1, he would be the choice. His complication here is that Swithins Brae in
Trap 2 is the Leger’s fastest early pacer and although not trapping at speed,
is certain to be moving fastest into the first bend.
Three unbeaten runners are
housed to his right and this heat may get very tight upon turning which makes Highview
Event’s draw on the outside a big advantage. He is selected as the runner
with the most likely clear run and can be joined in the semi-finals by Lenson
Rocky whose pace is taken to get him out of a treacherous situation and Jaytee Dutch who may use his crucial rails pitch to secure a place.
3rd Quarter-final
The Oaks champion Witches Belle will start favourite
and all appears in place for her to get back to winning ways from a suitable
Trap 6 draw. She has a plausible opportunity to match or even lead those on her
immediate inside for clear passage to the back-straight from where she would convert
a clear cut chance. The main threat would be an improved break from the
exceptionally fast pup Native Chimes in Trap 1.
He has his best opportunity to
get a clear sight of the hare thus far in the St Leger and could possibly get
loose if trapping well. If matching Burgess Dubh from traps, he can avoid
moving right behind runners as he did last week and qualify thereafter. Theres
The Bell is taken to fill the remaining semi-final place.
4th Quarter-final
Priceless Brandy is the fastest runner of the St
Leger thus far and will be a short price to remain unbeaten despite a tricky
draw here. There is a danger of crowding on the run to the bend unless he
improves his break however and although he is almost impossible to oppose, he
is put forward as the winner with due caution.
Meriting plenty of respect in
Trap 1 is Droopys Punk after the reliable trapper found and improved career
best run last week and an ideal draw gives him plausible claims of an upset if
repeating that run. Fancied to also reach the final by tracking Droopys Punk
from her ideal Trap 2 draw is High St Jesse.
Betting: Priceless Brandy 7/2, Lenson Rocky 6/1,
Jaytee Dutch 8/1, Witches Belle 8/1, Ballinakil Clare 10/1, Burgess Popeye
10/1, Coolavanny Pat 14/1, Highview Event 14/1, Burgess Dubh 16/1, Swithins
Brae 16/1, Native Chimes 20/1, Bar 25/1.
We commence the quarter-finals with 6 Middle seeds
and 2 Wide, while five bitches still remain.
Trainers with multiple entries remaining: 3
Pat Buckley(from original 7) 3 Paul Hennessy(6) 2 Graham
Holland(4) 2 Brendan Matthews(2) 1 Peter Cronin(2).
Hennessy going Dutch on double hot Brandy………paul cooney
An exciting opening session to the 2016 Kerry
Agri-Business Irish St Leger brought a host of smart performances from
extensively talented classic contenders throughout eleven first round heats on
Saturday last but leading the way while registering the fastest times of the
night were the Paul Hennessy trained duo of Jaytee Dutch and Priceless Brandy
who gave notice of their intentions to deliver a fourth St Leger title for the
Kilkenny kennels.
 |
| Hennessy holds strong hand |
First to ignite the Leger litmus paper in Heat 3 was Jaytee
Dutch and he enjoyed a virtual solo passage throughout a dominant display. Making
light of his slightly concerning draw in Trap 5 he produced a fast start to
lead from trap rise and was never seriously threatened when defeating Theres
The Bell by eight and a half lengths in 28.56, the fastest time of the night.
The second leg of the Hennessy double came in Heat 7 where
Priceless Brandy produced what was arguably the performance of the round when
recovering from a moderate start, also in Trap 5, to defeat Leave At Dawn by
three lengths. Battling his way to contention on the inside of Droopys Punk at
the second bend, he saw Leave At Dawn rush up on the outside and claim a one
length back-straight lead as Brandy suffered some minor crowding. A powerful
gallop from this point however saw the Kilkenny 525 yard track record holder
produce his winning challenge at the third bend before staying strongly to the
line in 29.58 for the 550 yard classic trip.
Holland’s ladies strut their stuff
Next best on the clock behind the Hennessy pair was Graham
Holland’s superstar bitch Sidarian Pearl who showed that she has retained her
form despite a busy 2016 campaign and she was at her imperious best when
completely dominating our concluding Heat 11. Breaking smartly from Trap 4, she
displayed her immense early pace for a two length first bend lead and posting
the fastest early split times of the round, proceeded unchallenged to a five
and a half length verdict over High Street Jesse in 29.69.
Sidarian Pearl in Rd 1 victory
She was completing Holland’s own St Leger double as
kennelmate Ballinakil Clare had already claimed Heat 6 in similarly dominant
fashion. Also coping competently with a middle draw in Trap 4, her early pace
carried her to a first bend lead which allowed safe passage throughout her six
length success over a staying on Rockbay Captain in 29.82.
Rocky comes out fighting for Buckley
2014 winning trainer Pat Buckley assembled a strong team of
challengers ahead of Round 1 and he too registered a double on the opening
night as team captain Lenson Rocky returned a thoroughly professional
performance to take Heat 10. The English Derby finalist paced up well on the
outside of a closely packed field approaching the bend and readily asserted
before reaching the back-straight.
Staying the trip well he posted a pleasing 29.75 when two
and a half lengths in advance of an eye-catching runner-up, Native Chimes. The
latter showed exceptional early pace after just a moderate start here and
further impressed with a powerful gallop on the back-straight after suffering
some crowding. Ceding little and probably gaining late ground on the winner,
the Johnny O’Sullivan trained January 2015 pup is a young star to note as he
makes his graduation to top Open competition in the St Leger.
|
| Buckley scores a late double |
The first leg of the Buckley double had come in the preceding
Heat 9 as Coolavanny Pat battled his way to victory over Lightfoot Rafael in a
highly competitive encounter. He tracked early pacesetter Gwan Slab to the bend
before striking the front early in the back-straight but his biggest challenge
would come from the Hennessy trained Lightfoot Rafael who displayed powerful
back-straight pace and he pressed the winner all the way to the line when
ceding victory by one and a half lengths in 30.00.
Arguably the most well received result of the night came in
Heat 2 when Limerick kennels filled the forecast places as Denis Kiely’s
Shaneboy Russell stole an early march on Tim Gilbourne’s Gulleen Billy with
smart pace on the run to the first bend. A three length lead on the
back-straight was enough to see the former home in a polished display over the
strong running Gulleen Billy, by two lengths in 29.79.
The remaining heats were claimed by Peter Cronin’s Sab
Miller who held the more fancied Highview Event by a head in 29.83, Boherash
Messiah who held the same margin over Swithins Brae in 30.02, the same time
recorded by Burgess Popeye when claiming Heat 8 after Combo Sidney posted 30.65
in a troubled opening heat.
Fastest runners clash in vicious Round 2 draw
A successful opening night for Paul Hennessy will not have
left much time to rest on laurels as the following draw for Round 2 saw his
fastest winners pitted against each other in adjacent traps for tonight’s Heat
5. The Kilkenny kennels will be praying for a cleanly contested race here as
Jaytee Dutch occupies Trap 1 with his younger compatriot on his immediate outer
in Trap 2.
|
| Witches Belle will need to improve in Rd2 |
Adding further intrigue to this clash is the presence of
Liam Twomey’s Irish Oaks heroine Witched Belle in Trap 4 who will be hoping to
improve on her opening round fourth to Sab Miller when entitled to be in need
of the outing after a four month layoff. Jaytee Dutch clearly has the best of
the draw and is fancied to defend his rails pitch on the run to the bend from
where he will prove extremely difficult to overhaul. Priceless Brandy will pose
a threat throughout and is expected to comfortably qualify provided he can
avoid a clash with Lassa Exquisite(3) who can complicate affairs with his smart
early pace.
Trainer Pat Buckley retains a strong hand in the event and
his Lenson Rocky shares co-favouritism at 7/1 with the Hennessy duo ahead of
Round 2. He is expected to remain unbeaten from Trap 3 in Heat 7 where he will
have kennelmate Alfies Diamond(2) to guide him to the first bend before his
back-straight pace proves too strong to contain.
Also having his challenge complicated by a tricky second round
draw, Pat Buckley will take three runners to traps for a highly competitive
opening heat where qualification will be at a premium. Coolavanny Pat is the
sole first round winner in the line-up and looks set for a forward bid from
Trap 5 but a rails pitch for Brendan Matthews’s Theres The Bell offers
realistic claims for him to get back to winning ways in a heat where all
runners hold realistic claims.
The following Heat 2 can see Graham Holland’s Sidarian Pearl
extend her fantastic strike rate yet further in 2016 as a suitable Trap 3 berth
can again see her dominate in the opening strides. She posted the fastest
sectional times in Round 1 and is expected to lead kennel companion Highview
Event(6) who re-opposes with his opening night conqueror Sab Miller(1), these
three are fancied to fill the qualifying places.
With the luxury of extra qualifying places now gone, the
2016 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger action truly ignites with a greater
threat of elimination bringing the battling best out of our aspiring classic
contenders in Round 2. The opening night provided entertaining highlights and
expect many more in what promises to be a fiery night of St Leger action.
Betting: 7/1 Jaytee Dutch, Lenson Rocky,
Priceless Brandy 10/1 Sidarian Pearl
12/1 Witches Belle, Burgess Popeye 14/1 Ballinakil Clare 16/1
Highview Event, Swithins Brae, Burgess Dubh, Sab Miller 20/1 Droopys
Dollar, Brinkleys King, Coolavanny Pat, Lightfoot Rafael 25/1 Bar. (Boylesports)
We commence Round 2 with 6 Middle seeds and 8
Wide while seven bitches still remain.
Trainers with multiple entries remaining: 6
Pat Buckley(from original 7) 6 Paul Hennessy(6) 3 Graham Holland(4)
2 Brendan Matthews(2), Peter Cronin(2), Keiran Lynch(2).
St Leger
set to bring down curtain on 2016 Classic season…………..paul cooney
For regular patrons of Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the near
twelve month wait for the return of Kerry Agri Business Irish St Leger
action can never elapse quickly enough! For this is the defining event for
generations of greyhound enthusiasts in County Limerick and it’s surrounds,
providing dreams of classic success since securing it’s place at home in the
Markets Field venue since 1944 when claimed by No Relation in 31.48 for the 550
yard distance.
An original classic
of the sport since it’s inception in 1932, the Irish St Leger was first held at
Celtic Park in Belfast with Castle Eve the inaugural winner in 32.08. Moving
around the country in following seasons, the event visited Shelbourne Park on
four occasions during the 1930’s with three renewals at Harolds Cross and a
sole appearance at Clonmel in 1933 before the first Limerick staging in 1940
when Cherrygrove Cross prevailed in 31.82.
Becoming an inherent part of Limerick sporting culture in
the intervening years, the Irish St Leger is one of the most sought after
titles in racing. Coveted by trainers and owners alike, it continues to attract
the elite of the sport in search of a classic victory that can define a career
for both dog and handler. Maintaining the exceptionally high standards set at
the city center venue in the Markets Field the New Limerick Greyhound Stadium
has enjoyed four wonderful renewals and all is now in place for the 2016
running of the concluding classic event on the calender which is again made
possible by the wonderfully generous sponsorship of Kerry Agri Business.Hot Holland with 5 hopefuls
 |
| Skywalker Rory triumphs in 2015 |
Claiming the title in 2015 was the brilliant Skywalker Rory for trainer Pat Guilfoyle when defeating Sidarian Vega by six lengths in a
dominant 29.47 success. Now trained by Graham Holland it was strongly hoped
that he would return to Limerick in defence of his title but he has clearly not
recovered in time having been forced to withdraw from his recent Boylesports
Irish Derby quarter-final. His trainer however has been at the business end of
all the major events in 2016 and with three classics already secured in a
hugely successful season, is a natural starting point when studying form ahead
of tonight’s opening round heats.
Assembling a strong team of five hopefuls, connections of
recent Derby finalist Sidarian Pearl will be hoping to go one better this time
around and the exceptionally talented bitch will begin her campaign in the
concluding heat of Round 1. Likely to start favourite despite a less than ideal
draw in Trap 5, she may have most to fear from the certain fast finish of
Droopys Dollar but is nonetheless expected to begin her St Leger campaign with
victory.
Rivalling the Puppy Oaks winner for claims of being the
kennels first string is Highview Event who truly came to prominence in the 2016
Irish Greyhound Derby and was highly fancied for outright honours there before
a troubled quarter-final elimination. Capable of fast times while rushing to
the first bend he will be on many shortlists for St Leger glory but will have
to be sharp from traps to contain a true superstar of 2016 in Heat 4 as Oaks
heroine Witches Belle returns to Limerick where she thrilled her legion of fans
on the way to a third place finish in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial here
in April.
 |
| Witches Belle with trainer Liam Twomey |
Edel & Liam Twomey’s superb bitch will be warmly
welcomed back to a venue where she showed herself capable of competing with,
and defeating some of Ireland’s best racers while scorching to magnificent
times. Returning at a trip that will ideally suit her style and battling
qualities, the 2016 Sporting Press Irish Oaks winner adds greatly to a stellar
St Leger entry.
Jointly heading the trainers table before commencement is
2014 winning trainer Pat Buckley with a seven strong team ahead of Round 1
action. Bridging a ten year gap following the victory of Never Give Up in 2004,
his second St Leger title came through the paws of Paradise Silva two years ago
and the kennels will bring a favourite’s chance to this season’s renewal.
Lenson Rocky performed with huge credit in the recent Irish Derby before his
quarter-final exit and is a maturing competition racer who showed his immense
talents when previously reaching the English Derby Final at Wimbledon while
still a pup!
8/1 in the outright market, he begins his campaign in Heat
10 and will start favourite but there will be no hiding places here with a fast
kennel companion Alfies Diamond a certain rival for early supremacy, Tipperary
Cup winner Skiproe Master and unexposed pup Native Chimes all capable of
upsetting the odds. The Buckley assault is strong in depth behind the favourite
with Coolavanny Pat and Alfies Diamond in particular having much to recommend
their chances while Droopys Dollar who opposes Sidarian Pearl in Heat 11 should
be ideally suited to the Limerick circuit.
Hennessy is hottest Leger trainer
Also with seven entries and seeking a fourth St Leger title
is trainer Paul Hennessy who first guided Larking About to victory in 2002
before What A Tornado triumphed in 2011. His third victory in the event came in
2013 as the then Oaks champion Locnamon Bridie completed a landmark classic
double when defeating the boys in a dominant final display.
|
| Hennessy, always a factor in St Leger! |
In St Leger terms, he is the in-form trainer as he also
ran-up the event in 2012 with Priceless Sky and guided Jaytee Valencia to
fourth place last year. His team this time is headed by Kilkenny 525 yard track
record holder Priceless Brandy and the more experienced, consistent Jaytee
Dutch. Both were unluckily dumped out of the Derby in Round 2 but as a
consequence, come here relatively fresh. Priceless Brandy begins his campaign
in Heat 7 and a blistering Limerick trial points ominously to his chances there
while Jaytee Dutch, who doesn’t know how to run a bad race, warmed up with a
slick race victory last week and holds real claims in Heat 3. Both are priced
at 10/1.
Of course with any renewal of the St Leger, hopes are always
high for a local success and among the many track favourites, Tim Gilbourne’s
Gulleen Billy may lead the charge from an ideal draw in Trap 1 as he begins his
campaign in the second of tonight’s heat. He relishes the 550 yard trip,
evidenced by his third in this season’s Greenpark Open 550 Stake in May and his
impressive strike rate at Limerick may continue if defending his rails pitch
early on tonight. The following Heat 3 will see young trainer Julie O’Connell
with her first St Leger contender and despite defeat in recent starts,
Clonleigh Brave is capable of blistering clocks if securing clear passage and a
deep run from the Hospital trained charge would come as little surprise.
These are just a few of the likely opening night highlights
ahead of the 2016 Kerry Agri Business Irish St Leger so book your front
row seat for five weeks in Limerick’s racing theatre as our impressive cast of
players act out the as yet unwritten script in what is certain to be another
epic showcase for the 73rd renewal of this most prestigious classic.
Betting: Lenson Rocky 8/1, Priceless Brandy 10/1, Jaytee
Dutch 10/1, Highview Event 12/1, Alfies Diamond 12/1, Burgess Popeye 14/1, Witches
Belle 14/1, Burgess Dubh 14/1, Sidarian Pearl 14/1, Theres The Bell 16/1, Leave
At Dawn 16/1, Droopys Dollar 16/1, Coconut Corker 16/1, Coolavanny Pat 20/1,
Skiproe Master 20/1, Lightfoot Rafael 20/1, Brinkleys King 20/1, Ballinakil
Clare 20/1, Droopys Tee 20/1, Bar 25/1. (Boylesports)
Outright Selections: Droopys Dollar 20/1,
Lightfoot Rafael 20/1.
We commence Round 1 with 49 Inside seeds, 8
Middle and 9 Wide while eight bitches will bid to emulate Locnamon
Bridie’s 2013 heroics.
Trainers with multiple entries: 7 Pat Buckley,
Paul Hennessy 5 Graham Holland 3 Chris Houlihan 2 Brendan
Matthews, Peter Cronin, Keiran Lynch.
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