*2019 Kirby Trial Stakes*

15/03/2019

We had two further Kirby Trial Stakes last weekend and they were claimed by two runners who we would have expected to be amongst the starting line-up; and both will have their supporters as extremely talented youngsters.

RIVERSIDE LEO 28.25 (Shelbourne Park)

I don't have runners at Shelbourne so readers who do will have a more informed opinion on whether or not the track has gotten even faster since the latest works to improve drainage but even if the capital venue seems to be on fire through winter conditions of late, the sizzling recent efforts of Riverside Leo must make him a real Kirby contender.

Impressive at Clonmel until meeting traffic problems in the final of the big unraced stake there last month, Riverside Leo (Knockglass Billy/Adamant Gem) had already posted 28.18 in A1 victory at Shelbourne before defeating a real solid benchmark in Tullig Footpad to win his ticket to Limerick.

He possesses slick early pace and has been admirably reliable at trap rise at the beginning of his career. It will be interesting to see how close he can get to these kind of clocks on the Dock Road but the Graham Holland charge has to be high on every short-list ahead of the opening round draw on Tuesday.

SPOOFER 28.51 (Waterford)

Philip Gough's Spoofer (Sparta Maestro/Dream Believer) left a big impression when unbeaten through his valuable unraced stake win at Waterford last October and found his feet in Open class company when scoring at Shelbourne Park before the turn of the year.

Likely laid out with the Kirby in mind, he returned from a three month absence to comfortably score when again displaying proficient early pace. Powerful on the back-straight, he should thoroughly appreciate Limerick and if indeed prepared specifically at the Kirby, he will have freshness on his side; another real live contender.

No video available for his Trial Stake win so here he is in AA0 winning action at SPK, posting 28.40!

6/03/2019

We had another three Con & Annie Kirby Trial Stakes on the weekend just passed with the first of which taking place at Galway on Friday evening and it would bring the first leg of a Trial Stake double for trainer Pat Guilfoyle, who appears to be building his largest team yet for a challenge in the main event.

CLAREGALWAY LAD 29.06 (-20) (Galway)

An April pup, Claregalway Lad (Zero Ten/Portumna West) was a dominant winner of what was in effect an A1 event as the slick early pacer ensured a fourth straight win to start his career, not yet sighting a rival in running! He is a member of a very talented litter which includes the Waterford All About Ya Unraced winner Grangeview Ten and steadily progressive, his early prowess at trap rise could prove a crucial weapon in the opening rounds of the Kirby. A very smart addition to the Guilfoyle challenge!

SKYWALKER JORGE 29.07 (Limerick)

Bringing-up the Guilfoyle Trial Stake double, Skywalker Jorge (Skywalker Farloe/Nametab Gigi) went one better than when second to Deadly Storm the previous week in this advertised A0 event and it was a gutsy display to ably defend the inside rail on the run to the corner which ultimately secured victory.

He was in fact faster on the clock when defeated the previous week and his profile is that of a youngster who is capable of swifter times; he did start just 5/2 for the final of that warm All About Ya Unraced Stake at Waterford. There was some bumping here on the run-up and at the bends so there is scope to lower his clock, not a forlorn hope at this stage for his attached GAA Club, Knockainey Ladies Football.

HERO TO ZERO 28.39 (Limerick)

The biggest stir amongst the Trial Stake winners at the weekend would come in the remaining Limerick qualifier, an A1 event which returned a slick AA0 performance from the Pat Curtin trained Hero To Zero (Zero Ten/Leamaneigh Lisa) who scorched to 28.39 at the host venue.

Making the news when purchased by his trainer for syndicate owners following a slick debut win in 28.72 at Galway last September, this fellow would not race again until early February and warming to his task with an A2 graded win just two runs back, he found marked progression from his latest third to Deadly Storm when leaving a big impression on Saturday.

Previously mentioned, All About Ya Unraced winner Grangeview Ten did not break well here but did get his run from Trap 1 when displaying slick early dash. A strong runner, Hero To Zero found a smart break to be front rank early and there was no disgrace in being led to the back-straight by Grangeview Ten.

However, it was beyond the halfway point that the Curtin charge would fully reveal his Kirby credentials and once sweeping by the long-term leader at the third bend, he displayed a powerful staying ability to stretch readily clear on a track that is going to suit his style of racing ideally. With this performance, he marks himself as a runner who could well be set for a deep run in the Kirby for Croagh Kilfinny Camogie Club.

1/03/2019

There was a buzz back around Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday last for the first of the Trial Stakes to gain free entry to the 2019 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial. Yes, it was Irish Cup weekend which surely aided figures at the turnstiles but it has been this very Saturday over the past few seasons which really kick-starts the year on the Dock Road, which in no small part is down to imminent commencement of the newest classic in greyhound racing.

No, it's not just me that gets a bit giddy at this time, the Kirby has become something very special at Limerick and indeed before any Trial Stakes are run, patrons can be found quickly checking the age of any fast winner from the turn of the year to see if they will be eligible to contest the big one!

RALLYING STAR 28.94 (Limerick)

The home crowd will have been pleased with the result of this year's first Trial Stake which was one of two to be run at the main event host venue last Saturday as the local Rallying Racing Syndicate saw their Rallying Star (Droopys Jet/Cheltenham Cert) complete a polished early paced performance when leading home Grangeview West by half a length, for trainer Neilly O'Connell.

The race was in fact an A2 event and the winner remains in A2 grade but this was a pleasing performance in just his fourth start and is clearly open to plenty more progression before his unbeaten tag is shed.

That victory of course also see Ballylanders Ladies Football Club through to the Kirby opening round for the first time as Rallying Star will represent them in the chase for €10,000 as part of the associated incentive for Limerick GAA Clubs within the generous McManus sponsorship package.

DEADLY STORM 28.59 (Limerick)

There will be a posse of trainers set on denying Pat Buckley his four-in-a-row this year and it would come as little shock if Michael O'Donovan was at the head of the chase. Enjoying a successful night on Saturday last, he claimed the second of the Kirby Trial Stakes when Deadly Storm (Kinloch Brae/Pennys Queen) progressed to his first Open class time, posting 28.59 in a three length defeat of Skywalker Jorge.

This was the higher class event of the Trial Stakes with a AA0 grading and Deadly Storm accounted for some very smart runners while displaying slick early pace, coupled with admirable battling qualities. He has borne a middle seed in his career start but gave the impression here that he could be a real contender and very difficult to contain if closer to the fence than Trap 4.

He will represent the hopes of Adare Ladies Football Club.