Harry becomes first dog to dip under 28 second barrier

GREYHOUND racing history was made at Limerick’s Markets Field on Sunday night when Catunda Harry became the first dog to break the 28 seconds barrier in a race in Ireland.

For trainer Owen McKenna, the achievement was especially poignant as his father Ger trained the first dog to break the 29 second barrier in 1956 with Prince of Bermuda at Shelbourne Park.

The new National Record was an improvement of four spots on the previous mark of 28.03 set by Ardkill Jamie at Curraheen Park in September.

The record breaking run came in the first semi-final of the Ballygodoon Stud Puppy Stake.

Assistant Racing manager Alan O’Shaughnessy said: “Most dogs need a run around to get to know the track well. This was Catunda Harry’s third run and after his performance the previous week (28.58) we knew that he was capable of something special.

He was first down to the bend and just powered away from the rest of the dogs.”

Catunda Harry flashed out of the two box and quickly went clear to win by eight lengths from Barnfield Mike who finished in an impressive 28.55. What was more remarkable run is that Catunda Harry won’t be two years of age for another two weeks – and was only contesting his sixth race.

Continued O’Shaughnessy: “There was just a complete gasp from the crowd when the time came up on the clock. We re-checked it with the computer and the hand timer and all confirmed the time of 27.99.

“Over the last couple of years 28 seconds has been the magical time. Prior to this the fastest time in Limerick was recorded by Judicial Post on October 27th, 2002 when he came home in 28.10.”

Catunda Harry was the 1/2 favourite to win the race.

“It is nice to say that we have the record. Hopefully it will bring an extra crowd as the final is on Saturday night along with the final of the Irish St Leger.”

Catunda Harry is a July ’05 son of Elite State and Your So Vain and is trained by McKenna for English based Irishman Larry O’Rourke.

McKenna admitted: “I wasn’t there. I was flying back from England when the dog was flying in Limerick!

“He is a dog that I liked from the word go. From the first trial, he looked like a good dog and had a great temperament. It means a lot to me as my father was the first to break the 29 second barrier years ago. This is pretty special. The Derby is now the main aim.”