Droopys Delfino swoops to conquer in decider

The Johnny Linehan-trained and Noel and John Crowley-owned Droopys Delfino produced a terrific performance to land the spoils in Saturday night’s final of the €5,000 to-the-winner Greyhound & Pet World A1 525 at Curraheen Park.

Vedfield Emperor set the pace in this one but Droopys Delfino, who was last early, railed beautifully between the opening bends and emerged in second place. On the leader’s quarters as they turned for home, he slipped up the inside to earn a dramatic half-length victory over the gallant front-runner in 28.57.

Coming at the end of what was a tough week for the Blarney kennel, after the career-ending injury to Droopys Cain, the winning trainer was in typically upbeat mood.

Speaking first of Droopys Cain, Linehan admitted: “You’d have to be disappointed. He was a great dog, he had the gears and things just didn’t work out for him in the Derby. But these things happen every day in greyhound racing.

“It’s part of the ups and downs of the game but you must looks on the bright side, move on and hope the next one could be nearly as good.”

Of Droopys Delfino, he added: “It was a great run. He was housed to perfection — he loves the rails — and it was a great prize to win. He has always showed ability and he’s a real honest dog.

“We think he’ll be even better over 550 or 575 yards but, after that performance, we’ll have to let him take his chance in the Laurels, and after that we might looks for something over a little further.”

In the following race, Tooclosetocall completed a double for Linehan when he led all the way to take the final of the Red Mills/Greyhound & Pet World A2 525 for owners The Mary O’s Bar Syndicate.

“The lads that own him had hard lines with a promising pup recently but since they bought this one, he’s won three out of four,” added Linehan.

“It was a great night, not just our races but every one. There were superb trophies and presentations sheets and photos — it means a lot to owners. No expense was spared. I’d have to say well done to the track management and all the sponsors. Brilliant.”

There were three other finals down for decision and the first of them went to Adrian and Evan Kelly’s Galley June, who posted 29.33 in the Jerry Woods and Greyhound & Pet World A5 final.

Postman Ray then led all the way to capture the Gain/Greyhound & Pet World Open Sprint for trainer Kieran Lynch and the Rebel Postmen Syndicate, in 17.79, while Murdaniel Tune took it up at the third bend as he continued the fine form of the Denis Murphy kennel by taking the Vetsearch and Greyhound & Pet World A3 550 final in 30.20.