Sinabhfuilbertie makes sensational return to action
Out of action since the Laurels semi-finals last year, Sinabhfuilbertie emerged fresh as a daisy from his winter break to go within a length of the track record.
Very fast away from his wide draw, he was quickly in control and, having easily made the bend ahead of Frisky Lucky, that was that. Mountleader Gara took up the chase from the second bend but could make no impression and was three and a half lengths down at the line.
Cashmans reacted by slashing Sinabhfuilbertie from 20/1 to 6/1 to win the event.
The Owen McKenna trained Droopys Agassi, who made a winning return to action at Shelbourne the previous week in his first race since last year's Derby final, followed-up by taking the opening heat.
He was led to the third bend by the fast starting Sleek Bill but, having asserted between the last two bends, came clear in the straight for a two and a half length success over the running on Kiln Cleo in 28.50.
Confident Choice swooped late to take heat three. Cold Calling was fast away and led the winner into the bend. He maintained his advantage down the back straight and was still two lengths to the good turning for home and looking set for victory. However the Paul Hennessy trained Confident Choice came with a wet sail down the outside to collar him in the closing stages and win by a length in 28.67.
Dower Jet had an all the way success for Christy O’Callaghan in heat 4. He was chased at various stages by kennel companion Senahel Bert and Talavara News but neither could make any impression on the winner who always had matters well in hand en route to a five and a half length win in a personal best of 28.41.
Cloneys Rocket grabbed his chance when it presented itself to take heat 5.
The fast starting Tycus led Got The Lite into the bend. The order remained the same down the back with Got The Lite taking a wide route as Cloneys Rocket edged closer to the pace. Tycus held a narrow advantage over Got The Lite between the last two bends but the Maurice O’Connor trained Cloneys Rocket availed of a dream opening on the rails to shoot into the lead and ease clear up the straight for a four and a half length win in 28.71.
Get It Done held on by the skin of his teeth to take heat 6. The Neil Ryan owned and trained winner was fast up and had a comfortable two length lead at halfway. However McCarthy, Helenas Charlie and Air Force Jedi came to join issue at the last bend and in a desperate finish Get It Done held on for a neck success in 29.05 in a race where less than a length separated the first four home.
Owen McKenna completed a double when Boherduff Light saw off market rival Barnfield Ranger in heat 7. The first two had the race to themselves from the second bend with Boherduff Light comfortably holding off his rival around the third and fourth bends before running on strongly up the straight for a two and a half length win in 28.41.
Legal Moment was a notable absentee from the last heat where John Joes Dream took a flier from his inside berth to make all and beat Mountleader Mate by a comfortable two lengths in 28.61.
Curraheen Park's Bord Na gCon control steward Eddie Holland retired on Saturday after 40 years trojan service to the greyhound industry both locally and nationally. His contribution to the sport was acknowledged by the CGOBA who made a presentation to him on the night.
Cashmans Guinness betting: 9/4 Droopys Agassi (from 5/2); 4 Boherduff Light (from 7); 6 Sinabhfuilbertie (from 20); 10 Jordans Elect (from 16); 12 Barnfield Ranger (from 20); Cold Calling (from 25); 14 Dower Jet (from 20) Confident Choice (from 25); 20 John Joes Dream (from 33); 25 Sleek Bill (from 33) Mountleader Mate; 33 Bar
Draw for second round of the Guinness Trophy - Heat 1 - 1 Helena’s Charlie, 2 Cloneys Rocket, 3 Heavenly Pride, 4 Dower Jet, 5 McCarthy (w), 6 Sinabhfuilbertie (w).
Heat 2 - 1 Boherduff Light, 2 Tycus, 3 Outback Duke, 4 Glenske Honcho (w), 5 Get It Done (w), 6 Droopys Agassi (w).
Heat 3 - 1 John Joes Dream, 2 Mountleader Mate, 3 Jordan’s Elect, 4 Kiln Cleo, 5 Barnfield Ranger (w), 6 Got The Lite (w).
Heat 4 - 1 Talavara News, 2 Tippy Toes, 3 Cold Calling, 4 Mountleader Gara, 5 Sleek Bill (w), 6 Confident Choice (w).
Entries close at the track today for the O'Riordan Bros. Tarmacadam Stakes (confined 29.60). Winner 1600. Heats Thursday.
