After knocking on the door on more than one occasion, Lemon Joey finally captured a major success on Sunday evening at Clonmel as he claimed the €20,000 to the winner Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes
Kindly sponsored by Tom Glynn, this classic has once again proved of exceptional quality and the line-up in the decider oozed class with each tracker worthy of landing a prize of this calibre. The renewal got off to a flyer with the reigning Kirby winner, Faypoint Ranger, kickstarting his bid in style, while the likes of Flashing Saffron, Snazzy Boss, Born Braver and Ballinveala Bolt also outlined their intentions with some flashy early performances. Meanwhile, Lemon Joey was going about his business somewhat under the radar, however, his semi final performance was an extremely determined one which underlined his huge claims ahead of the feature. A greyhound that is no stranger to the big-race atmosphere having reached the final of the National Puppy and the semi finals of the Con & Annie Kirby, he was to finally turn the screw for the Short-Back-And-Sides-Syndicate in this prestigious event to claim a well-deserved victory.
SAFFRON LEADS
After coming in for some strong support throughout the day, Flashing Saffron was sent to traps as the 2/1 favourite and she took her customary ping start from two to lead. Posting a 2.85 sectional, the Pat Buckley-trained bitch moved slightly right in the early exchanges, which hampered Born Braver, and allowed the likes of Lemon Joey and Snazzy Boss to get on terms on the crucial run to the opening corner. With several trackers arriving at the turn in tandem, bumping was inevitable and Flashing Saffron, Lemon Joey and Snazzy Boss all came together as a result.
The early bumping was to no detriment effect to Flashing Saffron up front as she opened a two length lead over Lemon Joey entering the back, however, the beneficiary of the traffic was Tetra Destiny, who tracked expertly in the red jacket to nip up the inside and contest. In doing so, Kevin Loughnane’s charge improved past Lemon Joey at the midway point as Snazzy Boss found space at a premium, which ultimately saw him shuffled back in the field.
JOEY MAKES HIS MOVE
Flashing Saffron continued to set a smart gallop to the third bend and she stopped the third-bend sectional clock in a brisk 16.11. That said, the gap was halved to one length rounding the penultimate turn and it was Tetra Destiny that looked like the likely winner as he sat pretty on the rail. However, within the blink of an eye Lemon Joey shifted up a gear and Murt Leahy’s brindle took a step right in a bid to course around a tiring Flashing Saffron. Now in full throttle, the son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana had victory within his sights. Powering past Flashing Saffron upon entrance to the home straight, ‘Joey’ was absolutely flying at this point as he stayed on with real intent to cross the line two lengths clear of a gallant Flashing Saffron in second. It was a further half-length back to Tetra Destiny, who ran the race of his life to finish third, while Born Braver, Snazzy Boss and Blastoff Heffo were luckless in running as they finished down the field. The time was 28.60 and many congratulations are extended to The-Short-Back-And-Side-Syndicate and Murt Leahy. A huge thanks must also go to Tom Glynn, who kindly stepped in to sponsor this fantastic event.
*****
CONSOLATION PRIZE FOR CHAPS
Incidentally, while Murt Leahy landed the feature on the night, he also landed the consolation final with Sawdust Chaps.
Owned by The-Chissel-Syndicate, Sawdust Chaps didn’t carry too much luck in the semis, however, he made his own luck on this occasion as he broke best of all from trap two to lead. In doing so, it was always going to take a monumental effort to reel in the son of Dorotas Wildcat and the 7/1 chance made every post a winner to cross the line one and a half lengths clear of Certificate in second. The time was 28.57.
FIONN QUICKEST IN PURCELL SEMIS
The semi finals of the Kieran Snr & Hanna Purcell Memorial also featured on the card and Liam Peacock’s Bogger Fionn went quickest as he made it back-to-backs wins in comfortable fashion.
A trap-to-line winner in the opening round, the son of Glengar Bale was to implement tactics this time around as he broke smartly from two to lead. Showing terrific early speed, Bogger Fionn justified his 13/8 pricetag thereafter as he set a scorching gallop before crossing the line two lengths clear of Hollyhill Keano in second. The time was 28.87. In the second semi, Speck (10/3) upset the odds as he came from off-the-pace for Kevin McLean. Taking charge at the final bend, the 11/4 chance drew clear in the closing stages to cross the line three clear of Dwell Mock in second. The time was 29.16.