Greyhound Racing: Final forecast Feels Good at Thurles

A last fixture of 2022 at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, the feature of the Thursday meeting on December 22nd was the Greyhound Traceability System A3 570 Final and following an interrupted schedule for the 18-runner event, the Feelgood Racing Syndicate enjoyed a remarkable final forecast when Great Approach led home kennel companion Classy Diva.

An opening round winner in the event, the John McKenna & Shirley Ruth trained Great Approach (Dks Prime Time-Cabra Roxy) had settled for second at semi stage but back to his best break from trap 3, immediately took charge of the final when leading runners to his inside for command of the rails on the long run to the corner.

Much slower to stride, kennelmate Classy Diva trailed all in the early stages but sneaking a run on the rails around the opening turns, that strong runner negotiated a path to second place at the top of the backstraight. However, and despite an impressive staying effort from Classy Diva, Great Approach had skipped clear to a decisive lead by halfway and though ceding ground to a gallant runner-up late on, retained ample resolve for a two-length verdict in 32.09 (-20), with Kind Soul a further nine lengths back in third.

Astra stars in Cabra treble
Signing off on another successful season at his home venue, the kennels of Paddy Scally roared back into winning action when securing a Thursday treble at Thurles with September 2020 whelp Cabra Astra (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Ebony) leading the way in her sixth career victory.

Close in A4 grade last time, the former A3 winner held highly plausible claims at the same level for her 525-yard contest and much the quickest to reach full stride following a level start from trap 5, scarcely sighted a rival having secured a one length lead on the run to the opening bend. Pursued by Knockalton Conor throughout, Cabra Astra posted 29.45 (-20) in a cosy three-length score.

Next up, Cabra Sonic (Kinloch Brae-Cabra Ebony) had filled runner-up position for four outings in a row before the Thursday fixture but finally gained due reward when taking his win tally to double figures in the night’s A3 525.

Showing smart dash to overcome a tricky trap 6 draw, the Scally inside seed made his way to the rail without interference and over a length to the good, entered a foggy first bend in advance of Kilvil Robert and Chloe Girl. That latter rival would threaten when securing passage on the rails off the final bend but gamely fending off the challenge, Cabra Sonic retained a half-length winning margin at the line in 29.77 (-20).

Rounding out the night’s action while completing the Scally treble in the concluding A2 525, litter comrade Cabra Hasty (Kinloch Brae-Cabra Ebony) was also gaining reward for a string of smart placed efforts when the September 2019 whelp emerged best from a three-way photo-finish print to secure her ninth career victory.

It was Kilvil Arnold who led the charge to the backstraight before succumbing to a trio of strong stayers at the trip as the winner rushed up on his inside off the final turn while narrowly in advance of Borna Flame. Continuing to repel that rival on the run to the line, Cabra Hasty defended a head margin with Errill Magpie flying along the home straight for third, only a further head adrift in 29.57 (-20).

Shackleton adds to Thursday Feelgood factor
Just about securing the honour of fastest on the Christmas Thursday fixture was Shackleton (Budgie Marbh-Trying Times) and returning from a short layoff in sparkling form, the September 2020 whelp added further to a hugely successful evening for connections of the Feelgood Racing Syndicate.

Last seen in a bumpy outing at the beginning of October, the McKenna & Ruth trained runner showed no signs of racing rust when breaking on level terms from his ideal trap 1 draw and matched strides with Cherry Hinton on the run to the bend within a tightly packed field. Striking the front at the top of the backstraight however, Shackleton eased clear beyond halfway for a comfortable five length verdict over the running-on Cashel Rex in 29.44 (-20).

Next best on the night, David Walsh’s Tribal Council (Ballymac Best-Warm Breeze) doubled his win tally in the GRI A5 525, staying stoutly in 29.65 (-20). Cabra Kobe led the charge to halfway before ceding his lead to Miss Celebrity who in turn found the Walsh winner ranging up on the outside off the last bend as Tribal Council eased clear to a three-quarter length verdict.

Another winner doubling their win tally when claiming the Split The Pot A6 525 was the Come Dine With Me Syndicate’s Dripping Wet (Droopys Sydney-Stuckeybawn). On the back of strong staying placed efforts, the Brendan Everard trained December 2020 whelp was again headed in the early exchanges but third to the top of the backstraight, set sights on pacesetter Sophias Sapphire on the approach to the closing bends. Railing tightly while striking the front entering the home straight, Dripping Wet held three and a half lengths over that same rival in 29.67 (-20).

Commencing the Thursday fixture in the night’s A8 525, Kim Taylor’s Cashel Ava (Malachi-Ballacolla) stepped up from her debut third for a maiden victory while leading throughout a three-length defeat of Rathfalla Lexi in 29.90 (-20) before Roscomroe Rusty (Droopys Biker-Rosmult Bliss) also claimed maiden success for Betty Higgins when defending a half-length winning margin over Totos Farloe in their 29.84 (-20) A5 525 clash.

The remaining A4 525 was another tight affair with Pat & Mary Kennedy’s Dromulton Jet (Droopys Jet-Kingdom Queen) defending his rails pitch at the opening bend before leading home On Stage Poppy for a half-length verdict in 30.00 (-20) for a fifth career win.