Greyhounds: Double for holland
Monday November 09 2009
GREYHOUNDS: Graham Holland continued his whirlwind finish to the year when landing both semi-finals of the Red Mills Masters at Waterford on Saturday.
In the opener, Holland's recent Laurels hero Sevenheads Bay was a close second behind St Louis Spirit down the far side but took it up on the inside on the third bend and then ran on strongly to beat St Louis Spirit by a length in 29.89, with Global Hope finishing fast to take the third final spot a half length adrift.
In the second heat, Holland's Broadacres Turbo was in front all the way, riding a bump on the opener to sail clear into the far side. This strong runner went on to win by three lengths from Ballymac Under in 29.93. The favourite, Oran Classic, survived a slow start and a first-bend check to take third spot two lengths back. Fatboyz Nodrog was the star of the night at Shelbourne, where he won the top 525 in 28.51, beating Glencullen Lad and Almost Chilli comfortably.
The big race of the weekend was the Vetsearch Irish Grand National final at Harold's Cross and here Distant Legend successfully defended his title. Julie Power's dog only got back into the final as a reserve in place of the injured Toomaline Jack but he struck the front thanks to a big leap at the third hurdle and went on to take victory by three and a half lengths from Julie's second string Lisacaha King in 29.10.
TRAP DRAW
Red Mills Masters final
Waterford -- Saturday
1 Sevenheads Bay; 2 Oran Classic; 3 Global Hope; 4 Ballymac Under; 5 Broadacres Turbo; 6 St Louis Spirit (w).
Irish Independent
