Clonmel racing manager Eddie Anderson believes Clares Rocket’s track record breaking performance in the 
Produce Stakes second round rates “as the best I have seen in 40 years.”
The Graham Holland trained dog rocketed clear of the traps and just went further and further away from his field. He crossed the line with twelve and a half lengths to spare over Heavens Lily in 27.87, some 31 spots quicker than Jo Jo Fantasy’s previous best for the course and distance.
Anderson said: “It was an unbelievable run, a time I never expected to see at Clonmel. We weren’t due to roll the track until after his heat, if we had done so before, God only knows what sort of time he would have clocked. He actually broke the track record to the halfway mark, and the track record from the halfway mark to the winning line, in addition to the overall record.
“He had looked capable after slipping at the boxes and finding trouble in the first round and still recording 28.26. If you add that to his 28.06 at Shelbourne and 28.00 at Limerick, this is some greyhound.”
Anderson thinks that the track’s racing surface, silica sand imported from Scotland, has a lot to do with the consistency of the going.
He said: “It is superb stuff and particularly comes into its own in wet weather. It takes the water so well.”
Looking ahead he says: “It looks all at the mercy of Graham Holland. Jo Jos Fantasy ran on very well to qualify after all sorts of trouble. I also like the looks of Francie Murray’s Aday Late. He has sensational early pace, absolutely blistering speed, to the third bend but isn’t getting home. He could have a big future over shorter distances.”
CLONMEL
SUNDAY, MAY 1
Race 2 525 Yards
COOLAVANNY WENDY 2/1 (6) 28.73
(Premier Fantasy-Cabra Millie)
wbk D Jan 14. Mr. Mark Lowther
Escapism (1) 1L
College Paradise (3) nk
Rockybay Captain (4) 2L
Churchtown Bound (5) dis
Amanita Chic (2)
Race 3 525 Yards
A DAY LATE 5/2 (1) 28.51
(Shaneboy Lee-And We Will)
bk D Apr 14. The-Trying-Hard-Syndicate
Razldazl Tierna (3) 3.5L
Rivervale Pal (4) 1.5L
Vancouver Colin (5) 4L
Borna Heidi (2) 11L
Race 4 525 Yards
SKYWALKER MANNER 4/6F (4) 28.70
(Leeview Jet-Jibberish)
bkw D Jun 14. Mrs. Anne O’Connor
Ballybough Bergo (6) 6.5L
Crohane Ronnie (3) 5L
Christines Scoob (1) 0.5L
Concrete Jungle (2) 3L
Popular Darren (5) 5.5L
Race 5 525 Yards
ANOPHELES 5/2 (3) 28.40
(Droopys Scolari-Ballymac Razl)
bk D Mar 14. Mr. Javier Jarne
Jo Jo Fantasy (1) 10.5L
Tynwald Dinney (6) sh
Ballyriggan Sal (4) 1L
Mumhan Magic (5) 1L
Malteser Man (2) 4.5L
Race 6 525 Yards
CLARES ROCKET 2/7F (5) 27.87
(Confident Rankin-Lemon Madrid)
wbk D Jun 14. Full-House-Syndicate
Heavens Lilly (2) 12.5L
Borna Candy (1) hd
Reagrove Ellie (4) 2L
Keswick Boy (3) 7.5L
Shaneboy Style (6) 2.5L
Race 7 525 Yards
NOMADIC LEADER 9/4 (5) 28.39
(Droopys Cain-Nomadic Sal)
bk D Feb 14. Mrs. Elizabeth Lonergan
Ramble Inn (3) 3L
Barntick Jet (4) 3L
Pegasus (6) 3.5L
Freedom Brogan (1) 3L
Maytown Eclipse (2) 1.5L
Race 8 525 Yards
MOUNTAYLOR QUEEN 5/2 (2) 28.54
(Skywalker Puma-Skywalker Queen)
bk B Apr 14. Ms. Frances O’Donnell
Haliska Rubra (6) 5L
Slipalong Champ (1) 2L
Alfies Diamond (3) 2.5L
Aglish Rebel (4) 1L
Skywalker Gail (5) sh
Race 9 525 Yards
DROOPYS NINE 6/4 (3) 28.84
(Central City-Droopys Solange)
bk D Feb 14. Brinkley-Connolly-Davis-Synd
Droopys Acrobat (1) 2.5L
Ground Hurler (5) 3L
Skywalker Luke (2) 0.5L
Satin Percy (4) 4L
