Little separated the winners on the stopwatch in the semi-finals of the Comerford Cakes Open 525 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Proud Graham continued his rapid improvement when going fastest with 28.10sec, while Owen McKenna’s Farloe Joey was almost as impressive when racing to a 28.11sec victory.
Proud Graham, an even money chance for the second eliminator flew out of trap one and was two lengths clear of Toolmaker Scot around the opening turn.
By the third bend he has pulled five lengths in front and eventually went on to score by four and a half lengths in 28.10sec. Juvenile Derby finalist was third.
Juvenile Derby winner Anopheles was the 9-4 favourite for the opening semi-final but his chances ended when he was led to the bend and checked up behind the leader Creamery Bale.
Creamery Bale went clear but was caught and passed by Owen McKenna’s strong running Farloe Joey, a 5-2 chance, who went on to score by three and a half lengths in 28.11sec. Anopheles ran on for third.
Draw for next Saturday’s final
1 Creamery Bale
2 Anopheles
3 Farloe Joey
4 Black Alder
5 Proud Graham
6 Toolmaker Scot
Easter Cup runner-up Slippery Fred was an impressive winner of the Feramo Greyhound Open 550 Final when pulling clear from the opening turn to slam Highview Premier by eight lengths in 29.61sec.
