Ante post favourite Queen Joni was eliminated from the second round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks as Irish entry Droopys Mandolin took centre stage at Perry Barr on Saturday night.
Robert Gleeson’s Mandolin, a litter sister to Irish Juvenile Derby winner Droopys Flytline, bounced back from a first round defeat to clock the fastest run of the night, 28.03. Joni sister’s Queen Georgia was runner-up.
The McNair’s disappointment at the elimination would also have been partly eased with the 28.25 run from Queen Shakira – another girl with talented brothers – King Memphis and King Capaldi are among the leading contenders for the RPGTV Puppy Collar.
Amanda Jeal’s impressive Antigua Bingo made it 2:2 and demonstrated that she is prepared to battle, having shown her early paced credentials in the opening round.
28-1 shot Droopys Request landed the messiest race of the night where the unfortunate Crossfield Maxi was KO’d.
There was another double for Barry Denby with Bellmore Lola and Ballyhimikin Mel both seeming to relish the testing circuit with its long straights and significant run-in.
(SEMI FINAL DRAWS BELOW)
The MWD Partnership sent out the fastest winner in the Scurry first round, Quarteira. The Silver Salver and Coral Sprlnt finalist clocked the second fastest two-bender of the year, 16.04, with Bombout Bullet calculated to be just a neck slower in the next heat.
With Farneys Trend also keeping punters happy, the only first round shock was the elimination of the unlucky Hopes Knight in the last heat. However Richie Raberner’s Crossfield Larry continued his own impressive run of form. It was a seventh win in his last 10 races for the Monmore 210m record holder.
