Clares Rocket (Confident Rankin-Lemon Madrid, Jun 14) appears to have himself to beat in next Sunday’s Produce Stakes Final at Clonmel.
Graham Holland’s pup took his recent record to 10/11 with another flawless performance in Sunday’s semi finals. The 4-7f cracked away in front (2.77 sect) and pulled away from an eight length win over Crogane Ronnie in 27.96. That followed previous victories in 28.27, 27.87 (TR), and 27.97. Rocket’s kennelmate Jo Jos Fantasy trailed the field early but ran on for a half length third.
The second semi saw the elimination of the fancied Droopys Nine in a race won by Mountaylor Queen (Skywalker Puma-Skywalker Queen, Apr 14). Frances O’Donnell’s black led all the way (2.91 sect) to win by a length from Puppy Derby winner Anopheles with favourite Escapism back in third.
Draw for final: 1) Mountaylor Queen, 2) Jo Jos Fantasy, 3) Anopholes, 4) Escapism, 5) Crogane Ronnie, 6) Clares Rocket
Racing manager Eddie Anderson said: “Apart from being knocked over, I can’t see Clares Rocket being beaten. He broke his own sectional coming home last night; he is the first dog to break 12 seconds. He is an exceptional greyhound as he makes very good greyhounds look average.
“Given the draw, I would say Anopheles looks the danger, but the favourite beat him well (6 lengths) when they met in the previous round.”
Anderson revealed that the emergence of a new superstar has boosted crowds at the Tipperary venue.
He said: “There were 600 people hear last night and I believe that a good number of them came to see Clares Rocket. That was a similar crowd to last year’s final. Overall, I believe crowds are well down at lots of tracks due to the Barking Buzz App.
“Why would anyone come out on a cold night when you could have a bet and watch the race on your phone? The Board (IGB) have definitely shot themselves in the foot with that one – at least in my opinion.”
