21-05-2025
Flashing Saffron leads field in Unraced Stake final at Enniscorthy greyhound stadium
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From trap rise it was the Pat Buckley-trained pair Flashing Saffron (trap three) and trap four runner Open Debate both coming away fast, with the leading lights posting a flying sectional of 3.09 to ensure it was a two-runner race from that point.
Flashing had the inside line and led from her kennel mate, and she was not for passing.
As hard as Open Debate tried, Saffron was always holding him with a length between them at the line in a fast time of 28.63.
Flashing's only defeat was in round one and she was a most deserving winner.
Trap five runner Tapa Tony was again badly held up at the first bend and did extremely well to be only two and a half lengths away in third.
The night got even better for Buckley as Ballinabola Gino raced to a clearcut six lengths win as odds-on favourite in a good time of 28.87.
Another Ballinabola runner, Jake, set the fastest run of the week in race three, owned by Mary Murphy and trained by Brendan P. Murphy.
Getting away well from the outside box, Jake was in front around the opening bends.
And while trap five runner Bono Champ put in a good effort to try to get on terms down the back, Ballinabola simply powered home from off the final bend to score an impressive seven and a half lengths win in a very fast 28.52.
Thursday night belonged to Enniscorthy trainer Thomas Codd when recording a fine treble.
It started in race one where his Cushie Mystery, racing from trap one, broke well to lead.
And while trap two runner Ruby's Trinity tried to get on terms, Cushie was not stopping and ran out a snug three lengths winner in a good 29.04.
Next up was Cushie Sue (race five) as she got out well from her trap five draw to cut the bend.
Sweeping to the rail and leaving barging behind her, she ran out an easy six lengths winner.
Completing the treble was Cushie Rustic in race eight. After leaving some barging behind, he ran out a clearcut 11 lengths 29.06 winner in another night to remember for the Cushie prefix.
In Waterford on Saturday night the Carol O'Connor and Brendan Murphy (Ferns)-trained Rockmount Stella, who has been going along nicely in recent weeks, recorded another good win in a good time of 28.78.
She has won her last two starts and four of her last six starts, finishing runner-up the other two.
She is improving with every run, and this was her best run so far.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
Race one: 1, Cushie Mystery (owner, Thomas Codd, Enniscorthy), 29.04; 2, Ruby's Trinity, three lengths.
Race two: 1, Ballyroe Blue (owner, Colm O'Neill; trainer, Patrick Whelan, Enniscorthy), 29.32; 2, Stripe Blueboy, twelve lengths.
Race three: 1, Mr Lacey (owner, Kieran Creane, Enniscorthy), 29.28; 2, Caitlin's Flyer, five lengths.
Race four: 1, Hillbilly Dixie (owner, Joseph Keeling, Wexford town), 29.40; 2, Glenart Chief, two and a half lengths.
Race five: 1, Cushie Sue (owner, Marea Codd; trainer, Thomas Codd, Enniscorthy), 29.44; 2, Lord Sydney, six lengths.
Race six: 1, Cill Dubh Theo (owner, Martin Bergin, Co. Kilkenny), 29.16; 2, Vinegarhill War, one length.
Race seven: 1, Likeashadow (owners, GDG Syndicate), 29.17; 2, Leinsterfivestar, six lengths.
Race eight: 1, Cushie Rustic (owner, Thomas Codd, Enniscorthy), 29.06; 2, Tachenko, eleven lengths.
Race nine: 1, Ballinabola Pixi (owner, Brendan Murphy; trainer, Brendan P. Murphy, Ballinaboola), 29.40; 2, Mistern Sam, three-quarters of a length.
