Catunda Quinn triumphs in Signet Ace at Stud Trophy

Catunda Quinn triumphs in Signet Ace at Stud Trophy

Due to the high temperatures, race meetings at Lifford were postponed over the weekend in the interests of greyhound welfare, but conditions improved by Monday to  allow a seven-race  programme at Brandywell to take place, featuring the Signet Ace @ Stud Trophy, sponsored by Kevin Hutton. 

Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23), owned by Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill, claimed her first win in race one, despite initially losing ground at the second turn, finishing with a time of 17.25. Her littermate, Sevenofdiamonds, already has an impressive record over the sprint trips at Central Park. 

In race two, Thomas Mullan's Luminous Nelly (Serene Ace x Likely Gift, Sep ’23) made it two consecutive wins. Although moderately away, Nelly held her inside position and held Enchanting Pepsi’s late challenge to finish in 17.37 for the 300 yards. Mulroy Torpedo was a creditable third after being crowded at the first bend.  

Sienna (pictured below) was visiting with her family from the US and got to cuddle Nelly after she won race two. 

Veteran Ontimeforthree (Laughil Blake x Scullys Flo, Aug ’20), who turns five years old next month, delivered the night's fastest time in race three, winning by 4.25 lengths in 16.74 for Paul and Justin Hughes, recording his eighth career win. 

In the feature race four, the £250 Signet Ace @ Stud Trophy, Catunda Quinn (Ballymac Anton x Cabra Diva, Feb ’22), owned and trained by Stephen Radcliffe, overtook Shrewd Stories to win by 1.5 lengths in 28.28, marking his 13th career victory. 

Thanks must go to Kevin Hutton for sponsoring this event, along with the Dorotas Wildcat @ Stud Trophy Race a few months ago. Trainer Stephen Radcliffe also won that event with the Colm McConomy-owned Inniskeen Mandy. This is the second year that Kevin Hutton has generously supported these two feature races at Brandywell.  

Race five saw Corcass Coyote (Good News x Corcass Hope, Oct ’23) earning his first career win in 28.42 for owners Patrick Edgar and Richard Graham. This lad looks like a shrewd purchase from the recent Cork Sales. He was crowded on the run to the first bend but had plenty of early pace to still get ahead of his rivals at the turn and the 500-yard trip played to his strengths, as he was able to hold off the late challenge of Galliagh Voice.  

Dermot Coney’s Easy Choice (Good News x Barfett Bullett, May ’23) captured race six in 28.05 from trap six, claiming his third career victory. Spiritinthesky finished strong in second and showed promise for future races. 

Old Fort Lakota (Coolavanny Hoffa x Atealive, May ’23) dominated the finale over 300 yards in 16.92, showcasing something like her top form for owner Tony Teague. The consistent Meet More Often secured second place. 

The next Brandywell meeting is scheduled for Monday, 28th July, featuring the Johnny McLaughlin Memorial Sprint and the Daniel Canning Memorial 500 heats.