New Limerick track record over 800y tops last week's performances

Eleven-year-old track record falls at Limerick

It is rare to see an 800y race at Limerick these days but despite their paucity, Killacola Hill setting a new track record for the distance warrants being the performance of the week there. Lodge Lady had set the prior record in November 2014, a run that is just a spot slower than the new mark. 

Only two dogs have gone quicker this year that Rural Ana did over Curraheen Park's 550y distance at the weekend. A litter sister to Time Juvenile Derby finalist Rural Pest, the slight step up in distance proved ideal, strong at the line. She runs the bends as smooth as silk and gives the impression that there is better to come from her next year.

It was a typically competitive fight for the Shelbourne award with any number of smart winning displays. In the end it was the 575y effort from Hackney Corner that just tipped the scales. Droopys Faithful won the award last week over this same distance, going just 11 spots quicker. His effort was the fifth quickest of 2025 so far.

Clocking 28.58 on debut at Tralee like Gaytime Teco did is going to get clock-watchers interested. The track has been running quick this year, but it is still an impressive time to produce as an opening gambit. Bred along the same lines as English Derby winner Gaytime Nemo, he is from one of the very first litters from his sire to hit the track. Brendan O'Connell could have a very smart one on his hands here. 

Going sub 21 seconds for Dundalk's 400y trip is a very solid marker of a dog, Macash Magpie just dipping below that barrier last week. His was the 23rd time of the year to do so on just his sixth career start, adding his name to the likes of Lennies Tank, Broadstrand Syd, Magical Luka and Droopys Patriot. 

Sub 21 secon