Toolmaker Josepe sets the pace on opening night of Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St Leger
The opening round of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud was run at Limerick over the weekend with the quickest heat going to Toolmaker Josepe.
Callaway Pro Am at Stud Irish St.Leger Round 1 Heat 6
Nick Gleeson and Eamonn Finn whose Dog Toolmaker Josepe won the Callaway Pro Am at Stud Irish St.Leger Round 1 Heat 6 at Limerick Greyhound Stadium - Pic Brendan Gleeson
Irish St Leger - Round One
The curtain rose on the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Irish St. Leger at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night with a thrilling display of top-class greyhound racing, and it was Toolmaker Josepe who stole the spotlight with a standout comeback performance in the sixth heat.
Trained by Robert Gleeson and owned by William Hyslop, Toolmaker Josepe roared back to form in style. Despite a string of recent defeats, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer proved why he's still one of the leading lights of Irish greyhound racing. After a sluggish start from trap two, Josepe turned on the jets at the halfway mark, powering through the field to win by a commanding four and a half lengths in 29.68.
Defending champion Clonbrien Treaty also made his long-awaited return in heat seven and looked every inch a serious contender for a historic three-in-a-row. The superstar flashed his trademark early pace but was caught in the final strides by Blastoff Heffo, who impressed with a strong late surge to win in 29.78. Trained by Philip Buckley, ‘Heffo’ showcased great stamina and determination to notch a memorable victory.
Buckley completed a superb double earlier in the evening when Blastoff Cooper led from the front in heat five to edge out the fast-finishing Cagey Billy. Cooper, jointly owned by Robert Bradshaw, posted 29.73 in a gritty half-length win.
Elsewhere on the card:
Hello Diego opened the night with a come-from-behind win in heat one for Paul Hynes and Paul Hennessy, storming past In Good Time in the closing strides (29.81).
Ballyhimikin Ben, trained by Graham Holland for Kenny Glen, delivered a battling performance to take heat two in 29.94, holding off kennel companion Bartley Mainoo.
Daleroad Duke justified his odds-on favouritism in heat three with a dominant five-length success for Pat Guilfoyle in 29.74.
Heat four saw Faypoint Harvey make all to land a win for Patricia Flanagan and Graham Holland in 29.81.
Swithins Jim, trained by Peter Cronin, brought the night to a dramatic close in heat eight, flying home late to deny Drombeg Banner by a head in 29.90.
With the opening round now complete, anticipation builds as the competition intensifies. A blend of seasoned stars and exciting prospects has already set the tone for what promises to be a gripping renewal of the Irish St. Leger at Limerick.
