compass points in the right direction

The "compass man" as he is fondly known came to tralee last night for his first visit and duly got a brilliant result with all six runners he had entered for the kingdom derby qualifying...well nearly..lol compass don dead heated for third with tasty rambler and a toss was decided on and he lost out but word on the track last night was that compass seamus who is just back from injury Will be withdrawn thus allowing compass don back into the sweep proper as first reserve
There was a good gaggle of non runners on the night which was a disappointment,pat curtins runners didn't make it down in time after getting stuck in traffic in abbeyfeale so he missed kenneling time this resulted along with other absentees in 3 five dog races and 1 four dog race which is far from ideal however the show must go on and the remaining runners did themselves proud with some top class displays
heat 1 is where last years winning trainer mossie o connor went to battle with the highly regarded kick for touch this fella has been burning up tralee track of late and was favourite to continue on his way in what looked a very tricky heat with lots of early pace anyways it didn't go to plan after a moderate enough break he clipped the rail at the first bend but was still in contention going into the third bend where he ran into the back of compass honey losing his chance the winner here was evons murrali a favourite of mine and he did it well from the front after taking a flyer he won in a quick 28.56
heat 2 riverside kid here was the jolly after an encouraging trial in clonmel but he had to give best to my neighbours dog dishwasher Dave who recorded an all the way in in a personal best of 28.65 riverside had every chance when being upsides at the third bend but faded very badly to finish 5th
heat 3 shane murphys cyclers lark was the fav here but he failed to qualify the winner here coming from trap 2 in the shape of cashen zag,compass mikey led the field a merry dance for a long way but cashen zig was closing all the time from the 3rd bend on and just got up to win on the line in 28.70
heat 4 college finsceal a full sister of college causeway came in here as a reserve and duly flew the lids to power right away and win by 7 lengths in 28.52 over a distance that would be a bit on the short side for her there was some trouble in behind but his was a fine run all the same from this lady who usually is not noted for her early pace
heat 5 a 4 runner affair another local dog coming out on top in the shape of scart hawk he looked to have an uphill task granted though the 4 runner field did him no harm either anyways it matters little now as this lad pinged the lids and won by a fast diminishing length in 28.84 with an unlucky fermoyle honcho in 2nd
heat 6 local hope ballymac bull headed the betting here after a cpl of very promising runs around tralee and cork and it all looked rosie as he took up the lead at the first bend but the ann wade trained snowy hill was never far away from this fella and after a ding dong battle snowy hill shaded it on the line in a smart 28.58
heat 7 bar one sprint winner almightyjack looked to be the one to be on here and after a fast break he was home and hosed very early on winning in 28.57 bellmore ranger ran on to be a game 2nd
heat 8 the final heat of the night saw owen mckennas side bet a very short 4/5 with the books and rapid express a recent winner in cork looked value in my book and that was how it turned out this lad flying the lids to win in a comfortable 28.53 and completing a fine double for ann wade all in all a good nights racing but it has to be said the attendance on the night was very poor whether you can put this down to the cold night is hard to say but considering the money on offer and the quality of dogs on show its a shame it wasn't supported a little better