AMAZING the way underfoot conditions at Tralee Track at this time of year can change dramatically from one night to the next. On Friday night, on the occasion of the second-round heats of the € 3,000-to-the-winner John and Mary "Killeacle" Dowling Memorial A1 Sweepstake, the track was running a full half a second slow for the 570yds trip, with appropriate deductions in times for other distances.

Just 24 hours later, the going was perfectly normal and, as it turned out, just one greyhound managed to get inside 29.00secs for the standard trip – which was the Ballybunion-owned Fortfield Meg.

It all, of course, comes down to the sand surface, which has proved to be a great replacement for the grass surface and which ensures continuity of racing except in the most exceptional circumstances (as applied in late December/ January).

The big event of the weekend was, of course, the John and Mary "Killeacle" Dowling Sweepstake. Four second-round heats were run off last Friday night and this has cleared the way for the semi-finals this Friday night.

The splendid prizemoney, made possible by sponsorship by the Dowling family, meant that the event was targeted by outside owners and trainers and, as in other years, it has turned out to be a terrific A1 event over the 570yds trip.

Very much the leading contender after the first round was Titan Tyrone, from the Golden, Co Tipperary, kennels of Graham Holland, and he produced another superb performance to win his second-round heat.

An August ' 06 son of Premier County and Shalome, the Scottishowned Titan Tyrone was a very hot order in the betting last Friday night at _ and he powered his way to victory by two and a half lengths from 6/1 outsider, Dusnsallagh Milo, in 31.73, which translates into 31.23 because of the going. The third qualifying place was taken by Stackies Book, which finished a length and a half behind Dunsallagh Milo.

Titan Tyrone, a wide seed, will be wearing the striped jacket again in the first semi-final this Friday night and it is difficult to envisage defeat for him.

Mind you, his winning time was bettered in another second-round heat by that great Ardfert warrior, Ardrahan Rotunda (Razldazl Billy – Whatsthemoodlike). Daniel Nolan's dog might have been very much an outsider at 4/1, but he put all his rivals totally in the shade on his way to a quite brilliant six-length victory over another outsider, Knockbawn Gorm, in 31.69 ( estimated, 31.19), with a length back to 6/4 favourite, Compass Smash.

Ardrahan Rotunda renews rivalry with Compass Smash in the second semi-final this Friday night, with another Compass dog, Compass Miko, also in the mix, and a marvellous race is in prospect.

Compass Miko was favourite at 6/4 to win the first of the second-round heats, but he was relegated to third place behind 5/ 1 outsider, Fortfield Maeve (Ballymac Maeve – Finuge Lass), owned by Maeve McMahon, of Ballybunion. Just like Ardrahan Rotunda, Fortfield Maeve belied her market position in a big way from a trap 1 draw and she raced home a length and a half ahead of Sashas Tipa in 32.00 (estimated, 31.50), with three lengths back to Compass Miko.

In the remaining second-round heat, a finish of necks materialised and victory rested with Rathanny Billy (Split The Bill – Cleanglass Maid), owned by Larry Keane, of Ballymacelligott. Rathanny Billy was wearing the blue sheet and this 3/ 1 shot prevailed in a driving finish from 6/ 1 outsider, Ballyfidora Pal, with the third qualifying spot being taken by Carrowkeal Sam. The time was 31.87 ( estimated, 31.37).

So, just twelve left standing and the draw for the semi-finals this Friday night resulted as follows (trap order):

First semi-final: Rathanny Billy, Sashas Tipa, Ballyfidora Pal, Stackies Book, Fortfield Maeve, Titan Tyrone.

Second semi-final: Knockbawn Gorm, Ardrahan Rotunda, Carrowkeal Sam, Dunsallagh Milo, Compass Smash, Compass Miko.

In relation to the rest of the card last Friday night. the going was .40 slow for 525yds and .20 slow for 325yds. The winners, all bitches, were: Redstone Corker, 30.18; Hurling Man, 18.70; Gold Supreme, 29.94; Lisdoonan Kelsi, 18.48;; Compass Honey, 19.55; Lead On, 29.46; Compass Bernie, 29.22; Gentle Queen, 32.00.