Johnny parece que se gana el favor de la prensa especializada. Johnny no ha gozado del interés mediático de otros sprinters a pesar de haber sido declarado el mejor sprinter en Irlanda de 2007. Su excelente campaña en 2008 después de una importante operación de gracilis, parece haber influido en el cambio de opinión. El prestigio no se lo han regalado, se lo ha ganado a pulso con sus actuaciones y el extraordinario trabajo de Martin Lanney.

Columna de Michael Fortune:

GATILLO STARS

The card also included the four second round heats of the HPW Super Sprint and fastest was last year’s Sprint Award winner Johnny Gatillo. The odds on favourite led all when beating Marty Party by two and a half lengths in 18.54.

Next best on the clock was Hond The Gond as he held off the powerful finish of Armagh Vieri by half a length in 18.66.

The first heat saw Tyrur Jay beat Tyrgal Jo by a length and a quarter in 18.89, while Pepe Le Pue finished strongly to beat Forest Patriot by over seven lengths in 18.86. Among the high profile second round casualties were Clonrooske Bart, Kryptonite, So Handsome, Diego Meister and Gingko.