KILMIHIL OWNERS Thomas Keane and John Collins were among those in the winner’s circle in Galway over the weekend Miltown Malbay and Feakle had reason to shout in Limerick.
By Michael Maher
The concluding A1 graded contest over 525 yards was the feature event on Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium with the heats of the Talking Dogs A2 Tri-Distance Stake also down for decision these opening heats all over the 525 yards trip.
In the featured A1 finale Heathlawn Polly was best away in the centre of the track but racing towards the opening bend the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynnscroos Liz took command towards the inner and the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glynnscrosstyler led round the opening bend from Cloonturk Bruno. Racing towards the halfway mark the leader set sail for home as Cloonturk Bruno and Grangeview Lolo gave chase. Tracking well around the final two bends Glynnscross Liz stayed on powerfully all the way to score by two lengths from Cloonturk Bruno in 29.18.
Friday night’s Galway card featured the semi-finals of both the Galway Greyhound Stadium A7 525 Yards Stake and the RCETS APP S5 350 Yards Stake on a nine race programme that had the concluding A3 graded 525 yards contest as the top graded contest of the night .
As the traps rose for the finale, Joeys Girl was best away and she led on the run to the opening bend with Heathlawn Bullet and Fast Fit Lucky close up along the inner. Rounding the bend the trio had a slight coming together and this allowed the Kilmihil native John Collins and Mark Patterson owned Brickhill Buster to slip through and take over in front entering the back straight. Racing along the back, Brickhill Buster continued to show the way as Joeys Girl tried to get back on terms and Lillys Beauty closed in third place. Off the home bend Brickhill Buster (Ballymac Best and Brickhill Sharon) was still in front and he dug deep to see off the challenge of Lillys Beauty by a length in 29.37.
Last Saturday night there was a large attendance at Limerick Greyhound Stadium to view the twelve races on view. There was delight for Carmel and Paddy Egan from Miltown Malbay when their Waveofthesea, recorded a fourth and a career best with an eye-catching 28.74 victory for an A2 graded contest, she is a daughter of Pestana and Last Lady.
The finale of the evening was an A0 550 yards contest, and honours went to the ever-consistent Wizard, who notched career win number fourteen for Feakle’s Gary Pepper, a son of Magical Bale and Coolavanny Park, he stopped the clock in 30.12, he is trained by Tipperary’s Pauraic Campion.
The Other Kobe was crowned 2023 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby champion. At a packed Shelbourne Park on Saturday night last soon after the brilliant tracker had produced one of the most perfect displays ever seen on the biggest stage of all. For Jennifer O’Donnell from Killeanaule in Tipperary it was a case of déjà vu as her star emulated his brilliant litter brother, Born Warrior, by racing to Derby glory.
Owners Brian Clare, David L’estrange and Aidan Walsh purposely bought their star, on the recommendation of Teddy Hegarty, to win a Derby and their dream came true in the most emphatic fashion. Bockos Crystal and Bens Teddy both played their part in making this a truly memorable contest but the Other Kobe was imperious on the night that mattered and his name will go into the record books as the fastest ever Derby winner in a time of 29.11.
