KILRUSH TRAINED Tiermana Hunter upset the odds to strike home first in the Connacht derby.
By Michael Maher
The semi-finals of the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby delivered plenty of thrills and spills at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night last.
After two brilliant performances in the earlier rounds, the standout performer up to this point had been the Pat Buckley-trained Grouchos Gregor, who was duly installed as the 4/5 favourite for the opening semi-final. However, he was to lose his unbeaten tag in the event as a missed break, coupled with an early bump effectively ended his chances of landing the spoils. Instead, it was a case of early pace winning the race as Tiermana Hunter, owned by the Supping-Away-Syndicate, made every yard of the running.
Drawn in trap two, ‘Hunter’ produced one of his customary ping starts from trap two before excelling on the long run to the opening bend. Hollywell Merlin soon emerged as the main threat out wide as Allison Coxon’s prolific tracker displayed fine early dash to move within striking distance. In behind, the Buckley runners Unanimous Leo and Grouchos Gregor were having their own battle in third and fourth respectively. Holding a lead of a length and a half entering the back straight, Tiermana Hunter was setting a strong gallop but failed to shake off the persistent Hollywell Merlin, who had closed to within three parts of a length rounding the bottom two bends.
Not to be outdone, the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained brindle found a second wind turning for home and the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty showcased his superior stamina in the closing stages to cross the line two lengths clear of Hollywell Merlin, who also ran an exceptional race in second. Grouchos Gregor, who did not enjoy the clearest of passages, showed good pace down the back to breeze past Unanimous Leo and claim the final qualifying position in third. The time was 30.38.10.
The line-up for the Final is, T1: Slippery Brian, T2: Grouchos Gregor, T3: Donishall Sam, T4: Tiermana Hunter, T5: Droopys Map, T6: Hollywell Merlin.
Saturday night’s Galway card featured the semi-finals of Irish Retired Greyhound Trust Novice 525 Yards Stake Semi Finals which opened the night proceedings. Racing towards the opening bend in the A7 graded contest Hanover Bluemoon set the tempo in the centre of the track with Island Ivy and Barntick Bolt close up on the leaders outside as they reached the opening bend. Rounding the bend, there was a slight coming together between Island Ivy and Barntick Bolt and this allowed Hanover Bluemoon open up a three length advantage on Barntick Bolt racing down the back straight, Racing around the third bend though Barntick Bolt began to bridge the gap to the leader and as they turned for home the John Reidy of Barntick Clarecastle owned Barntick Bolt (Dromana Bucko & Barntick Smokey) struck the front before surging clear up the straight to score by seven and a half lengths over Hanover Bluemoon in 29.52.
Down Limerick way on last Saturday night the Con & Annie Kirby Trial Stake went the way of the Paraic Campion trained Boozed Wish, who doubled his career tally with a trap-to-line success. Owned by Gary Pepper of Feakle, Boozed Wish had already dipped under 29 seconds on debut but was easy to back in the market, going to traps as a 5/1 outsider. He ignored those odds, however, showing his customary early pace to lead from trap five. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Road Queen opened a three-length lead passing the sprint boxes and his rivals never truly threatened thereafter. Kilcolgan Eddie stayed on well to claim second, but Boozed Wish had the race effectively sealed early, crossing the line three lengths clear in 28.56.
In the final of the unraced stake Donal Duggan of Tulla was represented by Myoldsligogirl and the 11/10 favourite duly delivered, going one better than her semi-final runner-up effort. Drawn in trap one, the daughter of Signet Ace and Candanchu, owned by the Hot-Tub Syndicate, made full use of her inside berth to slip around in front and avoid early trouble. She was soon locked in a thrilling buckle with Enniscouch Flash in six, but Myoldsligogirl showed great determination to prevail by one length, the time was 29.28.
Other recent winners from Limerick were Aqua Camellia for Tulla’s Donnacha McNamara a daughter of Dromana Bucko and Rockalong Aqua notched her first career success in 30.16. Snuggie Carson a son of Grangeview ten and Crotty Act, claimed his fourth career success in 29.30 for Myles Cummins of Newmarket-on-Fergus. Shanakyle Sally, had a six lengths victory for Parteen’s Joe Collins in 29.52, and this was career win number ten for this daughter of Malachi and Aarons Sensation.
