Clare dogs have continued their top form both in Galway and in the capital with Coolavanny Chick’s latest wins among the highlights.
The Noel Hehir of Inagh owned Coolavanny Chick turned in another winning performance in the English Derby on Saturday night last she was the fourth Irish trained winner of the night as she again set a strong gallop from the early yards. Coolavanny Chick was on her way to another fine victory, however. Antigua Boy did chase her hard throughout but Coolavanny Chick flew up the straight to record a length and three quarters victory in 29.52. For her next outing she is boxed in trap six and will be fancied to book her place in the semi-final.
Clare dogs were again on top form at the Galway track on Friday night last as the traps rose for the A2 graded 575 contest Astro Abby was best away with Wee Small Hours out wide but on the long run to the opening bend the Michael Casey of Mullagh owned Mall Finn Junior surged between runners and took command of the contest at the opening bend.
Turning down the back the Martin Fahy trained son of Rio Quatro & Paradise Maria set sail for home and lengthening his raking stride he was in control leaving the back straight. Clear off the home bend he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of the gallant Astro Abby in 31.55.
In the early strides of race three, an A5 contest over 525 yards Cragbrien Bengie and Flighty Lady were both away smartly with Cragbrien Bengie leading by a length rounding the opening bend. Turning down the back Flighty Lady took a narrow advantage on the outer but approaching the penultimate corner the Martin Cronin and Robbie Markham of Ennis took command of the contest again as the son of Sparta Maestro and Cragbrien View went clear to defeat Zero Space by six lengths in 29.53.
Tromora Skip owned by Quilty’s David Hogan recorded her third career success in race four, an S6 graded contest. She made all to defeat Corrandulla Brae by five and a half lengths in 19.28. Very smartly into her stride the daughter of Good News and Tromora Sonic was in control rounding the opening bend. Tracking well between the two bends she drew right away off the home bend for a convincing success.
It was fifth time lucky for Ferryfourth Jess in race six, an A6 graded contest. Owned by Frank Casey of Newmarket-on-Fergus, she led at the crown of the home bend on her way to a six and a quarter length success over Callanna Psycho in 29.80. Callanna Psycho and Cherokee Champ disputed the lead racing to the opening bed rounding which the latter shot three lengths clear. Approaching the third bend though Ferryfourth Jess took dead aim at the leader and once in front she quickly settled the outcome in a matter of strides .
The outcome of race seven, an A4 graded contest was effectively decided at the opening bend with all six runners within two lengths of the lead there was plenty of bunching but right along the rails the Eve & Martin Crowe of Roselevan owned Mr Logan held his ground well and turned down the back three lengths to the good. Passing halfway the lead had extended to five lengths as the Donie Duggan trained runner stayed on really well to defeat Knockmeale Star by five and a quarter lengths in 29.29.
Clare’s only winner on Saturday night’s card came in the concluding A3 graded 525 Yards contest. Puck Out and Heathlawn Wonder were away well but on the run up the former edged outwards all the way leading to some crowding at the opening bend. Tending down the back though the John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan Queen moved through along the inner and once she drew alongside Puck Out the outcome never looked in doubt. Surging to the front nearing halfway Rathmeehan Queen (Droopys Nidge-Rathmeehan Cragg) quickly settled the outcome as she drew right away from her rivals to defeat Spin The Coin by six lengths in 29.20.
