*A delighted John Meehan with Bling Bling Paul.
Bling Bling Paul owned by Newmarket-on-Fergus’ John Meehan was a huge priced winner in the heats of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger.
Friday night’s Galway card featured the semi-finals of the Liam Brussels Memorial A5 525 Yards Stake generously sponsored by the Brussels family. In the second semi-final, Tuckeys Jet towards the outer and Croaghill Doris along the rails were both away very smartly racing wide apart the pair matched strides into the opening bend rounding which the Gary Pepper of Feakle owned Tuckeys Jet took definite advantage.
Turning down the back the son of Droopys Jet & Tuckeys Timer led by over three lengths from Croaghill Doris with Shawnee Pass and Creevy Chick close up. Leaving the back though the front pair were now clear as Croaghill Doris began to close and although gaining with every stride she was still a neck adrift of Tuckeys Jet at the line in 29.27. November 13th is the date for the final.
In race two on Saturday night’s card, the Thomas O’Connor of West Clare owned Master Of Magic certainly cast a spell on his A5 rivals in this contest as the son of Skywalker Farloe & Dave’s Ace got off the mark in splendid fashion at the seventh attempt coasting home seven lengths clear of Lingrawn Salmon in 29.08. Very smartly into his stride along the rails, Master Of Magic led Lingrawn Salmon by over two lengths rounding the opening bend. Railing well the winner extended his advantage to over four lengths racing towards halfway from where he gradually extended the advantage all the way to the line.
The break decided the outcome of the A2 graded contest as Cloneyogan Jet flew from traps and bagged the coveted rails berth racing towards the opening bend forcing the red jacketed Pinnacle Abbie to switch outside as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back, Cloneyogan Jet continued to show the way to Pinnacle Abbie with Danmar Daniel two lengths further back in third but rounding the third bend the Siobhan Garrahy of Lahinch owned Cloneyogan Jet( Kinloch Brae-Tiermana Rum) kicked on to ease away to a two & three quarter length victory in 29.21.
The concluding A4 graded contest went to two Clare natives John Collins (Kilmihil) and Albert Long (Ballyea) as Brickhill Daisy registered her sixth career success by two & a half lengths over Croaghill Linda in 29.34. Away well in company with Croaghill Linda and Creevy Silver the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Rathmeehan May just showed fractionally in front at the opening bend before taking a length out of her rivals turning down the back. Three lengths clear at halfway the winner was always in command of the contest from that point as she stayed on well all the way to the line.
Ten first round heats of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger took centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last. There was a minor upset in heat nine as Fast Fit Paddy (Ballymac Vic – Rosmult Martha) scored in good style for joint owners Paul Horig and John Quinn of Gort. It was Rahale Podge who made the early running from trap one and he continued to lead Fast Fit Paddy rounding the bottom two corners. However, the petrol gauge was flashing on Rahale Podge and Fast Fit Paddy, a 3/1 market chance, took full advantage as he stormed to the front for trainer Declan McDonagh of Liscannor.
There was a huge priced winner in the heat fifteen when victory went to the John Meehan of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned Bling Bling Paul. Both Pierno and Rural Star were expected to dominate this contest but in truth, once Bling Bling Paul was left in front at the opening turn, there was little chance of him being reeled in given he is quite competent over six bends. Setting a powerful gallop, the son of Sh Avatar and Killinan Reina powered clear of his rivals and he was four and a half lengths too good at the winning line. Vigorous Jim was second with Boylesportsbingo in third, while both Pierno and Rural Star made their exits from the stake. The time was 29.94 for the 10/1 chance.
