The semi-finals of the Western Greyhound Owners And Breeders Association A3 525 Yards Stake were the twin features on Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium
In the second semi-final of the W.G.O.B.A. Hanover Luna was just about best away from her trap two berth and racing towards the opening bend she shaded the issue over Lissatouk Robbie on the wide outside with Breaghmore Joeys in third place rounding the opening bend where the front pair had a slight coming together with Hanover Luna taking a two-length advantage into the back straight. Racing down the back Hanover Luna continued to show the way to the wide running Lissatouk Robbie who begin to edge closer as they exited the back straight. Off the home bend the lead was now only a length as the Seamus McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Robbie (Deerjet Sydney & Lissatouk Peggy) summoned one last thrust up the straight and lead close home for a half-length success in 29.13.
In race three, Lakeside Teagan was very smartly into her stride in this A7 graded contest and racing towards the opening bend despite maintaining a wide route she led by two lengths from Aeryn Sun with Killaspic Lotto in third place as they negotiated the bend. Turning into the back straight Aeryn Sun joined issue with the early leader and racing past halfway the pair raced stride for stride as Ballyea Marshall began to move into a challenging position. Leaving the back straight Lakeside Teagan led again by a length and a half but all the while the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Marshall (Ballymac Best & Ballymac Markle) was edging closer with the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained runner asserting close home to prevail by three parts of a length in 29.75.
The semi-finals of the Sean Scully Memorial A5 525 Yards Stake were down for decision on Saturday night’s card at the same venue.
As the traps rose for the opening semi-final, Hollywell Raptor began well from his trap four berth and racing towards the opening bend he led from Urban Delight and Springwell Eddy . Approaching the turn the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained leader really switched on the turbo as he opened up a four-length advantage over his rivals as he entered the back straight. Striding powerfully past the halfway point the Stone Mad Two Syndicate owned son of Kinloch Brae and Hollywell Samba was out in splendid isolation as he approached the penultimate corner with Urban Delight continuing to lead the chase but the bird had well and truly flown as Hollywell Raptor crossed the line four lengths clear of Urban Delight with Hollywell Spider claiming third spot a length adrift in third place in 29.17.
In the second semi-final Alva Chase and Charming Ciara were both away well towards the inner and racing towards the opening bend the spur raced stride for stride Orbsen Fixit in third place as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Alva Chase led Orbsen Fixit by a length with Charming Ciara and Rockmount Kismet also close up as they approached the third bend. Nearing the home turn the Declan and Gerard Lillis of Cooraclare owned Alva Chase still held the call as Rockmount Kismet closed along the inner but digging deep the Declan McDonagh Liscannor trained Alva Chase (Jaytee Taylor & Luna Rocket) held her at bay by a length with Hanover Maryann grabbing third close home in 29.72.
Class wise the concluding A3 graded 525 yards contest was the top graded event of the night and as the traps rose Bumblebee Milan came away well along the rails and led from Portumna Amber and Caislean Diane with Lissatouk Sydney making ground towards the outer as the opening bend loomed where the letter was forced quite wide. Down the back straight Bumblebee Milan continued to show the way to Portumna Amber as the Brid McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Sydney began to recover the lost ground out wide. At the third bend the outcome of the contest was effectively settled as Lissatouk Sydney swept right round his rivals to assume command and striding clear between the fine two bends the son of Deerjet Sydney and Lissatouk Peggy scored impressively by three and a half lengths from Portuumna Amber in 29.03.
From Thursday’s SIS meeting at Limerick Greyhound stadium, the commencing race was won by Short Blue for Leo McNulty from Drumline in 29.23, this was a first career success for this son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Bake.
Sixmilebridge trainer Stephen Murray was in the winner’s enclosure with Run for Mary who duly obliged in 29.79, this was career win number five for this daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Risky Reward and she is owned by the How deep is it syndicate. Tulla trainer Donie Duggan won the finale of the day with California Sky in 29.87, he is a son of Slippery Robert and smooth shot and this was his first career success.
