Friday night’s Galway card featured the Final of the Colin Barry Memorial Novice Sprint Sponsored by NC Paints and Moroneys Bar Ennis who also sponsored the Paddy Coote Memorial 525.
By Michael Maher
As the traps rose for the Final of the Colin Barry Memorial Novice Sprint all six runners came away as one with Crafty Toto just about best away towards the outer but it was the Tommy Skeffington owned Beebees Star that showed the best pace on the long run towards the opening bend as the red hot favourite Brioscai Gloire began to motor along the inner as they approached the turn. At the turn though Beebees Star held her ground well forcing the “jolly” to check wide. Off the home bend Beebees Star was in command and the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Absolutely Ace stayed on well to score by two and a half lengths in 19.36.
In the Paddy Coote Memorial 525 race again generously sponsored by Nc Paints & Moroneys Bar Ennis, this A3 graded contest was as good as over passing the halfway mark as the Lads Night Out In Dublin Syndicate of Clarecastle owned Insidethehuddle set sail for home. All six Clare owned participants were away in turns with Krystaline, Pinnalce Rio and Insidethehuddle lined across the track approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend Pinnacle Rio railed well and although keeping a wide berth the eventual winner struck the front entering the back straight. Striding out well the Gerry Reidy of Clarecastle handled son of Ballymac Best and Ballydoyle Grace led by four lengths exiting the back straight and although tying up close home was always in control of matters.
The first semi-final of the W.G.O.B.A. A5 Tri –Distance Stake resulted in a one-two for trainer Martin Fahy as Menmal Princess (Paddys Magic-Cottage Brandy) who he owns on partnership with Michael Casey of Mullagh held off the late challenge of Donegal Tom by a length at the line in 30.79. Menmal Princess was very smartly into her stride and rounding the opening bend she led Donegal Tom and Cheetara by over two lengths rounding the bend. Racing along the back Menmal Princess extended her advantage to over three lengths and railing well she looked set for an easy success until Donegal Tom stayed on well from the home bend to be closest at the line.
In the S2 graded finale Confused Fitzy, Burrow Busty and Cormore Harrier were all away well with the Gerry Manley of Cratloe owned Confused Fitzy showing the best pace to lead by over two lengths approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend the leader shot further clear of his rivals as Burnpark Ronaldo ran right round the wide outside to move into second spot but the bird had well and truly flown as Confused Fitzy (Confident Rankin-Confused Breda) scored by four and a half lengths in 19.04.
The opening contest on Saturday nights card at the Collage Road Venue was an A5 graded affair and racing towards the opening bend Rockalong Paloma, Killerk Black and Annadown Sky were lined across the track and rounding the bend Annadown Sky and Rockalong Paloma went on with the latter carrying her rival slightly wide but she still held a one length lead entering the back straight. Racing along the back Annadown Sky switched inside to challenge but had the door slammed in her face at the third bend as the Michael McNamara of Tulla owned Rockalong Paloma (Droopys Cain-Sues Stout) continued to lead but she was all out close home to prevail by a neck in 29.42.
As the traps rose for the Novice Sprint both Anna Be Slick and Burnpark Maggie came away half a length ahead of their rivals and racing towards the opening bend it was the Emily Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Maggie that showed the better pace to lead by over a length with Caislean Bambi in third place. Racing around the crown of the home bend Burnpark Maggie began to increase her advantage and the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Burnpark Leanne drew away to defeat Caislean Bambi by two and three quarter lengths in 19.42.
The A6 graded contest was effectively decided at the opening bend where the Siobhan Garrihy of Lahinch owned Cloneyogan Ivy enjoyed a trouble free passage along the rails and those on her outside got in each other’s way. Turning down the back the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained daughter of Laughill Blake and Cloneyogan Flash kicked three lengths clear as Medicine Bow made ground out wide. Leaving the back straight the gas was down to a length and although Medicine Bow tried hard Cloneyogan Ivy dug deep to prevail by half a length in 29.75.
The opening round heats of the €5,000 to the winner John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup A3 525 got underway at the Limerick Track on Saturday night last. In heat five, Wizard built on his smart 16.39 trial at Clonmel last time out to record a fourth career win for Gary Pepper of Feakle and Paraic Campion.
In the remaining opening round heat of the John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup, Tromora Rocket made light work of his field to win in convincing fashion. Owned by David Hogan of Quilty, Tromora Rocket was well drawn in one, but a moderate start saw him sit third early on as Castleivy Blake flew to the turn. However, making steady progress throughout, Tromora Rocket took charge at the three-quarter mark, and it wasn’t a race thereafter as the son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Cameo powered to victory. Six and a half lengths in it at the winning line, the time was a brisk 28.66.
