BURNPARK LAYLA brought success to Cree owner Michael Browne in Friday’s racing in Galway.
By Michael Maher
Race number seven on Friday night’s Galway card was the Final of the Barking Buzz App Novice 350 Yards Stake and as traps rose Burnpark Layla was away like the wind from her trap four berth and racing towards the opening bend the Michael Browne of Cree owned daughter of Newinn Taylor and Burnpark Leanne led Rinnwood Gemn and Annadown Paddy by over two lengths. Approaching the home bend the leader had only Rinnwood Gem to worry about and on the straight the gain narrowed with every stride but Burnpark Layla just lasted home by a rapidly diminishing head at the line in 19.26.
In the first semi-final of the Novice 525 Stake, the Michael Fitzgerald of Kilrush owned Flyers Kirsty was very smartly into her stride in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Aminta led Crafty Keiko by two lengths with Lady Aston back in third place. Racing towards the third bend Crafty Keiko went for a run along the inner but found his path blocked as Flyers Kirsty kicked again on her way to a four length success over Crafty Keiko inn 29.06.
In the second semi-final, Rebellious Rosie, Rockmount Skiddo and Jimonfaya were all away well with Messalina also showing pace along the rails approaching the opening bend. Turning to run down the back Messalina led along the inner as the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained Jimonfaya closed in second place before joining issue approaching the halfway mark. Racing towards the penultimate corner Jimonfaya made his move and the Peter Mulrooney owned runner took command of the contest and although Messalina gave game chase Jimonfaya (Superior Panama-Cabra Skylar) was home by three parts of a length in 29.74.
In the concluding A3 graded 550 yards contest Blaze Bill was away well along the inner and racing towards the opening bend the son of Rising Brandy and Drahbeg Princess showed plenty of early pace to lead Barnora Bella by two lengths approaching the opening bend . Turning down the back Blaze Bill set sail for home and with trouble behind the front two were clear passing halfway . From the crown of the home bend Barnora Bellla did begin to close but Tony Brigdale’s of Ennis owned Blaze bill was home and hosed by a length at the line in 30.78.
It was a successful weekend for the Ennis handler as he was back in the winners enclosure on Saturday night after the concluding A2 graded 525 in which from traps Blaze More Fire in the red jacket was away smartly and racing towards the opening bend the son of Ballymac Best and Blaze Bee led from Flyers Magu and Pats Best Girl. Tracking well the Kim Bennis and Tony Brigdale of Ennis owned leader took a couple of lengths out of his rivals and at halfway led by three lengths. Again tracking well between the final two bends Blaze More Fire stayed on well to defeat Flyers Magu by four and a half lengths in 28.90.
The opening contest of the night was an A4 graded 525 Yards contest and from traps Nephin Dubh and Bobtailbuttercup were prominent on the wide outside and as the opening bend loomed the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Peggy slipped through along the rails to head Nephin Dubh into the back straight. Racing along the back Lissatouk Peggy continued to show the way top her rivals and although she briefly looked in trouble rounding the home bend the daughter of Doritos Woo Hoo and Lissatouk Lady saw off the challenge of Nephin Dubh by a length and three parts in 29.50.
Last Thursday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Shanakyle Blue got the Clare flag flying in the opening A7 contest for Joe Collins from Parteen, a son of Malachi and Our Blue Velvet he recorded a third career win 29.82.
Ciaran and Donal Cooney from O’Callaghan Mills enjoyed the exploits off Killuran Sparky who recorded a first career success in 29.24, sparky is a son of Good News and Anhid Classic
There was also a first career win for Malabar Lane for Clarecastle’s, Terry Moloney, a daughter of Laughil Blake and Cherry Lane, she stopped the clock in 29.55 for an A7 graded contest.
The accolade for the fastest time of the evening went to Quilty Horace for Seamus Burke from Ennis, with an impressive 28.89 performance, this was career win number five for this progressive son of Droopys Cain and Klockwork Tip. Dietary Advise made no mistake for Enistymon’s Tom Flanagan in an A2 graded contest.
