*Rose and Martin Kelly present the winning trophy to Stephen Murray, Ennis, after Loose Woman won the WGOBA Deceased Members 550 Final, at the Night of Finals, at the Galway Greyhound Stadium. Also in photo are Johnny Maloney, Martin O’Driscoll, Marian and Danny Potter and Kevin Ryan.
Loose Women helped Sixmilebridge’s Stephen Murray back to the winners enclosure with the top public trainer of 2021 celebrating in Galway once again.
December 23rd was finals night at Galway Greyhound Stadium with no fewer than ten final down for decision on the twelve race programme with all finals sponsored by the Western Greyhound Owners & Breeder Association.
Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge who was named top public trainer for 2021 was in the winners enclosure once again after the Deceased Members A2 550 Final where the Helen Vaughan of Quin owned Loose Women never saw another rival in this final as she delivered a career best to score by three lengths from Crokers Wish in 29.99.
Trapping superbly, the Murray handled daughter of Laughill Blake and Ranchers Rainbow led Crokers Wish and Christophorus by two lengths in the long run towards the opening bend rounding which she increased her advantage to three lengths over Crokers Wish entering the back straight.
There was a thrilling finish to the Pat O’Loughlin Top Team A3 Final as the Buttsys Buckos Syndicate of Shannon owned Buttsys Bullet just denied the renewed challenge of Croaghill Lizzy by an ever diminishing neck in 29.33. In the early strides the wide seeded Croachill Lizzy showed plenty of pace to lead in the run towards the opening bend from Croaghill Jaytee and Buttsys Bullet. Rounding the opening bend the eventual wine trailed well to clave right up on the leader entering the back straight. At halfway Buttsys Bullet went to the front and led by two lengths at the third but despite running wide around the home bend Croaghill Lizzy produced a tremendous rattle that just failed to collar Buttys Bullet at the line.
2021’s final meeting took place on December 30th at Galway Greyhound Stadium. In the S5 graded sprint contest, the Frank Casey of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned Erril Star record her second career success as she made all the running to defeat Shammer Dubh by two lengths in 19.64. From traps the daughter of Toolatetosell & Snow Eva was away well and racing towards the opening bend was closely attended to by Sports Friend on her outer with Shammer Dubh in third place just behind the pair. Rounding the home bend the winner kicked on and she stayed on well all the way to the line to win going away.
The outcome of the A5 contest was in little doubt from the halfway mark as the Kieran and Aaron Nugent of Ballyea owned Killerk Black was out in splendid isolation in front five lengths clear of his rivals. Having trapped well the son of Ballymac Best & Dynamic Cool Sky led from Lillies Joy and Sports Degree rounding the opening bend and striding out well was clear down the back. Approaching the home turn the winner did drift wide off the rails but he was home for all money from an early stage.
In race ten, the Three Pointer Syndicate owned Give It Up trained by Sixmilebridge’s Murray put up a fine performance in taking this A3 graded contest by five lengths from Banter Blitz in 29.22. Trapping well on the wide outside the son of Azza Azza Azza and Demon Cause headed the pace setting Whitelaced Boots rounding the opening bend and tracking well around the second bend he led Peteles Countess by two lengths racing towards the halfway mark. Approaching the penultimate corner the winner extended his advantage one again as he stayed on powerfully all the way to the line.
