TUBBER and Sixmilebridge connections will have plenty of interest in the €1500 Flanagan and Keane memorial stake.
The semi-finals of the Tom Flanagan and John Keane Memorial A3 525 Yards Stake were the twin feature on last Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium. The competition generously sponsored by the Keating and McEnery Families carries a winner’s prize of €1500.
As the traps rose for the opening semi-final, On The Wire owned by Tubber native Gerry O’Donoghue and now residing in Gort in the red jacket was very smartly into his stride and racing towards the opening bend he led by over a length from Norfolkandchance with Salsa Fire in third place two lengths adrift of the leading pair. Racing down towards halfway On The Wire was striding out well and at the halfway point his lead was three lengths over Norfolakandchance but from this point he gradually began to ease away from his rivals and the son of Good Cody and Tromora Palm had seven lengths to spare over Norfolkandchance and Salsa Fire at the line in 29.21.
In the second semi-final, Glengar Sofia was away best from her trap three berth and racing towards the opening bend she led from Pirview Big Rob and Hanover Grace with Long Walk Luke just behind the trio towards the wide outside. Turning down the back, Glengar Sofia opened up a three length advantage on her rivals as Long Walk Luke came out of the back to give chase to the leader as the closed on the penultimate corner. As the leader exited the back straight her lead was three lengths but she then swung wide rounding the home bend and although this forced the challenging Long Walk Luke (Orchestrate & Highview Audi) to switch inside the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner powered up the home straight to win going away at the line by a length and a half and the same from Glengar Sofia and Springwell Eddy in 29.32.
Saturday night at Galway Greyhound Stadium may have featured a quieter six-race card at the College Road venue, but there was certainly no shortage of atmosphere, with a huge crowd filling the newly revamped upstairs restaurant. Exciting months lie ahead for the team at Galway Greyhound Stadium and Saturday night offered a welcome glimpse of the enthusiasm surrounding the venue.
In race one, Aulton Johnno got the card off to a flying start, justifying short odds of 4/7 with a commanding display in the opening A7 525. Drawn in trap two, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Aulton Lucy took control from the first bend and quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals. Never seriously troubled thereafter, he cruised home to land the first race by a commanding nine lengths in 29.67 (-20). This looks a nice prospect for Vincent McKenna’s kennel and Ennis owner Pat Hogan. Nephin Deel produced a tremendous late rattle from Trap 1 to snatch second with young Charlie Boland’s Caislean Mia filling third after encountering trouble at the opening bend.
Play Mate delivered a polished, pillar-to-post performance in race four, making full use of the favoured red jacket to land the S4/S5 350 for Gort owner Philip Mullaney. The daughter of (Grangeview Ten-Crescent Tibet) broke smartly from Trap 1, seized the rails and never looked back. Returned at 5/4, the Gort-based runner made light work of the opposition, powering to a two-length victory and posting a career-best time of 19.19 (-10). The win marked Play Mate’s fourth success from twelve career starts, another encouraging milestone for a greyhound who continues to make her mark.
Colm Fitzgerald’s pair filled the minor places, with Ruthless Ruth chasing gamely from trap six but unable to bridge the gap to the winner. She crossed the line two lengths adrift, while Waterside Mel stayed on for third, a further three lengths back after encountering crowding at the first bend. Play Mate had the race in her pocket from the outset, combining a sharp getaway with the pace to keep her rivals firmly at bay.
There was no confusion about the winner of the A3 525 as Confused Dexter played a winning hand for Cratloe owner Gerry Manley with a sharp display of bend running. The blue and white son of (Ballyhimikin Jet-Lavan Fairy) broke from trap six at odds of 7/2 and had to do things the hard way early on with Pat Conway’s Skirk Bud showing plenty of dash to take the initiative in the opening exchanges. Showing a beautiful turn of foot around the opening bend, Confused Dexter quickly got himself into contention before taking command through the second bend. From there, he put his rivals to the sword, producing a smart 16.60 sectional before crossing the winning line in 29.27 (-20). Skirk Bud the 5/4 favourite, had to settle for second, finishing four lengths behind after a fast start and a clear passage. Caislean Diane stayed on well to claim third, just half a length further back despite encountering trouble at the first bend. It was a thoroughly professional effort from Confused Dexter, who combined early track craft with the pace to turn a challenging opening into a convincing victory.
A large attendance graced Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Thursday for a Students Night at the Dogs event, and there was success for the following Clare owned Greyhounds, Petes Noah and Kilarruss Jet claimed a double for Shannon’s Peter Russell and Tulla’s Donie Duggan. A son of Burgess Bucks and Notimetotalk, Noah claimed 17th career success in 29.27. Fresh from victory last week Kilarrus Jet made it two wins on the bounce with his 28.95 effort, he is a son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Kishlawn Amelia.
