Clare greyhound owners were smiling in Galway over the weekend.
In the opening semi-final of the Unraced Stake at the Galway Track on Saturday night last, Glasheen Davy broke smartly from his trap two berth. However he soon drifted outwards on the run towards the opening bend as both Kiluran Seanie and Hilstreet Jack switched inside approaching the turn where Hillstreet Jack drifted wide allowing Killuran Seanie to take over in front on the crown of the turn.
On straightening for home the Leo McNulty of Newmarket on Fergus and Donal Cooney of Broadford owned Killuran Seanie began to assert his authority and the Cooney trained runner had a length and three parts to spare over Hillstreet Jack at the line in 19.53.
The outcome of the second semi-final was settled in a matter of strides on the crown of the home bend as the Colette Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Winwan made an impressive debut proving five lengths too good for James Rian in 19.82.
In the top graded A3 contest Astro Abby, Burren Ripple and Drombeg Dancer were all away smartly and the trio disputed the lead on the run towards the opening bend. At the bend the red jacketed Astro Abby railed well and turning down the back she led from Burren Ripple as the wide running Portumna Hero ran right round his rivals to move into contention.
Nearing the penultimate bend though Astro Abby began to stretch her rivals headed by Portumna Hero and railing well around the home turn the Pepper-Williams-Murray Syndicate of Feakle owned lady who is trained by Sixmilebrige’s Stephen Murray came home two and a half lengths clear of the flying Its My Party in 29.15.
There was little doubt regarding the outcome of race eight which was an S2 graded contest from an early stage as the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Patsy recorded his fourth career success from eight starts by four and a quarter lengths in 19.24. Very smartly into his stride the Seamus Fahy trained dog showed plenty of pace as he owned up a three length advantage over Turree Taylor and Bumblebee Lana racing towards the opening bend. With trouble behind Aulton Patsy extended his advantage as Caislean Blitz moved into second place turning for home but the winner was gone beyond recall out front.
In race 10, Confused Reilly owned by Cratloe’s Gerry Manly returned to winning ways in this A4 graded contest as he proved a length too good for the staying in Colly Wobbles in 29.63.
Top honours on the night went to John Quinn, the popular Gort owner and his Offaly residing granddaughters Ella and Kate Cantwell as they both led out Fast Fit Limit and Fast Fit Buddy who completed the Kennel double.
