QUARTER-finals of the €3000 to the winner Martin Fahy Memorial A4 525 Yards Stake formed the spine of Saturday night’s ten race programme at Galway Greyhound Stadium.
By Michael Maher
In the opening quarter-final, all six runners were away on terms with Springwell Sugar and Run For Mary disputing the lead at the head of affairs as they approached the opening bend. Rounding the opening bend the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge owned and trained Run For Mary took over at the head of affairs and turning to run down the back straight the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Risky Reward set sail for home chased by Springwell Thomo and Balroebuck Smokie.
Rounding the third bend Run For Mary was still two lengths to the good and although Springwell Thomo tried hard in the straight he was still a length and a half adrift at the line in 29.42 with Portunma Buck staying on late for third place.
How heat three was going to pan out was in little doubt from early in the back straight as the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynnscross Ted never saw another rival as he routed them by upwards of five and a half lengths in 29.18. Away smartly on the wide outside the winner showed good early pace to head Peteles Phantom as the opening bend loomed.
Maintaining a wide route between the opening two bends the son of Droopys Sydney and Glynnscrosstyler set sail for the judge early in the back straight. Six length clear of Peteles Phantom exiting the back straight he was home and hosed as Fast Fit Lucky stayed on well for the third place. The concluding heat went to the Kay Lynch of Quin owned Cragartaska Black who took command rounding the opening bend in her way to a three length success over Crokers Captain and Petes Noah in 29.31. Both the winner and Gainstown Captain were away smartly and racing towards the opening bend they disputed the lead but rounding the bend the red jacketed Cragataska Black (Skywalker Logan & Drombeg Dancer) took definite advantage as Crokers Captain met some trouble. Racing down the back Cragataska Black had opened up a three length advantage on her rivals who were all now covered by less than two lengths but out front Cragataska Black was making the best of her way home and she stayed on really well for a comfortable victory.
The opening contest of the night was an A7 graded 525 and racing towards the opening bend Fantasy Malahide and Cragatraska Blue showed pace out wide as Fast Fit Fergie went up well along the inner approaching the turn. Rounding the bend Badgerfort Ned came through along the inner to lead into the back straight with Fast Fit Fergie close up on the outer. Approaching the penultimate corner the leaders began to tighten up and as they did so the Michael Costello of North Clare owned Pinnacle Jess came through to lead and kicking on off the home bend the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Pinnacle Abbie just lasted home by half a length from Cragataska Blue in 30.17.
350 Yard racing made a welcome return to the racing schedule with this S7 graded contest in which Inner City trapped really smartly in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend she led Mirabel and On The Latt by cover two lengths. Rounding the opening bend, the Gerry O’Donoghue of Tubber and Gort owned On The Latt made rapid progress to close to within half a length of the leader beginning the swing for home. On the long run home On The Latt (Broadstrand Bono & Brickhill Sharon) gradually gained the upper hand to prevail by a length and a half in 19.72. A smart winner over the 325 yards trip on debut Clare natives Albert Long and John Collins owned Brickhill Como made it two from two in this A4 graded 525 yards contest as he proved three lengths too good for Slipalong Dew in 29.36. The winner was headed briefly by Slipalong Dew from traps but approaching the opening bend the son of Good News and Twentylittletoes just showed the better toe to lead by a length rounding the opening bend. Turning down the back Brickhill Como opened up a three length advantage on Rathmeehan Jim with Slipalong Dew in third place but from the third bend the only question was how far as Brickhill Como galloped strongly all the way to the line.
As the traps rose for the A4 graded contest the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained Gob Smacked trapped really well and racing towards the opening bend the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Blacklabel Magic led from Banter Buzz and Rattle The Pan. Rounding the opening two bends the Mary Flynn and Irene O’Sullivan owned lady extended her advantage to over three lengths and by the halfway mark that lead was in excess of five lengths as Springwell Eddy went into second spot but out front the winner was gone beyond recall and although tiring slightly still had a length and a half to spare at the line in 29.40.
