The catch me if you can tactics were to the fore in the Novice 350 yards contest at Galway on Friday night last as the Brid McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Blake never saw another rival once he left his trap one berth as he powered to a seven length success over Chicuitita in 19.29.
The son of Laughill Blake & Lissatouk Dolly was very smartly into stride and halfway towards the opening bend his rivals were already battling for minor honours. Despite moving to the centre of the track approaching the home bend Lissatouk Blake was home and hosed on straightening for home.
The first sprint contest on the card went in facile fashion to the Cree native David Browne owned Garryfine Sam who made it two wins from three starts by three and three quarter lengths over Liscarra Dream in 19.43 David is a member of the well know Browne Family who now resides in Garryfine, Co Limerick. The winner was away smartly and led from Monday Blues and Dynamic Logan racing towards the opening bend. Maintaining a centre track route around the opening bend the son of Pat C Sabbath and Burnpark Leanne extended his advantage rounding the home bend as Liscarra Dream kept on well for the runner up slot.
In race three, the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Pay It Forward who came in as a reserve in trap five became the third all the way winner on the night as the son of Sonic & Mrs Will proved three and three quarter lengths too strong for his rivals in this S7 graded sprint contest in 19.23. Very smartly into his stride PaynIt Forward led Derrymoyle Gem by three lengths approaching the opening bend where the latter closed to within two lengths. On straightening for home though the winner extended again to draw clear of Derrymoyle Gem.
In the early strides of the A7 graded contest Ranchers Bernie and Erris Holly disputed the lead with Burnpark Crash tucked in behind in third place rounding the opening bend. Racing down the back Erris Lady led by over a length to Burnpark Crash who began to take closer order passing halfway. Approaching the penultimate bend the Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Crash edged to the front along the inner and from the third bend home the son of Crash & Ballyea Beauty extended his advantage to three & three quarter lengths at the line over Eileen’s Daisy in 29.34.
Having met trouble in two of his three career outings thus far the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Rafa made it fourth time lucky in the A5 graded contest as he proved two and three quarter lengths too good for Ferryforth Jess in 29.26. Clooney Dasher was best away on the wide outside and led towards the opening bend where the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained winner railed well to emerge two lengths to the good entering the back straight. Racing along the back straight Aulton Rafa led by over four lengths as Ferryforth Jess went in pursuit but Aulton Rafa(Skywalker Rafa-Rylane Dubh) was gone beyond recall from halfway .
Saturday nights Galway card featured three second round heats of the Liam Brussells Memorial A4 525 Stake generously sponsored by the Brussels Family. In the second heat Makita and Malbay Theo were both away well and they matched strides ahead of Killara Ivy approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend the red jacketed Makita railed well and turning down the back the Thomas and Oisin O’Connor owned Makita led by two lengths. Racing along the back the daughter Rising Brandy and Drahbeg Princess extended her advantage to over three lengths as Malbay Theo and Killara Ivy gave chase but Makita eased home four lengths clear of Killara Ivy at the line in 29.29.
