Clare greyhounds continued their good run of form with more success recorded in weekend runs in Limerick and Galway.
The first round heats of the Michael Tobin Memorial Tri Distance was the feature event of the week-end at the Limerick Track and there were some very smart performances during the course of the five heats.
The most eye-catching performance came in the very first heat as the Pat Buckley trained, Doolin Princess followed up on her impressive display at HQ last time out with a convincing victory from trap two. Going to traps the 11/10 favourite, the daughter of ‘Barcia Bale Droopys Smasher’ took a ping break from blue and showed a terrific turn of pace to the opening corner to soon take this contest by the scruff of the neck. Never under any threat thereafter, the Austin Whelan of Lisdoonvarna owned bitch was striding out majestically in front and she came home a very comfortable six length winner.
Veteran owner trainer Tom Gallagher of Cooraclare was back in the news also when he recorded a nice double at the same venue, first up was Girl Be Slick in the A3 525 race in control on the run to the bend she was headed by Inislosky Joshua but recovered to record one and half-length win in a time of 29.41. Litter brother Joe Be Slick made it a night to remember for West Clare handler when in the ninth race after contesting the lead from traps and having to check at the third bend he rallied for a one length success in a time of 29.26.
Saturday night’s A1 graded ninth contest over 525 yards was the feature contest of the weekend at Galway Greyhound Stadium. From traps all six runners were away pretty much in terms with Drombeg Blake on the wide outside and Cloneyogan Flash in the centre of the track just shading the issue as the field rounded the opening bend.
Turning down the back Cloneyogan Flash led by a length from Rathmeehan May who made ground along the rails to track the leader to halfway. Out front though the Siobhan Garrihy of Moy owned Cloneygan Flash had set sail for home as Confused Keggy was hampered at the opening bend made ground to join Rathmeehan May. Off the home bend though Cloneyogan Flash (Kinloch Brae-Tiermana Rum) was home for all money to score by three lengths from Rathmeehan May in 29.16.
The opening A8 graded contest went in superb style to the David Hogan of Quilty owned Tromora Dasher (Good News-Tromra Sonic) who romped home nine and three quarter lengths clear of Annagore Jet in 29.14.
Hogan completed a double on the night when his Tromora Danny (Ballymac Best-Tromora Best) scared in the N3 Sprint by four and quarter from Brickhill Lulu in 19.35. Only fourth best from traps the winner came through approaching the opening bend to head Grangeview Lucky and Sues Blue as Brickhill Lulu made ground on the rails. Turning for home the winner kicked clear extending his lead all the way to the line.
Dough Dancer owned by Kilfenora’s Conor Davoren-Sheehan registered his third career victory in the A5 graded eighth contest as the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Tiermana Brandy swept through late to collar Spin The Coin by two and a half lengths in 29.83. Spin The Coin had led from the second bend and looked set to score approaching the home bend but Dough Dancer slipped through on the rails to strike the front close home.
On Friday night, Mr Logan owned by Martin and Eve Crowe of Roslevan was well fancied to make a winning debut for the Donie Duggan kennel in the Novice 350 and he duly did by five lengths from Cree Wonder in 19.47. The crucial point in the contest coming at the opening bend where the winner managed to slip through along the rails to head Croaghill Blake and railing well around the home bend Mr Logan drew clear for a comfortable success.
Rockmount Haeley owned by Ennis’ Shane Flanagan had an authoritative six length success in the Novice 525 contest. The winner broke smartly and led from Grangeview Buck on the run towards the opening bend and railing well he extended that advantage to six lengths at halfway . Leaving the back straight the winner was home for all money as Turn The Page stayed in well to take second place close home.
There was an exiting finish to the A5 graded eighth contest as the Sean O’Riordan and Rachel Murray of Sixmilebridge owned Second Half just held the renewed effort of Notimewasted by a diminishing neck at the line in 29.54.
