There were three heats of the GoGreyhoundRacing.ie A2 Tri-Distance Stake down for decision on Saturday night’s Galway card with the opening heats over the 525 yards trip.
In the opening heat, Balroebuck Dream came away best to lead on the run towards the bend ahead of Annadown Loki and Newport Pier who then switched inside to strike the front on the rails rounding the opening bend. Turning down the back the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Newport Pier quickly opened up a three length advantage over Balroebuck Dream and again tracking superbly around the third bend the daughter of Droopys Sydney & Cantcallherthat powered up the straight to defeat Balroebuck Dream by four and a half lengths in 28.76.
The double was initiated in the second heat of the stake as the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Scrutiny led at the opening bend on his way to a two and a half length victory over Hunters Val in 29.10. Headed from traps by Barnora Bella on his inner the son of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye moved up outside the leader as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Ballyea Scrutiny kicked three lengths clear of his rivals as Hunters Val and Colossal Venture tried to bridge the gap but out front Ballyea Scrutiny was in control as he stayed on well to complete the Albert Mullins kennel double.
Racing opened with an A6 graded 525 yards contest and in the early strides Ballyfort Max led the charge in the centre of the track towards the opening bend and rounding the bend the Thomas O’Connor of Ennistymon owned Hastalavistababy slipped through along the rails to head Ballyfort Max as Cillowen Recruit followed him through to move second approaching halfway . Out front though Hastalavistababy was making the best of his way home as he stayed on well to land the pore by three and three quarter lengths in 30.38.
Turree Treaty was away best in the S5 graded contest with Bayview Fantasy also away well enough along the rails. Approaching the opening bend the Joe Clancy of Kilrush owned Bayview Fantasy moved through along the rails to take a fractional advantage on his rivals. Racing between the two bends little separated the front four of the field but off the home been the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Bayview Fantasy (Premier Fantasy-Bayview Flyer) kicked on to defeat Turree Treaty by three & a half lengths in 19.51.
In race five, the Michael and Alanna Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Ronaldo registered his eighth career success from eighteen starts as he held the late challenge of Six O’Clock News by three parts of a length at the line in 19.16. Away well from his trap six berth in company with Caislean Honcho towards the inner Burnpark Ronaldo led on the wide outside approaching the opening bend and cutting towards the rail the son of Watchman and Burnpark Grainne kicked three lengths clear bit on the run home Six O’Clock News closed with every stride but the line was always coming in time for the winner.
On last Thursday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium there was four Clare owned winners. First in the winner’s enclosure was Billys Red for Cratloe’s Gerry Manly, a son of Droopys Roddick and Toras Lacey he crossed the line in 29.37 to record career win number four.
Snuggie Jasper recorded his fifth career win for Newmarket on Fergus’s Myles Cummins, a son of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl, his winning time was 29.21.
There was a fine performance from Droney Said No in an A3 contest, a daughter of Droopys Sydney and Estimate, she recorded career win number three in 29.31, Droney is owned by the Kildysart/Cranny based dontellpettycoatgovernment syndicate and is trained by Tulla’s Donie Duggan.
In the novice 525 contest of the evening, Oakwood Hero came up trumps for Ciaran Cooney from O’Callaghan Mills, a son of Laughil Blake and Lemon Phyton, his winning time was 29.64.
Conor Flanagan:
It was with deep sadness that the sudden passing of Conor Flanagan of Clouna, Ennistymon, was received last week.
Conor was involved in greyhounds all his life and was a regular racegoer at Galway and Limerick. Abely assisted in the training of dogs by his father Tom Flanagan and was responsible for the Flandys and Dromoher prefix’s which carried many successes for the duo.
The pinnacle of Conor’s racing career came with the track record breaking run of his beloved bitch Flandy, trained by his father Tom. She clocked 58.85 for the 1010 yard marathon trip around Galway in 2008. The record still stands to this day. He was a great character who will be sorely missed by those that knew him. Sincerest condolences to his partner Christina, his beloved children Ryan and Megan, his parents Thomas and Stella, his sister Ann Marie, brother Brian, extended family, and many friends. The death also took place recently of Betty Griffin, Caherea ,Lissycasey. Betty was wife of Martin Griffin a huge supporter of Greyhound racing, we extend our sincere sympathy to Martin, his family ,extended family and there many friends.
