*FILE PIC: Buttys Bengal with syndicate owners Ryan Hodge, Eoin Collins & David Ryan with handler Ciaran Connolly.
Buttsys Bengal was at his very best and sharpest in the third race for the Buttsys Buckos Syndicate of Shannon at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night last.
Trained in Athenry by Gerry Holian the son of Pinpoint Maxi and Killeacle Tammy had a stunning early dash and he made full use of it, charging clear into the bend. Epic News turned second but had no answer to Buttsys Bengal. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the finish, Buttsys Bengal emerged a brilliant seven length winner over Epic News in 28.23. It was a really wonderful display and it is clear Buttsys Bengal could be a big player in whatever competitions he is pointed towards in the coming months.
Both Gerry Holian and the Buttsys Buckos Syndicate later completed a superb double with Buttsys Best making full use of the longer run to the turn in the tenth race. Despite a tardy start, the son of Ballymac Best and Killeacle Tammy flew into the turn to challenge for the lead. He took a bump from Glendalough but it failed to halt his progress. Moving to the front as they entered the back straight, the March ’19 whelp eased right away to put the result beyond doubt. Glendalough continued to give chase throughout but Buttsys Best was too good as he came home three lengths clear in 29.80.
There was just one nights racing at Galway Greyhound Stadium this week with the feature event on Saturday nights card the A2 graded tenth contest which produced a tremendous performance from the unbeaten Brickhill Yanky trained by Kevin Marmion. The unbeaten son of Droopys Sydney and Rathmeehan May owned by John Collins of Kilmihil and Albert Long of Ballyea really flew the traps and showing superb early pace for his trap five berth grabbed the rails position early as he led his rivals by three lengths at the bend.
Tracking superbly Brickhill Yanky set sail for home entering the back straight and passing halfway his rivals were chasing a lost cause. From the third bend, Eileen’s Best did narrow the gap slightly but Brickhill Yanky maintained the tempo all the way to the line to score by four and a half lengths in a sizzling 28.73.
The opening A6 graded 525 Yards contest went to the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Messi who got the better of a protracted duel with Breaghmore Jim to score by a length and a quarter in 29.77. Headed from traps by Merciful Grace the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained took over at the opening bend where Breaghmore Jim saved ground to go second racing down the back. From halfway the pair had the contest between them but from the crown of the home bend Aulton Messi was always proving the stronger as she scored for the third time in five starts.
Ennis owner Hogan went on to complete a quick brace in the A5 graded third contest as Aulton Zero trained by Seamus Fahy ran out a comfortable three and a half length winner from Zabriskie in 29.29. The son of Zero Ten and Heathlawn Gold had a dream run along the inner approaching the opening bend where he was closely attended to by Ardera Fifi on his outside. Racing along the back though Aulton Zero gradually extended his advantage and turning for home he was home for all money as Zabriskie stayed on well for second place.
The chief supporting contest on the card was the concluding A3 graded contest which saw the Michael Costelloe of North Clare owned Pinnacle Rio return to winning ways as he made all the running to defeat the staying on Standing Proud by a length and a half in 29.30. Smartly into his stride in the centre of the track the son of Rio Quatro and Fawn Samantha led Confused Fitzy on the run towards the opening bend but extending his advantage entering the back straight the winner led by three lengths at halfway. Approaching the third bend Standing Around and Jumeirah Carmen started to get slightly closer and although the former stayed on well Pinnacle Rio was not for catching.
