WINNERS from Kilmaley, Quilty, Kilmihil and Gort lifted the spirits of Clare greyhound followers in Galway over the past week.
By Michael Maher
The A1 graded third contest over 550 yards was the feature contest on Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium.
In race one, the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Felix took his career winning tally to nine wins in thirty three starts as he took the opener by three parts of a length from the staying on Piper Rock in 29.52. The winner and Blueway Best on the wide outside were both prominent on the run towards the opening bend before the latter took a narrow advantage entering the back straight. Racing between the final two bends Fast Fit Felix (Doratos Wildcat & Fast Fit Maeve) was back in front and swing off the home bend set Sail for home and although Piper Rock close near the Laine the result was never in doubt.
Rathkerry Anne owned by Kilmaley’s Rachel Hehir recorded her second career success in the A6 graded contest as having led early the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Baby Sugar took over a second time off the home been as she defeated Nationwide Fury by five lengths in 30.06. Away well the winner disputed the lead with Bumblebee Lottie and Shanakyle Blue racing towards the opening bend but between the final two bends Rathkerry Anne began two close again on the inner. Rounding the home turn Rathkerry Anne swept through to lead and quickly asserting drew clear for a deserved success. The winner is handled by Rachel’s uncle Johnny Maher.
In the concluding A3 graded contest Joeys Champ was away well in company with Hillstreet Puma and Bayview Fred and rounding the opening bend Joeys Champ shaded the issue just ahead of Hillstreet Puma and turning down the back they led Bayview Fred by three lengths. Exiting the back straight Joeys Champ still held the call but all the while the Eoin Clancy of Kilrush owned Bayview Fred was now closing with every stride. Rounding the home bend Bayview Fred swung wide to deliver his challenge which took him to the front right on the line as the son of Premier Fantasy & Bayview Flyer prevailed by a length in 29.49.
Friday night’s Galway card was headlined by the concluding A2 graded 525 yards contest with the semi-finals of the GoGreyhoundracing.ie A4 Dual Distance Stake also down for decision over 550 Yards.
As the traps rose for the A2 graded finale Drombeg Apollo and Glynnscross Liz were best away and racing towards the opening bend Glynnscross Liz held a narrow advantage as Drombeg Apollo and Joeys Girl had a slight coming together. Racing down the back the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynnscross Liz was making the best of her way home as Claudegreengrass tried to close in second place approaching the end of the back straight. From the crown of the home bend though Glynnscross Liz (Droopys Sydney & Glynnscrosstyler) began to draw clear again as she galloped to a length and a half success in 28.90.
The two semi-finals of the Jag Construction Novice 525 were down for decision on the Limerick Saturdays Nights Card. In the second semi, Tromora Swing made every inch of the running to secure victory for David Hogan of Quilty. Running from trap six, the 2/1 chance showed the superior early speed and he opened a sizable advantage heading into the back straight. A son of Ballmac Best and Tromora Champion, his stride shortened on the run for home as Velvet Fern finished strongly in behind, however, he kept just enough in reserve to see off the jolly. Just one length separating the duo, the time was 29.25.
Race four saw the Bar One Racing Laurels Trial Stake go down for decision and it was Newport Pier who secured the golden ticket, albeit by the shortest of margins. Running for the Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate of Gort, Newport Pier had some fine form around Galway but had been plying her trade over the marathon trips in recent months, reaching the final of the Corn Cuchullain in the process. Stepping back to the standard trip, she finished with a wet sail to snatch victory in the shadow of the post. In a time of 28.87.
