CLARE OWNERS had reason to be cheerful over the festive period following performances of their dogs in Galway.
By Michael Maher
The first three contests last Thursday night were semi-finals of the Barking Buzz App A7 525 Yards stake and in the opening semi-final Kai and Kate’s Princess were both away well and they disputed the lead ahead towards the opening bend. At halfway, the John Maher of Kilmaley-owned Kate’s Princess led Kai by a length. Approaching the home bend Springwell John arrived on the outside with his challenge but Kate’s Princess (Lenson Bocko & Freddie’s Girl) stuck her neck out to defeat Springwell Jon by a neck in 30.18.
The outcome of the second semi-final was never in any doubt from as early as the second bend as the Noel Gavin of Ballyea-owned Ballyea Jet had his rivals strung out like Monday morning washing in his wake. The son of Jaytee Jet and Seekers Vision, trained by Albert Mullins of Gort, defeated Springwell Phil by seven lengths in 29.59.
In heat one of the A2 550 Stake, Colossal Venture got stronger as the race went on and powering down the outside off the home bend the Colossal Syndicate of Ennis and Kilmaley-owned Colossal Venture (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Lullaby) won in 30.63.
In the second semi-final the reserve Drombeg Apollo and Drombeg Rio were best away but racing down the back the Top Benefit Syndicate-owned Fantasy Tuppence (Redzer Ardfert & Fantasy Lane) began to reel the pair in. Turning for home Fantasy Tuppence swept to the front to complete an Albert Mullins of Gort-kennel double by a length and a half from Drombeg Apollo in 30.62.
In the second semi-final of the A3 525 Stake Burnpark Layla was away well on the outside with Cloonturk Honey matching strides on the run towards the opening bend. Burnpark Layla edged clear and led by two lengths as halfway loomed. Approaching the third bend, the Micheal Browne of Cree-owned Burnpark Layla was chased by Cloonturk Honey and Menmal King and kicking again off the home bend the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Burnpark Leanne scored by two and three quarter lengths from Cloonturk Honey in 29.24.
In the first semi-final of the Talking Dogs S5 Stake, Pirate Roberts was away best on the outside with Dereal Cerebus showing pace towards the inner in the early stages. Approaching the opening bend, the leaders were joined by Burnpark Jaytee in the centre and rounding the bend the Mrs Maria Browne of Cree-owned Burnpark Jaytee took command. The son of Jaytee Jet & Seekers Vision scored by two & a half lengths from Freckles Mist in 18.44.
In the opening Novice 325 yards contest on Friday, the Jack Browne of Ballyea-owned Cascade Pipper was away like the wind from trap four and racing towards the opening bend the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Coolavany Spice led by over three lengths from Swinford Mike and Bosra Bono. Tracking well between the two bends the leader was in command turning for home as she stayed on well to defeat Bosra Bono by two lengths in 18.49.
A winner last time in similar grade the Kieran Browne and Brian O’Halloran of Cree-owned Burnpark Lorna made it back to back successes in race two as she led approaching the opening bend on her way to an impressive five and a half-length success in 18.32.
The Noel Hehir of Inagh-owned Tromora Supreme (Ballymac Best & Tromora Champion) ran out a most impressive winner of the Novice 525 yards contest as she never saw another rival on her way to a seven and a half-length success over Split The Gee in 29.59.
The A4 graded contest saw the first three home Hit The Diss, Toolate Shannon and Oaktree Roxy cross the line as one, with Hit The Diss shading a neck verdict over Toolate Shannon in 29.69.
