Ballyea Sydney owned by Noel Gavin has qualified for the final of the Michael Tobin Memorial Sweepstake.
The semi finals of the Michael Tobin Memorial A4 525 Sweepstake was the main attraction at the Limerick greyhound stadium on Saturday night last. In the second semi-final Ballyea Sydney broke his duck for owner Noel Gavin an easy to back 11/2 shot in the market. The Tom Flanagan of Ennistymon trained August 19’ whelp maintained a strong gallop from the opening corner and he stayed on stoutly to account for a four and a half length defeat of Tyrap Shane in second. The time was a swift 28.88 and that win was to prove the first leg of a double for trainer Tom Flanagan as Mythical Hippy also scored in the concluding race of the night, recording a neck victory in 29.06.
There was a huge performance in race nine which was an Open/A1 contest as Coolavanny Palm slayed his rivals to record a sensational 28.29. Only an October 19’ whelp, Coolavanny Palm came into the event with her best form being produced on the trial scene. However, the David Hogan of Quilty owned talent certainly made everyone sit up and take note with a display straight from the top drawer.
Rockalong Rocket owned by Tulla’s Michael McNamara had been off the racing scene since early May but the talented black made a winning return to record the fastest sprint clock of the night. Heading to traps a 5/2 shot, Rockalong Rocket flashed from trap five to show electric early gears into the opening corner. Swooping the bend in full control, Rockalong Rocket proceeded to fly up the home straight to record a three and a half length victory over nearest rival, As Goodas New, in second. The time was a quick 18.83.
Pinnacle Rio owned by Michael Costelloe of North Clare saw all his rivals off by a length and three parts in 30.51 in the opening heat of the A3 550 Stake at the Galway Track on Friday night last. Rounding the home bend Pinnacle Rio was home and hosed scoring by a length and three parts from Croaghill Linda in 30.51.
Following a pretty level break in race two for this S5 graded sprint contest, Orbsen Quest was prominent towards the wide outs with Varra Dizzy and Non Stop prominent towards the inner as they raced towards the opening bend. At the bend space was tight along the rails but somehow the Niall O’Riordan owned Non Stop squeezed through along the rails to take command and railing well around the home turn the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained daughter of Sheneboy Lee and Raficky proved three and three quarter lengths too good for Cold Blow in 19.32.
As the traps rose in race 3 for this A8 graded contest, the Joe Collins of Parteen trained Shanakyle Mattie and Millrose Billy disputed the early lead and racing around the opening bend the former held a half length advantage on the outside of the pair. Racing along the back the pair battled it out up front with the lead exchanging twice before the Shanakyle Syndicate owned dog took command on the crown of the home bend and the son of Ballymac Matt and Kilgraney Mile stayed on well to score by a length in 29.80.
At the College Road Venue on Saturday night, the Jerry Maloney and Patrick O’Driscoll of Doora owned Ballaghboy Panda returned to winning form in heat two of the 525 Stake as the son of Lenson Panda and Sues Music made all the running to comfortably defeat Stouke Hero by two lengths in 29.40.
In the concluding heat, And Jet was best away but he was joined and headed at the opening bend by Lakeside Model on his inside. Turning down the back, Lakeside Model led by over a length as Askingforafriend went second ahead of Ard Jet. Approaching the penultimate corner the Hey You Sir Syndicate of Ennis owned Askingforafriend joined issue on the inside of the leader and after the pair raced stride for stride between the final two bends, the Shane Flannagan of Ennis trained Askingforafriend took over off the home bend and held the late renewed effort of Ard Jet by a length in 29.30.
The outcome of this Novice 350 Yards contest was in little doubt approaching the opening bend as the Thomas Keane of Kilmihil owned Glynscrossbecky had her rivals strung out like Monday morning washing in her wake. As the traps rose Creggane Flyer was first to emerge in the centre of the track but on settling down the winner powered down the inside to settle the outcome inn a matter of strides. Railing superbly between the two bends the daughter of Droopys Jet & Glynnscroostyler raced right away to defeat Knoppogue Rose by seven lengths in 19.36.
Racing towards the opening bend in the A4 graded affair Domain Joe and Bumblebee Love disputed the lead towards the wide outside with Domain Joe leading by length as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Domain Joe led two lengths to Bumblebee Love as Allegra Blue began to moved through the field having been in trouble early. Rounding the third bend Bumblebee Love closed on the leaders inside but all the while the Marion Moroney of Ennis owned Allegra Blue closed on the pair and sweeping through along the inner off the home bend she struck the front close to defeat Bumblebee Love by two lengths in 29.37.
