William Rigney presents John Quinn after Fast Fit Paddy won the SPK Open 600 Final,also included is Declan Mc Donagh Trainer and supporters.Â
The Final of the Shelbourne Open 600 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night last was the main focus of attention for greyhound people over last weekend.
By Michael Maher
Followers of the game were treated to another brilliant performance by the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained Fast Fit Paddy as he posted one of the great runs in the €15,000 to the winner classic. A model of consistency through his first full season in 2021, it was always evident that the John Quinn of Gort owned was fast enough to challenge at the highest level but he returned in 2022 a different dog.
That was certainly on show at Shelbourne Park on Saturday as he saw off a top-class field with ruthless efficiency and real brilliance. Despite the emphasis on stamina, the run to the corner was always going to be of real importance.
Fast Fit Paddy broke smartly from trap two but Hello Hammond was virtually upsides into the corner. As they hit the line on the run to the bend, only inches separated the pair with Fast Fit Paddy just in front. Although he was headed on the turn by the advancing Kilkenny Santy. Fast Fit Paddy, who had the inside line, slipped around in front. it was already clear that Fast Fit Paddy was going to take some stopping.
And by halfway had increased his advantage to almost four lengths and he continued to pile on the pressure a one-dog affair. Fast Fit Paddy was striding out like a greyhound at the very peak of his powers on his way to the biggest success of his career to date.
Crossing the line in 31.96, he became just the third greyhound in history to dip under 32 seconds for the testing 600 yard trip.
It was Thursday and Saturday racing last weekend at Galway Greyhound Stadium due to the Connacht versus Leinster Champions Cup game on Friday night with the concluding A2 graded 525 yards contest the feature of the night.
In the A3 graded eighth contest Financial Giant was away smartly as usual and set a fair tempo to beyond the halfway point where the pack began to close on the early paced leader. Approaching the third bend Financial Giant still held the call but Poles Apart now began to move up on the leaders outside to join issue. Off the home bend Poles Apart struck the front and the John Maloney of Clarecastle owned daughter of Coolavanny Jap and Ciss Baby kicked clear to score by a length and a half in 29.29.
In the A3 seventh contest Mollrose King and Astro Podge were both away well with Derryoyle Pat prominent out wide racing towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend, Astro Podge took a definite advantage along the rails and tracking well around the opening two bends the Madden-Pepper Syndicate of Feakle owned runner set sail for home down the back straight. Striding out well the son of Ballymac Best and Dynamic Cool Sky led by three lengths leaving the back straight and that advantage became four lengths at the lime for the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained runner in 29.41 .
In the early strides of race 2 in this N2 Sprint contest Cillowen Radar showed the way to Oaktree Rover along the inner and approaching the opening bend the pair were three lengths clear of their rivals. Rounding the bend Cillowen Radar ran quote wide allowing Oaktree Radar to strike the front rounding the home turn but on the run the George Gallery of Rockmount, Ennis owned Cillowen Radar came again to lead close home and prevail by a neck in 19.20.
In the second Semi Final of the Ann Cheevers Memorial Stake on Saturday nights card Lissatouk Peggy was away quite smartly in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned lady led Orbsen Jet and Lexis Cleo by two lengths . Tracking well the leader led her rivals by over three lengths entering the back straight and at halfway she had them on the stretch. Approaching the home bend the pack began to close but on the run in Lissatouk Peggy dug deep to see off the challenge of Mr Quiz Answer and Lexis Clea by a length in 29.24.
At the Limerick track on Saturday night April 9th spectators were treated to some scintillating performances in round two of the Con and Ann Kirby Memorial Stake. Heat winners included Ballymore Border (28.35) who is owned by Una O’Sullivan form Kildare who has strong Labasheeda connections and Lenson on Ice (28.66) who is jointly owned by Doolin native Austin Whelan.
The second race on the card went to Ganja Gun for Paddy Conlon from Cooraclare and John Meehan from Newmarket-on-Fergus, a son of SH Avatar and Killinan Reina, he ran on strongly to record a fourth career success in 28.88.
