*Tiermana Hunter and Colm Fitzgerald are surrounded by West Clare supporters after winning the Anne Chevers Memorial Stake at Galway.
TIERMANA HUNTER trained by Kilrush’s Colm Fitzgerald took the spoils in the €2000 Ann Cheevers Memorial Stake.
The €2000 to the winner Ann Cheevers Memorial A3 525 Yards Stake was the centrepiece of Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium with the shoulder races all sponsored by the Western Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association.
As the traps rose for the feature event Claudegreengrass was just about best away along the near but racing towards the opening bend the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained Tiermana Hunter in the blue jacket that powered to the head of affairs and took command of proceedings rounding the opening bend. Tracking superbly the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty set sail for home on entering the back straight and at the halfway mark he led Hollywell Sky by five lengths with Petes Noah back in third place.
Exiting the back straight it was simply a matter of how far as the Supping Away Syndicate owned Tiermana Hunter powered clear to add the Ann Cheevers Memorial Stake to the Sean Scully Memorial he had won earlier this year by six lengths from Hollywell Sky in 28.99 to massive cheers from supporters in the packed grand stand.
The night got even better for the young Kilrush trainer in the ‘Getting Out’ A1 525 as the Zero-Zero Syndicate owned Flyers Minnie (Ballyhimikin Jet-Liosgarbh Lila) left her rivals toiling with a burst of middle pace down the back as she defeated Brickhill Moana by four and a half lengths in 28.84. Droopys Glamour and Brickhill Moana were both away well on either side of the track with Brickhill Moana showing the better foot to lead along the inner approaching the opening bend. At the bend though Flyers Minnie had now got herself into the cat bird seat on the leaders outside. Turning down the back Flyers Minnie took dead Ian at the leader and surging to the front approaching halfway quickly settled the outcome. Striding clear down the back Flyers Minnie powered clear of her rivals to score in impressive fashion and complete a memorable night for himself and his two syndicates of owners.
Race two was a 350 Yards contest for S7 graded runners and from traps Astro Neil was first to emerge but it was the Donal Cooney and Gerry Maloney of Broadford owned Killdoo Lass that showed the best pace on the run towards the opening bend rounding which she led Calling Bridie by a length as Lissatouk Bailey looked for a gap along the rails. Rounding the home bend Killdoo Lass swung quite wide but she lost nothing in momentum as the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Notimetotalk stayed on well to defeat Calling Bridie by two lengths in 19.71.
In the A7 graded affair Bumblebee Lottie came away best and led towards the opening bed with Masabout Cushi, Lissatouk Storm and Astro Kevin all close up as they swung round the opening bend. Turning down the back Madabout Cushie took over along the inner but as they passed halfway the Seamus McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Dolly swept through to take control of the contest. Extending his advantage exiting the back straight the son of Ballyma Cashout and Lissatouk Dolly drew right away to defeat Madabout Cushie by five lengths in 29.84.
Balroebuck Ash was away smartly on the wide outside in the A5 graded affair but on the run towards the opening bend the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained Charning Ciara displayed good pace to lead into the turn and although she drifted a little wide on the turn the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Marley Star led Balroebuck Ash and Bayview Power by three lengths approaching halfway. Tracking better between the final two bends the Tom and Ciara Kelly owned Charming Ciara was home for all money entering the home straight as she recorded her third career success by three lengths over Balroebuck Ash in 29.67.
