FLYERS PENNY owned by Kilrush’s Colm Fitzgerald got the Christmas party started winning the opening stake in Galway last Thursday.
By Michael Maher
Thursday night’s Galway card featured both the semi-finals of the Coisir Na Nollaig A7 525 yards stake and four first round heats of the Christmas Party Nights Novice 350 yards stake.
In the opening heat of The Christmas Party Novice 350 Stake Krushing It began well towards the inner but on settling down it was the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained Flyers Penny that really stretch her legs to assume command approaching the opening bend. Tracking well between the bends the Flyers Racing Syndicate owned daughter of Signet Ace and Pennylane Sheba was in complete control rounding the home bend as she stretched clear to score impressively by five lengths from Drombeg Dolly in 19.52.
In heat three, the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained Ballyea Warrior never saw another rival in heat number three as he made all from his trap six birth to defeat Drombeg King by two lengths in 19.53. Trapping well the son of Ballymac Kingdom and Wolfofwallstreet gradually edged towards the rails from his outside berth and this would prove vital at the opening bend as he shut the door on chief rival Drombeg King. Extended his advantage to two lengths on the crown of the home bend the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Warrior stayed on well in the home straight for a comfortable success.
First round heats of the W.G.O.B.A. sponsored Paddy O’Gorman A3 525 who honours the tracks long serving starter and steward formed the spine of Friday night’s card at the Collage Road venue.
In the second heat On The Latt began well on the wide outside and racing towards the opening bend the Gerry O’Donoghue of Gort owned runner led from Slanestownbailly with Heathlawn Ruby also close up as they reached the opening bend. Turning down the back On The Latt led by an over a length from Heathawn Ruby as Burnpark Class also began to get involved. Maintaining a wide berth throughout On The Latt (Broadstrand Bono-Brickhill Sharon) was taking the field along at a decent tempo and although Heathlawn Ruby look a threat turning for home On The Latt stayed in well to score by two lengths in 29.21. s
The Going Well Syndicate are really enjoying their racing these days and their Nosobadnow added to their tally in the A4 graded contest winning for the fourth time from just six career starts for Liscannor Trainer Declan McDonagh. Away in second place as Hit The Diss trapped best the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Raha Gogo tracked well into the opening bend and racing towards the halfway mark his lead was one of three lengths. Powering into the third bend Notsobadnow’s supporters began to roar their dog home and he stayed on powerfully to defeat Hit The Diss by two and a half lengths in 29.30.
The concluding contest was an A2 graded 525 and racing towards the opening bend Stick With Me and Derrymoyle Bono disputed the lead with Laois Lightening close in behind as they took the opening turn. Entering the back straight the Gordon Vaughan owned Laois Lightening (Ballymac Anton & Old Treasure) surged to the head of affairs and racing past halfway he had opened up a couple of lengths lead. Exiting the back straight Stick With Me tried to respond but the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained winner was not going to be denied as he stayed on powerfully to score by two & a half lengths in a best of the night 28.97.
At Shelbourne Park, Malabar Misty was exceptional for the Malabar Syndicate which is spearheaded by Clarecastle’s Terry Moloney with a 28.36 victory this was career win number three for this daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Sanjose, and is trained by Pat Buckley from Doon.
Killimer Kilrush Coursing Club once again hosted a fantastic meeting where excellent hare husbandry was evident as usual for a Clare club, it proved to be a great meeting for some of the club members, as Trigger Trixie displayed great pace and determination for local owners Seamie and Paudie Browne to win the Alevaroo All age stake, she is a daughter of Watchman and Highland Kathy, and her brother Five O Five, one of the cream of the crop of this season duly obliged in the Gilligan & McMahon memorial Cup for Dan o Connor & Patrick fotxgerald from Scartaglen and Glin repectively.
The Eustace family were celebrating after windfarm strand proved she will be a leading fancy for this years Oaks at the national meeting with a flawless display to win the Oaks trial Stake, former Kilrush full back Michael Eustace and his daughter Claire own this daughter of Foxhollow Adios and Central success and she is trained by liscannors Declan McDonagh.
The reserve derby trial stake went up the road to miltown malbays sean meade after paradise Monaco showed grit and determination the claim the honours he is a son of Upper Hand and Parasise Swift. The national workers qualifier and JJ O’Dea memorial cup was won by Scattery Yank for the Scattery Syndicate, which comprises of Anthony, Denis Cloheesy and their niece Brodget McNamara from Mooneen Killimer, this son of Boylesports magic and Scattery Holly displayed nice pace throughout.
