Saturday night’s Galway card featured the semi-finals of the Bumblebee Kyne Novice 525 yards stake generously sponsored by Paddy and Paul Burke of the Bumblebee Kennels.
The second semi-final was quite a messy affair as on the run towards the opening bend there was plenty of scrimmaging with the favourite Maree Chaser the main sufferer as they rounded the opening bend. Turning down the back Glasheen Velvet kicked on from Aulton Super with Maree Chaser in further trouble forcing home back to the rear of the field.
Out front though, the Brendan Browne of Kilkee owned Glasheen Velvet was gone for home as Aulton Super gave chase but Glasheen Velvet (Velvet John Joe-Glasheen Queen) was clear off the home bend to defeat Aulton Super by four and a half lengths in 30.15 with Maree Chaser somehow powering home to claim third place right on the line.
In the early strides of race two in this novice 350 yards contest, Aulton Jewel and Knoppogue Black disputed the lead split by the width of the track but as they approached the opening bend the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Drop made ground to join the pair in the centre. Rounding the bend, Fast Fit Drop made his move and the son of Doratos Wildcat led by two lengths at the top of the bend. Off the home bend he began to draw clear as he scored by two and three quarter lengths from Aulton Jewel in 19.47.
The Martin Griffin of Lissycasey owned No Risk made it three wins from her seven career starts in this S6 graded contest on Friday night’s card as she made all the running to defeat Coolree Joy by two and three quarter lengths in 19.52. Away very smartly the daughter of Laughill Blake and Nebraska Scot led by three lengths approaching the opening bend from Highway One and Commanche Springs. With some crowding behind the winner extended her advantage as she stormed clear for a convincing victory.
Knockdine Blake was narrowly beaten on his last outing at Limerick but he went on better for joint owners, Patrick Conlon of Cree and Helen O’Brien of Miltown Malbay at the same venue on Saturday night last as he made all of the running. Out in front wearing the black jacket, the 3/1 shot maintained a strong gallop throughout to come home a length and a half clear of Clonbrien Thelma in second. The time for the son of Laughil Blake and Mikeys Lass was a good 28.97.
In the second round heat of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park also on Saturday Fast Fit Paddy was pretty friendless from a tricky draw but those that took the 8-1 on offer were soon in clover as the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained star flew from trap four to really grab the contest by the scruff of the neck.
This was a truly dominant display from the son of Ballymac Vic and Rosmult Martha. Storys Peewee also came away racing but Fast Fit Paddy soon mastered his rival into the bend to turn in front. The big two in the betting Coolavanny Duke and Crokers Spirit most mistimed the start and soon found themselves tight of room as the fast-starting Fast Fit Paddy edged inwards.
It was a decisive manoeuvre from Fast Fit Paddy. Those familiar with John Quinn of Gort and Paul Horig’s charge were in no doubt what would happen. A powerful galloper, he eased clear of his rivals to hit halfway four lengths clear of Coolavanny Duke, who ran a remarkable second turn to go second.
