It was a weekend to remember for Inagh’s Noel Hehir as Coolavanny Chick took the honours on the Irish Greyhound Derby night of finals.
Blaze Trio Syndicate of Ennis owned Blaze Bam Bam came in as a reserve in trap four for the A4 graded fourth contest on Friday nights Card at the Galway Track and he doubled his success rate by leading off the home bend on his way to defeating Pearls Princess by two lengths in 29.01.
It became an even better night for the syndicate and trainer Tony Bridgale when Blaze Bee finished well to outpoint Grahams Jet by two lengths at the line in 29.23 in the A4 graded eighth contest. Grahams Jet just about led at the opening bend and turning down the back led from Blaze Bee and Drombeg Davy. Grahams Jet continued to lead down the back but Blaze Bee stayed on really well from the crown of the home bend to complete the kennel double
In race seven, Lisdoonvarna owner John Whelan and trainer Declan McDonagh of Liscannor teamed up to take this A8 graded wonted with the wide seeded View Cage who led approaching the opening bend in his way to a two and a half length success over Lakeside Milly in 29.16. The winner led Auggies Cregg and Sports Glory rounding the opening bend and down the back was a couple of lengths to the good. Three clear out of the back the son of Sh Avatar and Peerless Trio stayed on well all the way to the line.
Fast Fit Limit owned by Gort’s John Quinn was an impressive winner on Saturday nights card after leading at the opening bend in the A2 graded 550 yards event before drawing right away for a nine length success over Spin The Coin in 30.28.
There was an exiting finish to the A3 graded sixth contest as the Tommy Flanagan owned Mythical Enya (Droopys Buick-Flandys Hawkeye) just got the better of a protracted duel with Heathlawn Wonder close home to prevail by a length in 29.20.
The past week-end proved to to a good one for Inagh owner/trainer Noel Hehir. In the final race at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night he sent out Coolavanny Chick where she saw off a top-class field. After racing prominently in the early yards alongside Ballydoyle Valor and Ballymac Anton before making her move on the turn. Driving the bend, she opened up a three length lead over Ballydoyle Valor into the back straight. The latter came at her into the third bend and looked a serious threat as they turned for home but Coolavanny Chick powered up the straight to see off her rival by two lengths in a brilliant 30.85.
In the Kasco unraced Stake at Thurles also on Saturday night Hehir was on the mark with Coolavanny Hardy who produced some strong middle running to storm to victory. Not the most fluet of breaks saw the son of Kinloch Brae – Yahoo Perlena having to settle for fourth entering the opening corner but slipping through the gaps, the talented brindle turned on the afterburners down the back straight and he flew to a near twelve length victory.
