ONE of the main events at Limerick Track last Saturday night were the semi-finals of the Wheeler Auctioneers A2 525 Stake.
In the second semi, Ballyea Buck made-all to bring up a hat-trick of wins and indeed, his fifth victory in total. Trained by Declan McDonagh of Liscannor for Noel Gavin of Ballyea, ‘Buck’ went to traps as a 2/1 chance and he pinged the lids from four to take his rivals into the opening bend. In doing so, the son of Burgess Bucks and Coolavanny Spice stuck to his task well as he saw off the determined finish of Lahort Lady, by one length, in 28.64.10.
Limerick and Clare GOBA are consistently hard at work both on and off the track and it should be noted that they are currently running a fundraising Christmas Draw with some great prizes on offer. The fundraising draw is due to be held during racing on this Saturday, 21st December, and the prizes includes two festive meat hampers, as well as a variety of vouchers and much more. It would be very much appreciated if patrons would get behind the Christmas draw and anyone wishing to avail of a ticket can reach out to any member of the Limerick & Clare GOBA.
The Four Opening Round Heats of the Paddy O’Gorman A1 525 formed the spine of Friday night’s action at Galway Greyhound Stadium. The €2250 to the winner event name in honour of long standing starter and racing steward Paddy O’Gorman is sponsored by the W.G.O.B.A. The heats produced some excellent racing with Colossal Venture on the clock and Rinnwood Gem visually both running out impressive winners.
In the second heat Donies Wood trapped well and led his rivals towards the opening bend where Colossal Venture closed right upon on the leaders outer before taking over in front entering the back straight. Racing down the back Colossal Venture quickly opened up a commanding advantage over Springwell Eddy with Sir Rodger no on third place as they left the far side. Out front though the Colossal Syndicate of Rockmount, Ennis and Kilmaley owned Colossal Venture (Droopys Sydney & Droopys Lulllaby) was home and hosed scoring by five and a half lengths form Springwell Eddy and Rinnwood Leo in 28.82.
Racing towards the opening bend in the third heat Brickhill Fayla showed her usual burst of early pace to lead round by over two lengths from Laois Lighting with Lady Aston and Kelpie also close up as they headed for the back straight. Racing down the back the Cyril Collins and Kate Comerford of Gort owned Brickhill Fayla quickly set sail for home as Laois Lightening emerged as the only threat approaching the bend of the back straight. Out front though it was a case of how far for Brickhill Fayla as the daughter of Good News and Twentylittletoes scored by three lengths from Laois Lightening in 29.30.
Saturday night’s card featured two semi-finals of the Kilcolgan Castle Guys and Dolls 525 Stake. In the first semi-final Burnpark Taylor trapped well from his trap five berth and racing towards the opening bend he led Springwell Denny by over two lengths with Confused Kiely in third place as they raced into the back straight. Passing halfway Springwell Denny closed to within half a length of the leader but as the third bend loomed the Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Taylor (Newinn Taylor & Burnpark Leanne) kicked again and shot a couple of lengths clear as he stayed on well to score by two lengths at the line in 29.49.
In race three, all six runners came away as one for this A7 graded affair but as the opening bend loomed the red jacketed Pronto Bucks just shaded the issue along the rails from Bumblebee Lottie and Nivea Blue. Turning down the back the Frank Casey of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned Pronto Bucks extended his advantage to two lengths over Bumblebee Lottie and as he continued to rail well between the final two bends the son of Burgess Bucks and Churchtown Mimea stayed on well to score by a length from Bumblebee Lottie in 30.00.
There was an exciting finish to the A6 graded 525 yards contest as the Seamus McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Suzy just lasted home by a head from Fortune Sydney in 29.71. Racing towards the opening bend Lissatouk Suzy showed pace in the centre of the track to lead from Fortune Sydney and Fast Fit Fergie on her inner. Turning down the back Fortune Sydney moved through on the leaders inner to join issue and the pair then set off down the back stride for stride. Leaving the back straight Fortune Sydney briefly struck the front but Lissatouk Suzy (Laughill Blake & Lissatouk Dolly) rallied off the home turn to regain the upper hand close home.
