Kilmihil handler Kieran Browne was the man in top form in Galway Track on Friday night as he sent out two winners.
In race 2 which was an A6 graded contest, Cloneyogan Jet and Burnpark Rankin disputed the early lead and racing towards the opening bend it was Burnpark Rankin owned by Kieran’s wife Maria that took a definite advantage as they took the bend. Racing down the back Burnpark Rankin opened up a two length advantage on Cloneyogan Jet as Astro Suzie and Croaghill Doris also tried to get involved. Rounding the home bend Burnpark Rankin led by two lengths but he was all out close home to hold Croaghill Doris by half a length in 29.78.
There was a further boost for Kiera in race 7 he sent out Ballyea Ruby to win for his brother-in-law Noel Gavin of Ballyea. Showing good improvement on her debut effort from earlier in the month as she made all the running to defeat Ballylean Rogue by three parts of a length in 29.97. Trapping well the winner led Poles Apart and Ballylean Rogue by two lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing along the back straight the winner opened up a four length advantage on her rivals but from the home bend she was searching for the line as both Ballylean Rogue and Malibu Baby closed with every stride.
Race 8 was an A5 graded contest which developed into a match from the opening bend as Solana Beach and Noelles Torello both showed pace on the run to the opening bend to lead from Confused Hassett and Sugan Snowey. Turning to run down the back straight Solana Beach led her rival by three parts of a length as they began to draw clear of their rivals. Approaching the home bend Noelles Torello loomed up on the leaders outside but the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Solana Beach responded well to prevail by a neck at the line in 29.21.
The outcome of race 10 was never in doubt from the opening bend as the Rachel Murray and Sean O’Riordan of Sixmilebridge owned Derra Misty made all the running to defeat Headford Honey by two lengths in 19.37. The daughter of Laughill Blake and Playmistyforme was very smartly into stride and led by over length form Headford Honey Orbsen Quest approaching the opening bend. With bunching among the chasing pace Derra Misty kicked clear between the two bend and the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner stayed on well up the home straight for victory
Murray was back in the winners enclosure after the opening contest on Saturdays nights card. Here Croaghill Blake broke smartly on the wide outside to lead on the run towards the opening bend as Non Stop also showed pace towards the inner to join issue as they negotiated the opening turn. Rounding the bend the Niall O’Riordan of Shannon owned Non Stop took a definite advantage along the rails and railing well around the final bends, the daughter of Shaneboy Lee and Raficky stayed on well to defeat Croaghill Blake by a length and three parts in 19.35.
The Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Zero recorded his fourth career success in an S6 graded sprint contest as he led off the home bend in his way to a three parts for a length success over Ruthies Joy in 19.42, Ruthies Joy and Aulton Zero were both away well with Ruthies Joy leading by over a length rounding the opening bend . Approaching the home bend the leader drifted wide and with the Seamus Fahy trained Aulton Zero railing well this proved decisive as Aulton Zero stayed on the stronger.
Meanwhile in Limerick, there was an explosive start to the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial. Progression to the second round was recorded by Noel Hehir’s Coolavanny Lilly, Flyers Iniesta owned by Patsy Fitzgerald of Kilrush and Rockalong Rocket owned by Tulla’s Michael McNamara.
