James Murray Galway Racing Manager makes the presentation to James McMahon after Lissatuuk Bailey won the S8 Stake Final. Also pictured is James’ father James.
COORACLARE OWNED Lissatouk Bailey took the spoils in the S8 350 Yards Sweepstake Final in Galway.
By Michael Maher
Friday night’s card at Galway card featured the finals of both the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby and the On Faya Kennels A2 Bitch Stake.
As the traps rose for the €9000 to the winner Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby Magical Mag in the blue jacketed was first to emerge with Canya Stve on her inner and Bllymac Sorrel on her outer within a half a length of the leader as they made the long trek towards the all-important opening bend.
At the bend the Pat Guilfoyle of Cloughjordan owned and trained Magical Mag cornered in front by a length as Canya Steve railed well to enter the back straight in second spot albeit two lengths adrift. Racing past halfway Magical Mag was beginning to cast her spell over her rivals as she opened a four length advantage as Ballymac Sorrel took up the chase in second place but out front Magical Mag(Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna) was now in complete control of proceedings as she stayed on all the way to the line and prove two and a half lengths too strong for Ballymac Sorrel in 30.18
The opening contest on the card was an A5 graded 525 and from traps Mirable and Cloneyogan Sydny were away well towards the inner with One Inallout also close up as they approached the opening bend. At the turn the Donal Duggan of Tulla trained Clobeyogan Sydney with the benefit of the inside line just shaded the issue before edging his lead out to two lengths entering the back straight. Racing along the back the son of Droopys Sydney and Tiermana Rum gradually extended his advantage over his rivals to half a dozen lengths and at the line the Siobhan Garraghy of Lahinch owned winner scored by five and a half lengths from One Inallout in 29.25.
The final contest of a great nights racing was an A4 graded affair and in the early strides Clonkelly Cat was prominent in the centre of the track with Kiltymon Ninja also showing pace along the rails and as they rounded the opening bend it was the Maiden Voyage Syndicate owned Kiltymon Ninja that took an advantage of two lengths as Drombeg Marley moved into second place. Racing down the back Kiltymon Ninja (Good News-Kiltymon Pearl) led by a length and a half as Drombeg Marley tree to bridge the gap but from the third bend the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Kiltymon Ninja began to draw clear as he scored by four lengths at the line in 29.31.
Four first round heats of the No Backgraders A3 525 yards stake formed the spine of Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium with the final of the upcoming Sweepstakes S8 Sprint Stakes also down for decision
The concluding heat of the No Backgraders A3 525 Stake Aulton Joxer and Crafty Crypto were away well and racing towards the opening bend the pair were tracked by Brickhill Moana along the inside rail. Rounding the bend Aulton Joxer railed well to lead into the back straight from Brickhill Moana as Clondon Ansar made ground on the wide outside passing halfway. Rounding the third bend Clondon Ansar struck the front and went a length clear but tracking well into the home bend the Clare natives John Collins and Albert Long owned Brickhill Moana(Ballymac Bolger-Twentylittletoes) took command on straightening for home to win going away at the line by four and a half lengths in 29.38.
In the early strides of the S8 350 Yards Sweepstake Final, Maigue Fisher was prominent towards the outside and with Lissatouk Bailey in close attendance as they approached the opening bend with Peteles Prospect closing on the wide outside as they rounded the bend. Railing tightly the James McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Bailey poked her head in front on the crown of the turn and although Peteles Prospect launched a strong challenge down the wide outside Lissatouk Bailey (Newhall Missile & Rathmeehan Cragg) prevailed by half a length at the line in 19.73.
