90TH anniversary celebrations took place at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was Sixmilebridge’s Stephen Murray who proved to be the man in form.
Murray notched a double on the card. Arrowhead was most impressive as he showed superior stamina to see off Astro Podge in the closing stages. Owned by Kevin Ryan of Ruan, Arrowhead came away well from six but was headed early doors as Astro Podge, despite drifting wide, headed proceedings at the opener. A two-dog affair thereafter, Arrowhead made his move midway down the back and despite having the door slammed shut at the point, the son of Pat C Sabbath showed good determination to come back for more and claim a half length victory. The time was a fast 29.08.20s.
In the concluding race of the night, a 350-yard sprint, the double was secured as Inishodriskol maintained her unbeaten career start to make it three wins on the spin. Owned by Mary Grace of Shannon, Inishodriskol was an even money chance at the off and although narrowly headed by Caislean Ciara on the run to the turn, the daughter of Magical Bale and Donation took charge around the bottom two bends. Nip and tuck on the run to the finishing line, Inishodriskol kept enough in reserve to hold off Caislean Ciara by a head on the line. The time was 19.64.10s.
Friday night’s card featured two graded stakes finals sponsored by the W.G.O.B.A and the opening round of an S7 Sprint Stake also sponsored by the local Owners and Breeders Association. In the opening heat of the WGOBA S7 350 Stake Bobtailbuttercup was away best towards the outside but it was the red jacketed Knoppogue Star that showed the best early pace along the rails to lead from Creevy Bird and Bobtailbuttercup as they approached the opening bend. Between the two bends Knoppogue Star opened up a two length advantage and staying on well, the son of Skywalker Rafa and Malteaser scored by two and three quarter lengths for owner-trainer Donal Duggan of Tulla in 19.39 from Creevy Bird.
The second round heats of the John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup were the main attraction to Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last and there was no doubt about the star performer as Stream of Sydney built on her opening round win with a stunning display in heat two.
After winning her opening round assignment in a brisk 28.55, the Pat Buckley-trained Stream of Sydney shot to the top of the outright market and she strengthened that position with a quite incredible display in racing to a comfortable victory.
Owned by the sponsors brother, Austin Whelan who hails from North Clare, Stream of Sydney donned the blue jacket in heat two and she produced another impeccable start to show immediate acceleration and take control on the run to the turn. From here, there was no stopping the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jet Stream Proof as the 1/2 shot bound clear of the chasing pack and it was evident a special clock on the horizon. Powering around the bottom two bends, Stream of Sydney was relentless in racing to facile nine length victory over Wizard in second. The time was a red-hot 28.29 and the remaining qualifying position went to Jackals Jewel, who was a further six lengths back in third.
In the opening heat of the night, Tromora Rocket ensured she kept her unbeaten record intact in the stake with an off-the-pace performance. Owned by David Hogan, of Quilty, Tromora Rocket went to traps a 5/2 shot and she broke in front from the middle to dictate the opening yards. However, the inside duo of Mohane Maggie and Hello Tommy outpaced their rivals early on and it was the former who took charge on the rail. Tromora Rocket wasn’t to be denied however and after showing big speed down the back, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger raced around both Mohane Maggie and Hello Tommy before staying on strongly to deny another fast finisher in the form of Brickfield Cody in trap six. The time was 28.99 with Hello Tommy just a half length further back in third.
