Ennistymon’s Tom Flanagan’s run of success continued at Limerick greyhound stadium.
By Michael Maher
Saturday evening’s Galway Card had a pair of A1 graded contest at top of the bill over the 550 and 525 yards trip respectively.
As the traps rose for the opening contest which was an A5 graded contest Handels Messiah and Peteles Duke were both smartly into their stride and racing towards the opening bend the pair matched stride two lengths clear of Darla The Queen. Rounding the bend the rail hugging Handles Messiah took a length out of his rival and by the halfway mark the lead had stretched to three lengths. From the third bend though the Frank Casey of Newmarket-on-Fergus owned Ferryforth Jess began to close on the leader and as Handels Messiah treaded water Ferryforth Jess (Rockabay Foley-Lemon Jane) swept by to prevail by three parts of a length in 29.45.
The S1 sixth contest produced a thrilling finish as the Denny Gould of Cree owned Cree Sydney got the better of Menmal Prince in what was a two dog battle of the 350 yards trip by a head at the line in 19.20. Smartly away out wide Cree Sydney showed pace to lead on the run towards the opening bend where Menmal Prince tracked well to take over along the inner. Off the home bend the leader swung wide and with Cree Sydney (Droopys Sydney-Coolavanny Dream) switching inside he finished the stronger to just gain the upper hand on the line.
Narrowly denied in the previous contest the Martin Fahy and Mullagh native Michael Casey team gained quick compensation as their Menmal Princess (Paddy Magic-Cottage Brandy) made just about all to record a length and three parts success over Inherowntime in 29.27. Headed from traps by Merciful Debbie on the rails Menmal Princess showed fine early pace to lead her rivals by over two lengths rounding the opening bend and with some bunching behind the found herself five lengths clear at halfway. From the third bend the runner up gradually closed the gap but the winner was always in control throughout the contest
The outcome of the A5 graded contest fourth contest on Friday night’s card was eventually decided close home as the Michael Corry and Michael Daly of Clarecastle owned Lillies Joy saw off the persistent challenge of the wide seeded Creevy Chick by half a length in 29.56 and record her eighth career success. The Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained winner trapped well and at the opening bend railed well as Creevy Chick moved round the outer to join issue into the back straight. Racing along the back the pair matched strides but railing well Lillies Joy (Ballymac Vic-Brookeville Dash) gradually gained the upper hand from early in the straight.
There was a 12-race card on offer last Thursday night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium which produced four Clare owned winners. Once again it was a prolific evening for Ennistymon’s trainer and owner Tom Flanagan who recorded a double with Ballyea Sydney and Mythical Hippy.
Ballyea Sydney who is owned by Noel Gavin who is well known from O’Sullivan and Hansbury motors is proving to be a very consistent performer, Sydney gave an eye-catching performance to land the spoils in 28.88, matching his personal best in an A2 contest, this was the fastest run of the evening, and career success number 4 for this son of Droopys Sydney and Sarista.
Tom’s double was completed with his own Mythical Hippy in race ten an A4 contest. Hippy a daughter of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye, led from the off and stayed on strongly to cross the line with a four and a half lengths margin in 29.23 and in doing so justified her favourite starting price of 2/1, this was her sixth career win.
Parteen based Shanakyle Syndicate under the stewardship of Joe Collins, have been entering the winner’s enclosure frequently in 2022, and this continued when Shanaklye Abbey notched her third career win when she duly obliged, leading from trap to line to record 29.63 in an A4 contest, this was career win number three for this daughter of Droopys Roddick and Toremore Nosey.
Anne Carey form Cooraclare enjoyed the performance of Gower Pam, who finished strongly to take the honours in an A5 contest in 29.59. This was a fourth career win for this daughter of Droopys Roddick and Clounanna Pam.
