*Hughie Keleghan Chairman of the WGOBA makes the presentation to Sean Meade of Miltown Malbay after Paradise Gomez won the Stake Final
MILTOWN MALBAY’s Sean Meade was in paradise on Saturday night or rather celebratory form in Galway following the success of Paradise Gomez.
By Michael Maher
The chief supporting contest at the Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last was the Final of the N2 Novice 525 Sweepstake and from traps the Sean Meade of Miltown Malbay owned Paradise Gomez really hit the ground running and showing fine early pace the daughter of Ice On Fire and Paradise Asia led Frenchfort Queen and Sues Lark by over two lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing along the back straight the leaders advantage quickly became seven lengths as she passed the halfway mark and although she began to come back to her rivals in the home straight she prevailed by two and a half lengths over Frenchfort Queen at the line in 29.17.
The opening contest of the night was an A6 graded contest in which the red jacketed Bumblebee Lottie trapped well along the inner and led from Lightfoot Lunar and Drombeg Nifty racing towards the opening bend. Racing down the back straight Bumblebee Lottie led by three lengths to Drombeg Nifty as the Clare natives John Colllins and Albert Long owned Brickhill Rosie began to close on the outside . Between the final two bends Brickhill Rosie closed with every stride and striking the front off the home bend the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes eased clear to score by three lengths in 29.67.
In heat one of the A3 Dual Distance Sweepstake, Claudegreengrass broke smartly in the centre of the track and on the long run towards the opening bend he disputed the lead with Cloneyogan Sydny with Uphill Climb and Rosshill News tracking the leaders around the opening bend. Racing down the back straight Claudegreengrass went three lengths clear of Cloneyogan Sydny with Rosshill News in third place. The order remained unchanged to the home bend where the leader began to tie up and the Siobhan Garrahy of Lahinch owned Cloneyogan Sydny (Droopys Sydney-Tiermana Rum) swept through to score for the Donie Duggan of Tulla kennel by a length from Rosshill News in 30.76.
In the third heat the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Jim trapped well in the centre of the track and racing towards the opening bend the Vincent McKenna trained runner led Stonepark Sam and Borna Show by two lengths. Tracking well around the opening two bends Aulton Jim opened up a three length advantage over Borna Show as he raced passed halfway. Exiting the back straight Aulton Jim was still in command at the head of affairs and although the son of Ballymac Cashout and Jumeirah Genie looked set for an easy victory at this point Borna Show closed with every stride to get within three parts of a length in 30.28.
Friday night’s Galway card featured the opening round heats of the Bet On the Tote A5 Dual Distance Stake with the opening round heats over the 550 Yards trip.
In the third heat of the Bet on the Tote Dual Distance Stake Fantasy Penny was away quite smartly and racing towards the opening bend she led Clonkelly Cat and Aunty Clare by over three lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing down the back, Fantasy Penny extended her lead to over four lengths as Aunty Clare emerged as the only danger approaching the third bend. Turning for home the writing was on the wall for the leader as the Donal Duggan of Tulla owned and trained Aunty Clare (Out Of Range Ash-Airfield Biddy) swept through to win going away by two and a half lengths in 30.95.
Racing towards the opening bend in the A8 graded contest Coillbhui Catchy just about shaded the issue with Creevy Crystal and Astro Kevin also close up as they rounded the opening bend. Rounding the opening bend Coilbhui Catchy and Astro Kevin went on and racing towards the halfway mark the Gary & Damien Pepper of Feakle owned Astro Kevin began to take control of proceedings. Exiting the back straight Woo Hoo Emoski went in pursuit but Astro Kevin (Droopys Roddick-Teecee Clipper) was on command as he scored by two and a half lengths in 30.26.
