LISCANNOR’S Declan McDonagh claimed a semi-final double win in Galway.
By Michael Maher
The concluding A3 contest over 550 yards was the feature contest on Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium. The outcome of the first semi-final of the A4 Sweepstake was in little doubt from as early as the second bend as the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Warrior had his rivals strung out like Monday morning washing behind as he set sail for home.
Very smartly away from his trap five berth, the Declan McDonagh of Lisscannor trained son of Ballymac Kingdom and Wolfofwallstreets led from Hollywell Merlin and Substance racing towards the opening bend but as he whizzed around the turn he quickly had his rivals raising the white flag. Ten lengths clear approaching the penultimate corner he was home and hosed as he took his stats to four wins from five outings with a seven & a half lengths defeat of Hollywell Flint in 28.86.
In the second semi-final, Hanover Luna began well along the inner but she was closely attended to by Notsobadnow as they raced towards the opening bend rounding which the Declan McDonagh trained Notsobadnow took command of proceedings and quickly set sail for home entering the back straight. Striding out well racing along the back the Going-Well-Now Syndicate owned son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Raha Gogo extended his advantage to over four lengths on Hanover Luna passing halfway and tracking well around the final two bends eased home three and a half lengths clears of Hanover Luna and Grangeview Scoob in 29.22.
The final of the €5000 to the winner 1XBet Tour Series A3 525 Yards Stake was the feature contest on Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium which went to the Noelle and James Divilly owned Neollles Bebeto in a time of 29.05.
Racing opened with an A5 graded 525 yards contest in which the Johnny Burke of Tubber owned Sues Jetty trapped really well from her trap four berth and racing towards the opening bend she led from Annadown Sophie and Pronto Bucks. Racing down the back Sues Jetty increased her advantage over her rivals who were still headed by Annadown Sophie as they approached the penultimate corner. Off the home bend Sues Jetty began to come back to her rivals slightly but the daughter of Dromana Bucko and Tiermana Jetty had a length and a half to spare over Annadown Sophie at the line in 29.95.
