VETERAN Gerry Maloney had more joy in the greyhound scene with Threebagsofmeat winning again.
By Michael Maher
Racing towards the opening bend in this A7 graded affair at the Galway Track on last Friday night, all six runners were closely grouped with Ballygibbon Ted and Carebear Cara just shading the issue as they reached the turn. Rounding the bend Ballygibbon Ted took a length out of his rivals and racing towards the halfway mark he led Threebagsofmeat by almost two lengths. Approaching the penultimate corner the Johnny Burke and Gerry Maloney of Ennis owned Threebagsofmeat went for the gap on the rails and once the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet & Grangeview Nifty struck the front she drew right away to defeat Creevy Jet by eight lengths in 29.99.
Kilrush trainer Colm Fitzgerald has a very decent strike rate with his runners and he added to the kennel tally in this S8 graded contest as the Michael and Liam Fitzgerald owned Flyers Swiftly beaten in a hot newcomers contest on debut made no mistake at the second time of asking she made all to defeat Alva Chase by three lengths in 19.45. Away smartly from her trap three berth the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet and Milldridge Dolly was closely attended to by Alva Chase racing towards the opening bend but she stamped her authority on proceedings at this point. Tracking well the winner extended her advantage gradually all the way to the line.
Having met trouble at the penultimate bend on debut, Brickhill Timika owned by Clare native John Collins got off the mark at the second time of asking in this A7 graded affair as he defeated Leavethattome by half a length in 29.78. Leavethattome was best away and lead early form Let’s Go Easy and Brickhill Timika. Rounding the opening bend Brick Timika slipped through to lead along the inner and by halfway the son of Dromana Bucko and Brickhill Sharon led by three lengths. From the third bend Leavethattome did close again on the leader but Brickhill Timika was also holding the challenge late on.
The Joe Clancy owned Bayview Power lived up somewhat to his name as he powered round the outside of the pace setting Peteles Prospect off the home bend as he recorded his third career success by four lengths over Lissatouk Storm in 29.84. Peteles Prospect broke well out wide and led the field by two lengths rounding the opening bend. Racing down the back the lead stretched to four lengths as Bayview Power went in pursuit passing halfway. Approaching the home bend, the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner loomed up on the leaders outside before the son of Ballymac Wild and Bayview Power eased clear to win.
The Final of the Martin Fahy Memorial A4 525 Yards Stake generously sponsored by the Fahy Family was the feature event on Saturday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium with the Magical Kennels A6 Final the chief supporting contest on a card that also saw the local W.G.O.B.A. sponsor a number of races on the card in various grades.
As the traps rose for the €3000 to the winner feature contest all six runners came away as one with On The Latt in trap five just about the first to break rank as they passed the judge first time with Bayview Wild along the inner in close attendance as they approached the opening turn. Rounding the bend the front two raced as one with Bayview Wild first to enter the back straight with a narrow advantage. Racing toward the halfway mark though the Gerry O’Donoughue of Gort owned On The Latt was back in front in the outside and the son of Broadstrand Bono and Brickhill Sharon led by a half a length as they approached the penultimate bend with Hollywell Sky back in third place. Beginning the swing for home On The Latt led by a length and although he tracked wide around the home bend he would not be denied as he gamely saw off the challenge of Bayview Wild by half a length in 29.12 to the delight of his popular based Clare native owner.
In the A5 graded 525 yards contest saw all six runners come away on terms with Laois Lightening, Brickhill Como and Springwell Jon all showing pace racing towards the opening bend where the blue jacketed Laois Lightening tracked well along the rails to take a two length advantage over Brickhill Como entering the back straight. Racing along the back straight the Gordon Vaughan owned Laois Lightening extended his advantage to three lengths but as they approached the third bend Brickhill Como began to bridge the gap. Turning for home the lead was down to a length but try as Brickhill Como did he could not get to the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained Laois Ligheting(Ballymac Anton-Old Treasure) who prevailed by half a length in 29.44.
The final of the Callaway Pro Am Stud Irish St. Leger took centre stage at Limerick on Saturday night, there were also a number of outstanding performances throughout the card.
Race four saw the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Highview Tom (Ballymac Cashout – Highview Secure) come from off-the-pace to claim a fourth career success. Owned by Sean Kelly, the 9/2 chance was headed for the majority by Portdrine Magic in second, however, made his move at the three-quarter mark and he finished best of all in the closing stages to win by three parts of a length. The time was 28.88.
The second of the Derby trial stakes was claimed in exceptional fashion by the consistent Newport Pier, owned in Gort by the Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate. Now well into her fourth year, the daughter of Droopys Sydney remains a force and she absolutely pinged the lids from trap two to lead. In doing so, once clear the strong-running bitch was never going to be caught and she flew to a seven length success in a blistering 29.44.
The Final of the Limerick & Clare GOBA 525 was next on the agenda and Gulleen Ina (Droopys Sydney – Gulleen Queen) was to emerge triumphant for owner Timothy Gilbourne. A 10/3 market chance. ‘Ina’ was headed early on as both Tally Ho Rose and Rinnwood Leo exchanged the lead in the opening stages of the contest. The former looked to have the decider in the bag around the fine bend, however, Gulleen Ina slipped between runners to show the superior stamina and win by one length. The time was 28.68.
In the penultimate race, there was a runaway victory for the Gerry Holian trained Hot Wood (Airmount Nando – Burgess Millie). Installed as the 6/4 favourite, Pat Carey’s of Cratloe charge made light work of this contest in the end as he emerged a nine length winner over Trionas Tribe in second. The time was 28.39.
