THERE were ten races on offer at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night last and the highlight was a trap-to-line performance from Snuggie Bobby in the Con Murphy Bookmakers AAO/AO 525.
By Michael Maher
Owned by Myles Cummins of Newmarket-on-Fergus, Snuggie Bobby has been in fine form of late and he was bidding for a third victory from his last five starts when donning the white jacket. A tough contest on paper, the 7/2 shot got off to a ping start from three but was briefly headed by Battling Yank on his outside. However, it didn’t take long for ‘Bobby’ to reel in his rival and he motored around the inside to quickly manufacture a two length advantage.
Setting a blistering gallop down the back, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slaneyside Goldi was never under pressure thereafter and he stayed on expertly to duly record a popular, eighth victory of his career. Crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of the staying-on Boss Go in second, the time was a swift 28.39 on a track rated .20 fast on the night.
The concluding A2 graded 525 yards contest was the highlight on Friday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium which saw an excellent crowd enjoy some exiting racing. The opening contest of the night was an S8 graded sprint contest over 350 yards in which Cragmoher Lass came away best in the centre of the track as Burnpark Lorna showed pace also on the wide outside as they approached the opening bend. Rounding the bend the Kieran Browne and Brian O’Halloran of Cree owned Burnaprk Lorna swept three lengths clear of her rivals as Doublezero El Eh went in pursuit but the daughter of Newinn Wonder and Burnpark Maryln was fine beyond recall early in the straight as she scored by three and a half lengths in 19.57.
The Browne family were back in the winners enclosure following the S4 graded sprint contest as the Maria Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Jaytee blasted from traps as he raced to a two and a half length success over Heathlawn Best in 19.33. Away line the wind the son of Jaytee Jet and Seekers Vision quickly opened up a three length advantage over his rivals racing towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend the leader maintained a middle to wide berth as Heathlawn Best came out of the pack to give chase but the winner was home and hosed early in the straight.
Winner of his most recent two starts the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Fergie completed the hat-trick in this A7 graded 525 yards contest as he comfortably made all the running to defeat Hollywell Goose by four lengths in 29.89. Smartly into his stride the son of Malachi & Fast Fit Maeve named after the great Alex Ferguson quickly opened up a two lengthy advantage in his rivals headed by Nivea Blue racing towards the opening bend.
Turning down the back straight Hollywell Goose closed to within a length and a half of the leader but as they neared the third bend the lead was back to three lengths . Rounding the home bend Fast Fit Fergie was home for all money as Hollywell Goose kept on for second spot.
The A3 graded eighth contest looked like a match for the majority of the journey as Creevy Bird and Eastern Express disputed the load from early in the back straight after their rivals got in each others way rounding the opening bend. Racing along the back straight the pair raced virtually as one as Springwell Jon manoeuvred his way through the field to close on the leading pair exiting the far side. Off the home bend the Joseph Ward of Spancilhill owned Estern Express(Ballymac Bolger-Jet Stream Debit) struck off home but he was all out close home as the very unlucky Peteles Express flew home out wide to get within three parts of a length at the line 29.41.
