The concluding A3 graded 525 yards contest was the feature event on Thursday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium on an eight race card that also featured the opening round heats of the Liam Brussels Memorial A4 525.
By Michael Maher
As the traps rose for the finale Balyhooly Belle and Port West Tiger were away well in the centre of the track but as they approached the opening bend the Martin Williams of Barefield owned Knockanoura Kate that moved through along the inner to take command of the contest entering the back straight. Racing along the back the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained lad was closely attended to by Thisisthelife as the pair settled down to scrap it out but from the third bend Knockanoura Kate (Burgess Bucks & Crokers Wish) began to draw right away to score by seven and a half lengths in 29.36.
The night’s opening contest was an S8 graded sprint contest in which the red jacketed Kates Princess was best away and showing good pace the John Maher of Kilmaley owned lady led from Curious Angela and Princess Roisin racing towards the opening bend. Rounding the bend the leader tracked well as Curious Angela ran wide and this would prove vital as Kates Princess (Kinloch Brae & Baby Sugar) scored by three and a half lengths in 19.58.
In the early strides of the A6 graded contest Heathlawn Daisy and Derrymoyle Bono were both prominent and racing towards the opening bend the pair were joined by the red jacketed Rylane Lady who muscled her way through on the rails to lead entering the back straight. Racing along the back the Donal Duggan of Tulla owned and trained Rylane Lady began to extend her lead with every stride and once again railing well between the final two bends the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Notimetotalk was home and hosed by eight and a half lengths at the line in 29.36.
The €10,000 to the winner Fonez Galway Oaks generously sponsored by Gabriel Carey was the feature contest on Friday nights card at Galway Greyhound Stadium with the final of Stephen Molloy Memorial A2 sponsored by the Molloy Family and The Crafty Kennels Sponsored Novice 525 also down for decision.
As the runners went to trap for the nights feature event the red jacketed Annie On Faya just shaded favouritism but as the traps rose it was the white jacketed Drombeg Pearl that just about came away best and racing towards the opening bend the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Kat showed good pace to lead from Wesstway Rossa on her outside with Annie On Faya close up along the inner as they negotiated the opening corner.
Racing down the back Drombeg Pearl led Westway Rossa by over a length with two lengths back to Annie On Faya who was trying to close on the inner. Exiting the back straight Drombeg Pearl edged her advantage out to two lengths as Westway Rossa went to move inside to deliver her challenge but young Evan McAuliffe has his tea in tremendous form and Drombeg Pearl saw off the challenge of Westway Rossa by half a length with two and a half lengths back to Annie On Faya in third place in 28.80 to complete a memorable night for his eighteen year old owner and his younger brother Graham who is an integral part of the team.
In the 810 yard marathon the red jacketed Fantasy Tuppence trapped well along the rail and showing good early pace the Albert Mullins of Gort trained runner quickly opened up a three length advantage over her rivals headed by Kitmins Maureen exiting the back straight first time. Racing along the home straight for the first time the Top Benefit Syndicate owned Fantasy Tuppence extended her advantage to over six lengths as Garren Ivy came out of the back to give chase but out front the daughter of Redzer Ardfert and Fantasy Lane was in command as she lasted home by three lengths at the line in 46.11
The last two races on the Limerick card on last Saturday night were the semi-finals of the Limerick Getting Out AO 525 and it was the Myles Cummins of Newmarket on Fergus-owned Snuggy Bobby that went narrowly quickest. A son of Ballymac Cashout and Slaneyside Goldi, the 5/2 chance looked out with the washing early on as he sat in a midfield position, however, he showed constant improvement down the back to move second. Thereafter, he was all-0ut to reel in the 8/1 outsider Airfield Best but that he did as he got up late to win by a short-head. The time was 28.59.
