KIRSTY FLIES TO IRGT SUCCESS AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

It was a busy night at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday as many sweepstakes got underway, however, the performance of the night came in the final of IRGT A3 525 as Flyers Kirsty made it four straight victories.

Owned by Michael Fitzgerald, Flyers Kirsty had taken this competition by storm as she won each of her earlier round assignments comfortably, culminating in her being installed as the 4/6 favourite for the €1,100 prize. That said, it was to prove her toughest test to date in the decider. Running from trap one, Flyers Kirsty came away only moderately from red as Menmal King showed the early pace from trap three. However, the favourite was to take full advantage of her inside berth as she used her outside rivals as a buffer to turn in front entering the back. From here, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta manufactured a two length advantage and she looked home and hosed approaching the penultimate turn. Swinging wide off the final turn, this wasn’t too detrimental to this promising sort as although this allowed Tinks Abbie to get back into contention, Flyers Kirsty straightened up well to still cross the line with one length in hand. The time was a fast 28.97 .10s and many congratulations are extended to Michael Fitzgerald.

SWEEPSTAKE ACTION

Elsewhere on the card, the semi finals of the Galway Plate A2 525 got underway and it was Drombeg Apollo who went quickest for Evan McAuliffe, who incidentally recorded a double on the night with Drombeg Diego scoring earlier. A 5/2 market chance, Drombeg Apollo came away like the wind from trap one and rounded the opener with a two length lead over Grangeview Lolo in second. This remained as you were thereafter as the son of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Vicie raced to a comfortable success, posting 29.17 .10s.

In the opening semi, 9/4 chance Noelles Milano handed a defeat to the even money favourite, Joeys Champ. Owned by Noelle Divilly, this January 22’ baby was hoping to get back on track after a series of defeats and she did so impressively, coming from off-the-pace to score. Running from trap three, Noelles Milano was led early on by Joeys Champ but improved into second and was the greyhound showing all the back straight pace to emerge a potent threat. Edging closer rounding the bottom two bends, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Noelles Camino powered to the front late on to record a one length victory over Joeys Champ in second. The time was 29.24 .10s.

The Raha Mofo A4 525 semis were also kicking-off and the quickest return came in the opening semi as Donies Wood raced to a facile victory. Owned by Declan Kilkenny, the son of Magical Bale and Notimetotalk led early from trap one and this proved the catalyst for a comprehensive victory in the end. Storming clear of his rivals, he crossed the line with six lengths in hand over Heathlawn Bullet in second. The time was 29.13 .10s.

In the second semi final, Joeys Sydney scored at odds of 5/2, defeating the fancied Grangeview Liz in second. Owned by the Joeys-Lads-Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Mt Heaton Daisy was actually led by the favourite early on but was to storm past his rival down the back straight to win comfortably. Staying on strongly thereafter, Joeys Sydney crossed the line with two and a half lengths to spare, in a time of 29.34 .10s.