DROMBEG BANNER SIGNS OFF 2024 IN STYLE FOR EVAN MCAULIFFE

Peter Farrell

There were no fewer than five sweepstake finals on offer at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, however, not for this first time the year, the night belonged to Evan McAuliffe as he recorded a double on the card, including the winner of the feature event, which was the Paddy O’Gorman A1/A2 525.

Carrying a brilliant winner’s prize of €2,250, this wasn’t the first large pot that the McAuliffe connections have landed in 2024 as they accounted for the Fonez Galway Oaks back in late October. As a result, last night’s meeting at Galway brought the curtain down in spectacular fashion for connections and no doubt we will be hearing plenty of the ‘Drombeg’ prefix in 2025.

Indeed, there is only one place to start and that is with the Paddy O’Gorman A1/A2 as Drombeg Banner continued his incredible start to racing with fifth win from just six outings. The November 22’ whelp landed his semi final assignment in good style, however, had a bit to find on the clock and his starting price of 9/4 was representative of this. That said, he showed he is still on an upward curve with a fantastic display of grit and determination to see off a persistent rival in Summerfield Air. At traprise, a level break saw both Drombeg Banner and Summerfield Air show the best of the early speed and the two battled it out for the lead on the run-up. At this point, ‘Summerfield’ had the inside line in one and this almost proved decisive as he handed Drombeg Banner a hefty bump, one of which he did extremely well to stay on all-fours. Neck and neck down the back, this quickly developed into a two-dog affair, however, rounding the bottom two bends, ‘Banner’ began to assert. Showing fine gameness to go on by three parts of a length, the son of Explosive Boy and Hazelfield Echo upped the ante on the run for home and this proved the undoing of the gallant Summerfield Air in second. Crossing the line one and a half lengths too strong, Drombeg Banner stopped the clock in a brisk 29.19.

APOLLO QUICKEST OF THE NIGHT

Drombeg Apollo may not have been contesting a sweepstake final, however, he did go home with the bragging rights as he produced a fastest of the night performance in his A1/A2 525 contest.

An absolute serial winner, Drombeg Apollo (Grangeview Ten - Grangeview Vicie) was seeking out a brilliant seventeenth career victory on the night as he made his intentions clear early doors with an electric start from trap three. In doing so, the 6/4 second favourite opened a two length advantage over Brickhill Fayla (1/1) and in truth, the writing was on the wall given the stamina limitations of the latter. ‘Fayla’ did produce a really spirited effort to close the gap between the bottom two bends, however, the damage was done early by Drombeg Apollo as he raced to a one length victory over the staying-on Lady Aston in second. The time was 28.93.

ROUNDING UP THE FINALS

The first final that went down for decision on the night was the ‘Christmas Dash S8-S10 350’ and this was landed in predictable fashion by the 4/5 favourite, Burkos Tarzan.

Owned by Edward Burke, Burkos Tarzan had landed his semi final task in runaway fashion and he was to produce something similar in the decider as the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Crokers Ruby made it back-to-back wins. Running from two, the massive 89-pounder flew from traps but just held his position early on from the improving duo of Ballyhale Billy and Bobtailbuttercup. In doing so, he created daylight around the bottom two bends before excelling up the home straight to open a three length winning margin, in a time of 19.29.

There was €800 up for grabs in the final of the ‘Christmas Cracker A5/A6 525’ and this went the way of the Harper Ward-owned Mirabel, who returned to winning ways to bring up her half-dozen.

French Fearless was installed as the 5/4 favourite in this contest, however, a closely knit pack at the opener saw Mirabel (5/2) swoop around the outside and take control. In doing so, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Cactus Sapphire opened a healthy advantage over Kallaspic Queen and she showed brilliant stamina in the closing yards to cement her superiority and cross the line three lengths too strong. The time was a fast 29.17.

The final of the ‘Thanks To Our Sponsors In 2024 A7-A10 525’ came in race two and this was landed by Pronto Bucks at odds of 3/1.

Boasting a winner’s prize of €550, Pronto Bucks, owned by Frank Casey, had a bit to find on the clock, however he did so in brilliant style as he produced a career best performance to land the decider. Running from trap two, the son of Burgess Bucks and Churchtown Mimee took a flier and in doing so, he quickly took ownership of the rails to run to a virtual solo. Holding a five length lead down the back, ‘Bucks’ took no prisoners in coming home five and a half lengths superior to Aulton Joxer in second. The time was a decent 29.38.

The ‘Best Wishes For 2025 S5/S6 350’ was next on the agenda and this was landed in thrilling style by the Scott Bennitt-owned Seekers Jet.

Trained by Margaret Bolton, who was another handler to secure a fine double on the night, Seekers Jet was chasing a hat-trick of wins and the 2/1 chance duly obliged, albeit after making life hard for himself. Running from six, ‘Seeker’ was spring-like at boxes and immediately opened a commanding lead on the run-up. His wide-running antics saw him surrender his lead around the bottom two bends as Crinkill Denis took control up top, however, Seekers Jet stretched out once more up the home straight to storm past his rival and land the €500 prize. One length clear crossing the line, the time was 19.21.

FIREFLY SECURES BOLTON DOUBLE

Prior to that, there was a most impressive marathon debut from the Bolton kennel as Baby Firefly really excelled over the 810-yard distance.

Installed as the 4/6 favourite, Baby Firefly was impressive on her last start over the standard trip and the pocket-sized tracker emerged a wide-margin winner after a flier from five early on. In doing so, ‘Firefly’ opened a six length lead, which quickly grew on the back straight second time around. In truth, the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Bower Deise was in no mood for stopping and she eventually crossed the line nine lengths clear of Ellie Oracle in second. The time was 46.36.