NOTHING TO SPLIT BENJY AND WOOD IN GALWAY’S FLAHERTY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A1/A2 550 served up some terrific action at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and there was nothing to separate both Townspark Benjy and Hot Wood as they posted identical winning times.

Both sent to traps expected to land the spoils, it was Townspark Benjy who was the first to show his hand as the even money favourite, trained by Ollie Bray, made it back-to-back wins in the stake. A winner in 30.09 .10s last time out, the April blue once again donned the blue jacket and he broke well from his inside berth to dispute with both Rinnwood Leo and Big Time Punter early on. Crucially holding the inside line, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Silver Penny saw Azeman throw down a major challenge entering the back, however, Bray’s charge upped the ante to go one and a half lengths clear rounding the penultimate bend. Staying on in superb fashion thereafter, Townspark Benjy comfortably crossed the line two and three parts of a length clear of Azeman in second, with Young Tiernan grabbing third. The time was a brisk 30.16 .10s

In the second semi, Hot Wood wasn’t to be outdone as the 4/5 favourite also made it back-to-back wins in the stake. Trained by Gerry Holian for Pat Carey, the Produce Stakes semi finalist looks in fine fettle ahead of his bid for a second valuable prize at Galway as he comprehensively saw off his rivals. Running from trap four, the son of Airmount Nando and Burgess Millie broke well from his middle berth but was headed in the early exchanges by Donies Wood in one. Three parts of a length adrift down the back, ‘Wood’ went into overdrive around the third bend as he swept to the front and thereafter, it proved a formality. Drawing clear on the long run for home, Hot Wood was three lengths too strong for Donies Wood at the line, while Aulton Lucy claimed the final qualifying position in third. The time was an identical 30.16 .10s.

MARTIN FAHY MEMORIAL

The undercard was filled with seven opening round heats of the Martin Fahy Memorial and this looks set to be a hugely competitive stake based on the first round results.

Heat 1 - Owned by Gerard O’Dowd, Springwell Thomo made it sixteen career wins from trap five as the 3/1 chance pounced late to chin French Fearless on the line. The lead changed hands on three occasions in this contest as first Grangeview Yan led, before French Fearless took charge down the back. However, Springwell Thomo is a stout stayer and he reeled in his rival to win by one length, in 29.47 .10s.

Heat 2 - Indeed, Alison Coxon accounted for a first round double in the stake and the first of her trackers to land a blow was Hollywell Flash. 3/1 at the off, the son of Superior Panama and O Mahoney made every post a winner as he bolted from four to put his rivals to the sword. Crossing the line one a half lengths clear of Run For Mary in second, the time was 29.29 .10s.

Heat 3 - The litter double was quickly in the bag in heat three as Hollywell Wolfe went one better than his second place finish last time out. Running from trap four, the 3/1 chance was forced to play second fiddle to Dennys Best early on in this contest, however, took charge down the back before galloping to a comfortable two length victory. Another polished performance for Coxon’s charge, the time was 29.43 .10s.

Heat 4 - There was a trap-to-line success in heat four as Gainstown Choice emerged an emphatic winner for Paul Hogan. Fast Fit Lucky was sent off as the 2/5 favourite on this occasion, however, the was in the bag early as ‘Choice’ bolted from trap three to assert. Setting a powerful gallop thereafter, early trouble saw the son of Grangeview Ten and Ballymacken Boby race to a commanding lead and the 5/2 chance crossed the line with three lengths in hand over Dryland Phoenix in second. The time was 29.13 .10s.

Heat 5 - Just one spot slower in heat five was Kelpie for Margaret Bolton, Scott Bennitt and Kenny McGrogan. Seeking a fourth career success, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Solas An Iarthur was headed by Crokers Captain on the run-up, however, showed terrific track craft to shoot up the inside of her rival entering the back. This proved decisive in sealing victory as thereafter, Kelpie maintained a strong gallop to win by one and a half lengths, in 29.14 .10s.

Heat 6 - Indeed, Margaret Bolton and Kenny McGrogan also secured a quick-fire double with Echo Faith in the penultimate heat. Running from trap four, ‘Faith’ looked in a spot of bother early, however, showed terrific early speed to power past her rivals on the run-up. Holding a healthy advantage into the back, the daughter of Droops Sydney and Sporting Faith wasn’t to be denied thereafter as she accounted for a two and a half length success over Peteles Phantom in second. The time was 29.54 .10s.

Heat 7 - In the concluding heat of the Martin Fahy Memorial, Fantasy Tuppence showed a fantastic turn of pace to make it four career wins for Albert Mullins and the Top-Benefit-Synd. Running from one, ‘Tuppence’ was some way off-the-pace as Nashville led the field entering the back, however, the brindle daughter of Redzer Ardfert made rapid progress down the back in a bid to get back on terms. Now in full throttle on the run for home, Mullins’ charge came home with a real intent to cross the line with a head in hand from Nashville in second. The time was 29.19 .10s.