HONEY SWEET IN CONNECT SIX DECIDER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The final of the €2,000 to the winner Connect Six A7-A10 525 was the highlight on last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was Springwell Honey who made every yard to land the handsome prize.

Owned by Gerard O’Dowd, Springwell Honey (Ballymac Bolger - Springwell Mouse) was a 2/1 shot prior to the off and she was first to show from trap six as she displayed a lovely turn of early dash to lead the 4/5 favourite, Fantasy Penny, into the opening bend. Sweeping the opening turn in front, it very much became a two-dog affair between Springwell Honey and Fantasy Penny and there was little over one length to separate the pair midway down the back. Fantasy Penny was beginning to wind up her challenge at this point and she went for a daring run up the inside at the penultimate turn, however, the door was slammed shut by Springwell Honey who continued to dictate. This contest still up in the air, Fantasy Penny came back for more in the latter stages but Springwell Honey kept just enough in reserve to repel the challenge and cross the line with a half length in hand. The time for O’Dowd’s charge was 29.05 .10s.

GREAT BLUE SHARK/WGOBA TRI-DISTANCE SEMIS

The semi finals of the Great Blue Shark / WGOBA Tri-Distance A2/A3 were also down for decision on the night Knoppogue Time went narrowly quickest over the 550-yard leg.

Trained by Gerry Dillon for Larry Kelleghan, Knoppogue Time was a generous 5/1 shot in the betting market prior to the off and he broke well from trap six to sit closely in behind Balrobuck Smokie on the approach to the opener. A close enough if good enough third down the back, the son of Skywalker Rafa and Notimetotalk struck late on the outside as he relished every inch of the 550-yard trip to win by a neck from Balrobuck Smokie in second. The time was 30.46 .10s.

The second semi final was landed by Pats Angela, who recorded a sixth career victory, for owner Michael Keating. The fawn daughter of Ballymac Best and Colorado Josie was quickly into stride to lead Hyde Park early on and she held a slender lead down the back straight as Hyde Park proved a constant threat in second. However, Pats Angela is as game as they come and tracked brilliantly around the bottom two bends before staying on strongly to secure a one and three parts of a length victory over Call Me Quick in second. The time was 30.57 .10s.

IN OTHER RACES

Stephen Murray enjoyed a treble at Galway last weekend and he was on double form last night again as Derra Bear got the ball rolling in race one. A 3/1 betting chance, the heavyweight son of Droopys Sydney and Astro Abby was led early doors by Turree Treaty in trap five. However, after staying handy throughout, Derra Bear pounced late on to reel in the longtime leader and win by a neck. The time was 29.72 .10s. The double was completed in race four as Knockdrum Ripper won in really impressive fashion. Jointly owned by Paddy and John Collins, the 6/4 joint favourite drifted wide from trap one early on but soon took control rounding the opener from Bobtailbuttercup in second. Setting a powerful gallop down the back, the litter brother of Derra Bear was never under any pressure thereafter as he stormed up the Galway straight to win by two and three parts of a length from Donies Wood in second. The time was a slick 28.97 .10s.

Promises To Keep went quickest over the two-bend trip in race five as she recorded a second career victory for the Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate. Running from trap four, the 2/1 chance emerged from a level break to show the superior early gears upon approach to the opening corner. From here, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Cantcallherthat was always in command as she powered home to record a two and three parts of a length victory over Seomra Barney in second. The time was 19.00 .5s.

Waggy Finger was a wide-margin winner of race six as she justified his even money price tag for Shane Divilly. Only a November 21’ whelp, the daughter of Good News and Cockyorconfident had some lovely qualifying efforts in her book and she broke well to sit a close second in behind Lissatouk Peggy. Storming to the front midway down the back, Waggy Finger showed real class as she drew clear of the field thereafter to record a six and a half length victory over Lissatouk Peggy in second. The time was 29.12 .10s.

The other scorer from last night came in race eight as the ever-consistent Abigails Hope recorded a brilliant eighth career victory. Owned by Abigal Morrissey, the daughter of Premier Fantasy and Geelo Lu Lu sat third early on as Joeys Champ led the way in the white jacket. Both Joeys Champ and Blue Matilda were allowed to battle it out down the back as Abigails Hope bided her time in behind upon approach to the penultimate bend. It was here however, where she made her move. Maneuvering brilliantly between the leading pair, Abigails Hope stormed up the Galway straight and she powered across the line to win by one and a half lengths from Blue Matilda in second. The time was fast 29.02 .10s.