DRAMA IN SEAN SCULLY MEMORIAL AS MIST IMPRESSES ON DEBUT

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Sean Scully Memorial 525 served as the highlight on last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and the decider looks certain to prove hugely competitive with little to separate the six finalists.

In terms of last night’s semi final action, there was drama in the second semi as the judge was called into action to announce a dead-heat. It was Skid Road Joe (Pat C Sabbath - Meenagh Midget) who set the standard early on from trap one and Owen McDonagh’s charge looked set to record a decisive victory as he was in full control at the halfway mark. However, Bumblebee Sonny (Good News - Bumblebee Queen) had other ideas and despite sitting closer to the rear of the field than the front early on, Paddy Burke’s charge sliced through runners to finish with real gusto. Nothing to separate the early-paced Skid Road Joe and the staying-on Bumblebee Sonny, a dead-heat was called, in a time of 29.40 .10s.

In the opening semi final, 4/1 shot Harrowgatetownbaz built on his strong finish last time out with another display of finishing power to prevail. Jointly owned by Mike and Deborah Carrick, the son of Slippery Robert and Clodaghs Legend looked dead and buried early doors as he sat a bad last rounding the first corner. However, after tracking brilliantly, he nestled onto the rails before making huge improvement down the back to go third. Thereafter, ‘Baz’ continued to motor and he flew up the home straight to record a half length victory over On The Radio in second. The time was 29.60 .10s.

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT FROM MIST

Earlier in the card, there was a most impressive debut from Omey Mist as the June 22’ whelp won at a canter for the Dont-Be-Last-Syndicate.

Having qualified with some lovely marks in her book, the blue-brindle made her intentions clear from the outset with a fast start from trap six. Immediately in possession of a four length lead, the 9/4 chance excelled down the back to double her advantage over Millroad Jazz in second. The lead continued to extend however; and this impressive youngster eventually crossed the line to win by over twelve lengths, in a fine 29.09 .10s.