TOP CLASS ACTION AT GALWAY AS BENJI & GLOIRE IMPRESS MOST
Peter Farrell
There were some fine performances at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and the pick of those came from Magical Benji and Brioscai Gloire as both greyhounds produced brilliant performances to win their respective contests.
Trained by Pat Guilfoyle, Magical Benji was a warm order in race five and he was installed the 4/6 favourite to land a fourth career success. Running from trap four, the son of Confident Rankin and Magical Zeta meant business from the off as, despite not breaking all too well, he showed brilliant early gears from trap four to accelerate into the opening corner in control. Setting a powerful gallop down the back, Magical Benji maintained a healthy advantage throughout and he came home two and a half lengths clear of Springlake Lad in second. The time was a very smart 30.02 .20s.
GLOIRE TAKES CHARGE OF COLIN BARRY MEMORIAL
Also down the decision on the night were the two semi finals of the Colin Barry Memorial Novice 350 and Brioscai Gloire justified his 1/3 starting price with a dominant display.
Owned by Notions-Fifteen-Syndicate and trained by John Browne, Brioscai Gloire was a fine opening round winner in 19.10 and it didn't take long for him to take control as the white jacketed runner powered to the front in the opening exchanges. Showing sizzling early gears, the son of Droopys Jet and Paper Doll drew clear of the field and he powered up the Galway straight to win by a brilliant nine lengths. The time was 19.10 .10s.
In the second semi final, Burnpark Blue was expected to take some beating but he was turned over by Beebees Star as the October 20’ bitch scored in style.
Owned by Tommy Skeffington, Beebees Star went to traps as a 2/1 chance but she outpaced her rivals from trap four to hold a commanding lead early doors. Tracking well around the bottom two bends, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Absolutely Ace crossed the line with three and a half lengths to spare over Burnpark Blue in second. The time was 19.24 .10s.
HONK NARROWLY QUICKEST
The semi finals of the WGOBA Members Tri Distance A3/A4 550 also featured on last night’s ten race card and Honkwhenyouhome went narrowly quickest in the second semi.
Trained by Paul Burke for the Chasing Tail-syndicate, Honkwhenyouhome was chasing a first career win but the June whelp trapped much better last night wearing the striped jacket to pace into the opening corner in control. From here, the son of Skywalker Farloe and Dee Dee You made every post a winner as he galloped to a two and a half length win over Curraghmorestar in second. The time was 30.41 .20s.
In the opening semi final, Crokers Harbour upset the odds to score for owner John Croker. A 2/1 shot at the off, the heavyweight son of Droopys Buick and Nushkas Top Gal has developed a brilliant record in his short racing career and he took over rounding the opening turn in his hunt for a fourth career victory. Setting a good gallop down the back, Crokers Harbour came home two lengths better off than Knoppogue Time, in a time of 30.42 .20s.
IN OTHER RACES
In race one, Abigails Hope turned over the 4/6 favourite Three Canons with a make-all victory for Abigail Morrissey. Drawn in trap three, the 60-pounder had qualified in nicely and she was swiftly into stride to lead the field into the opening corner. Setting a fine gallop down the back, the daughter of Premier Fantasy and Geelo Lu Lu, a 3/1 chance, came home two lengths better off than Three Canons in second. The time was a good 29.20 .20s.
In race three, Blue Puma made it back-to-back victories for owner Gabriel Carey. Running from trap four, Blue Puma was forced to play second fiddle behind Pinnacle Rio early on but took control on the approach to the penultimate turn. Storming clear thereafter, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Trionas Tune, a 5/2 shot, stayed on well to see off another strong finisher in the form of Abigails Mystery. One and a half lengths in it at the line, the time was 29.21 .20s.
Larchill Port had been plying his trade at Limerick in recent weeks but he made a winning return to Galway in race four as he justified his 6/4 starting price. Owned by Michael Donohue, Larchill Port turned this 550-yard contest into a procession from the outset as he outpaced his rivals to the opening corner from trap six. Drawing clear thereafter, the son of Ballymac Best and Port West Pop raced to a ten length victory as he posted a brisk 30.27 .20s.