ALL ABOUT APOLLO IN WGOBA SEMIS AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the WGOBA St. Patricks Weekend 525 served as the highlight on last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was Drombeg Apollo who bounced back from defeat to win in brilliant fashion.

Owned by Evan McAuliffe, who is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure at Galway, Drombeg Apollo was an eye-catcher in defeat to Lilys Beauty last time out but he was to bounce back emphatically to justify his starting price of 6/4 favourite. At traprise, it was Drombeg Apollo in three and Hanover Storm in six who disputed early on, however, the inside line proved crucial in ‘Apollo’ rounding with a healthy advantage. Stretching clear down the back, the son of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Vicie proved too hot to handle for his rivals thereafter and he never relented in running out a five and a half length winner over the staying-on Rosshill News in second. Hanover Storm claiming third, the time was a red-hot 28.70 .10s.

The second semi final was landed in off-the-pace fashion by Annadown Cutie for owner and trainer, Gerry Dillon.

Installed as the 6/4 jolly, Annadown Cutie won her last outing in a fine 28.87, however, she looked in a spot of trouble early on as Nice Master led the way for Matthew Harte. Some four lengths off-the-pace heading into the back straight, Annadown Cutie wore down the leader as the race progressed and the daughter of Pestana and Headford Laura finally hit the front in the final 25-yards. Staying on to score by one length from Nice Master, the time was 29.03 .10s as Cloonturk Bruno secured the third qualifying position,