LILYS A REAL BEAUTY IN WGOBA OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the WGOBA St. Patricks Weekend A2 525 got underway at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and they were packed with quality as Lilys Beauty set a very high bar.

Hanover Storm was all the rage heading into the opening heat and as such, he was installed as the even money favourite to get back to winning ways. However, Lilys Beauty had other ideas as Tommy Richardson’s experienced tracker produced an outstanding display of front-running. Running from trap three, the 2/1 chance was expertly into stride as he posted a rapid 3.18 sectional and in doing so, he was well on his way to success. Already three lengths in charge rounding the opener, the son of Laughil Blake and Droopys Viola extended his advantage down the back as Drombeg Apollo gave chase in second. It was all in vain for the chasing pack however, as Lilys Beauty comfortably made it eight career wins with a four and a half length victory over Drombeg Apollo in second. The time was a rapid 28.68 .10s.

In heat three, the 29-second barrier was dented again as Annadown Cutie got back to winning ways for Gerry Dillon. The 6/4 second favourite behind Ballyea Buck at evens, the jolly got into trouble in this contest and was neer able to get on terms with the eventual winner. Quickest into stride from trap one, ‘Cutie’ took ownership of the contest early doors as she took a healthy lead into the back. All over bar the shouting, the daughter of Pestana and Headford Laura never relented in crossing the line six and a half lengths clear of the staying on, Ballyea Buck, in second. The time was a swift 28.87 .10s.

The remaining opening round heat was landed by Springwell Eddie as he made it four career wins for owner Gerard O’Dowd. A massive 6/1 in the betting market, the son of Ballymac Bolger was forced to play second fiddle early on as the even money favourite, Nice Master, raced into a commanding lead down the back. However, ‘Eddie’ stuck to his task well as he bridged the gap midway down the back before showing the superior stamina late on to win by two and three parts of a length. A dead-heat for second between Nice Master and Rosshill News, the time was 29.21 .10s.