DIVA DELIVERS ONCE AGAIN AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
Sweepstake action dominated last night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and for the second week running, Foxwood Diva stole the show with an explosive performance in race seven.
Running in the second semi final of the Galway Greyhound Stadium A6 525, Foxwood Diva understandably went to traps as the 4/6 favourite after a fantastic 28.97 .10s last time out but the talented tracker went even quicker last night with an emphatic victory. Owned by Denis McGrath, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Badminton Razl made her intentions clear from the off with a fast start from trap one. Showing a fine turn of early dash, Foxwood Diva shot clear into the back and she soon drew clear of her rivals as she manufactured a healthy advantage. Showing no signs of stopping the closing stages, Foxwood Diva crossed the line a facile nine length winner over Grangeview Bear in second. That’s an aggregate win of over twenty lengths in her last two starts, the time on this occasion was a flying 28.67 .10s.
DUGGAN DOUBLE
In the opening race of the night, there was a lot to like about the performance of Nine Oclock News as he justified his 1/2 status in the betting market. Owned and trained by Donal Duggan, the son of Good News and Turree Kate tasted defeat on his first outing but improved some eight grades as he dismantled his rivals in serious style. Running from trap three, Nine Oclock News broke well from his middle berth and never saw another tail thereafter. Thirteen and a half lengths too good in the end, the time was a slick 29.03 .10s.
Donal Duggan was to seal a double later in the card as Astro Podge landed an A4 525 in trap-to-line fashion. Owned by the Madden-Pepper-Syndicate, Astro Podge was bidding for a ninth career victory and he went to traps a 9/4 chance to seal the deal. Quickest into stride from trap one, the son of Ballymac Best and Dynamic Cool Sky set a good gallop throughout and held on gamely from the fast-finishing Rattling Ya Ya in second. Just one length separating the duo, the time was 29.40 .10s.