CLEAN SWEEP FOR MOFO IN GRI GALWAY OAKS
Peter Farrell
After a series of incredible performances in recent weeks, Raha Mofo was all the rage heading into the final of the €6,000 GRI Galway Oaks on Friday night and she certainly didn’t disappoint as she maintained her unbeaten run in the stake with another emphatic display.
Marissa Molloy’s rare talent has been a breath of fresh air since arriving at Galway a fortnight ago and after breaking a 15-year track record in the opening round, Raha Mofo shaved another length off her own record as she posted some scarcely believable figures one week ago. A 2/5 shot in the final as a result of her earlier exploits, the Murt Leahy-trained bitch made no mistakes last night as she comfortably dispatched a top-class field to add the GRI Galway Oaks to her Sporting Press Irish Oaks victory earlier in the year.
A five bitch affair after the withdrawal of Newinn Nifty, who was arguably the most likely to capitalise on any possible upset, Raha Mofo had been flashing from traps at Galway and she was once again swiftly into stride wearing the striped jacket. Magical Poppy and Cashen Miska had also come away smartly from the middle and it looked all to play for approaching the opening corner with space very much at a premium. To the roar of the crowd however, Marissa Molly’s bitch never eased off at the opener as Raha Mofo went through the eye of a needle to emerge a two length leader upon entrance to the back straight. Chased in second at this point by Magical Poppy, the decibel levels at Galway went up a notch midway down the back as Raha Mofo set a blistering gallop into the penultimate turn and it was here were the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Clares Queen pressed home her advantage. Striding out majestically around the bottom two corners, Raha Mofo was home and hosed entering the home straight and she stormed across the winning line to record a famous Oaks double, three and a half lengths clear of Magical Poppy in second. The time was a rapid 28.52.
SKY LANDS RCETS FEATURE
Elsewhere on the card, there were another three finals down for decision and the first of those was the RCETS A3 525.
Ougham Sky was the 7/4 second favourite in the decider just behind Jonny Whiskers at 6/4 and the Luke Kilcoyne-owned bitch produced a carbon copy of her semi final victory. Running from trap one, she was on the ball from the off as she led early on the rail to round the opener in control. Holding a healthy three length advantage down the back, the daughter Ballymac Best and Portumna West was never under any threat of being caught and she crossed the line with a comfortable three and a half lengths in hand over Brioscai Gloire in second. The time was 29.21.
CENTURION LANDS A2 DECIDER
Next on the agenda was the Galway Greyhound Stadium A2 525, boasting a winner’s purse of €900.
The favourite in this contest was Da Centurion at 2/1 and it was the December 20’ whelp who landed the spoils. Owned by the Lucky-Last-Syndicate, Da Centurion won her semi final in fine style and she was once again paw-perfect at traprise to lead from two. Showing a clean pair of heels to her rivals thereafter, the daughter of Definite Opinion and Jumeirah Lolls never eased off as she pulled clear in the closing stages to run out a five length winner over Brickhill Daisy in second. The time was 28.90.
SMOKIE LEADS HOME BALROBUCK 1-2
The final of the Barking Buzz A3 575 was also up for grabs and the €700 finale was landed by the Joe Shaughnessy-owned Balrobuck Smokie, who led home a one-two for the kennel.
Balrobuck Smokie was the outsider of the two ‘Balrobucks’ as he went to traps as a 4/1 chance but he broke well from one to sit in behind the early leader, Crokers Tyson. However, the leader checked at the opener which allowed Balrobuck Smokie to take over and from here, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Be Slow Teresa set a strong gallop. In control around the bottom two bends, Balrobuck Smokie was challenged late on by litter sister and favourite, Balrobuck Dream, but he held on gamely to deny her powerful finish and cross the line with a neck in hand. The time was 31.99.
OTHER NOTABLE RUNS
In race four, the Galway GOBA Bumper Christmas Draw 550, Bumblebee Seamus produced a really likeable display to make-all. A 5/1 outsider of the pack, Paddy Burke’s talented tracker wasn’t hanging around at traps as he bounced out of trap two to take command. Setting a blistering gallop down the back, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Headford Sally had five lengths in hand at this point and he was well able for his talented rivals as he continued to set a powerful gallop to come home one and a half lengths clear of the strong-running Cheero in second. The time was a rapid 29.90 for the 550-yard trip.
Five Alley Elmo was a winner last time out in a brisk 28.74 .10s and he went even quicker in the Crokers Kennels 525 as Paul Hogan’s dog posted a sensational 28.57. Only moderately into stride, Five Alley Elmo showed instant acceleration and determination to squeeze through in front at the opening turn. Setting a flying gallop down the back, Five Alley Elmo was kept honest throughout by Crokers Spirit but he was always holding his rival as he crossed the line with one length to spare. The time, as mentioned, was a red-hot 28.57.