MAGICAL DISPLAY FROM ZORAYA

Peter Farrell

There were just the eight races down for decision on last night’s Galway card but there was a special performance from Magical Zoraya in race two as Sandra Guilfoyle’s March puppy ran out an emphatic winner.

Just a March 21’ whelp, Magical Zoraya had just the two starts under her belt prior to last night but she found herself occupying the bronze position in both as she lined out hoping to taste victory for the first time in race two. Running from trap four, Magical Zoraya was sent off the 1/2 favourite to break her duck and although briefly headed by both Valentia Hunter and Nephin Tommie in the early yards, she quickly coursed around runners to take control entering the back straight. It was a straightforward assignment thereafter for the daughter of Droopys Biker and Sheilas Legacy as she set a frantic gallop down the back, before staying on strongly to score by over eight lengths. A terrific performance from Magical Zoraya, the time was the fastest of the night, 28.91 .20s.

IN OTHER RACES

In race three, the Enda Corcoran-owned Ballygarry Ruby (Superior Panama - Creevy Charm) sealed a sixth career victory as she justified her starting price of 5/4. Trained by Gerard Quigley, Ballygarry Ruby broke smartly from trap one to hold her inside line expertly and that ultimately won her the race as she made every post a winner thereafter. Racing to a comfortable five and three parts of a length victory over Lillies Joy in second, the time was 29.32 .20s.  

There was another decisive winner in race four as Astro Podge made it seven career wins for the Madden-Pepper-Syndicate. Trained by Donal Duggan, Astro Podge came away racing from trap three and although led on the outside by Breaghmore Rob, the inside line once again proved crucial as he held the rails early on. In control down the back, the son of Ballymac Best and Dynamic Cool Sky stayed on well thereafter and he was two and a half lengths clear of Spwingwell Thomo crossing the line. The time was a swift 29.14 .20s.

The quickest return over the two-bend trip was recorded by Anna Be Slick in the concluding race of the night as Hughie Keleghan’s charge doubled her career tally to two wins. An October 20’ daughter of Laughil Blake and Telex Ping, Anna Be Slick went off a 5/2 shot and she outpaced her rivals early on from trap two to take charge on the run to the opener. From here, it was all one-way traffic as she powered clear of her rivals to race to a five and three parts of a length victory. The time was 19.26 .10s.