BEBETO MAINTAINS UNBEATEN RECORD IN GALWAY SPRINT SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Upcoming Sweepstakes ON2/ON3 350 served as the highlight at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, once again, Noelle Bebeto showed big pace to come out the right side of a judges call.

A huge eye-catcher in the last two rounds, Noelles Bebeto looks like the latest star to emerge from the Divilly kennel. Clocking a rapid 19.19 in the last round, which is an exceptional time around the notoriously slow Galway circuit, James and Noelle Divilly’s charge was expected to prevail, something reflected in his 4/6 starting price. However, he didn’t get everything his own way on this occasion as he fluffed his lines at traprise, giving away valuable yards to the fast-starting Grangeview Tina in three. Showing steady progress from his wide berth in five, the son of Dromana Bucko - Noelles Camino swept around the opening bend to sit three lengths behind Grangeview Tina, but immediately began to eat into the lead around the bottom two bends. Swinging wide off the final bend, it was nip and tuck on the run for home. In the end, ‘Bebeto’ just sealed his hat-trick as he got the nod by a short-head on the line. The time was 19.26 .5s.

BLUEBELL BOUNCES BACK

In the second semi final, Orbsen Bluebell got back to winning ways after suffering her first career defeat last time out. Owned by Tom Kelly, ‘Bluebell’ was somewhat fortunate in this contest as, despite a poor start from four, she found herself in front at the opening bend after traffic ensued for the early leaders. With little to separate Orbsen Bluebell and the favourite Headford Evie, the daughter of Good News - Brickhill Daisy, a 4/1 chance, just held off Headford Evie to win by a half length. The time was 19.44 .5s.

BOBBY BLITZES RIVALS

Outside of the sweepstake action, the performance of the night came from Island Bobby in the A2/A3 525.

Owned by Patrick McDonagh, Island Bobby is a very consistent runner, something underlined by his seven career wins following this success. Drawn in two, the strapping son of Coolavanny Hoffa - Atealive took no prisoners early on as he pinged the lids to record a blistering 3.19 sectional. In doing so, the May ’23 whelp made every post a winner, marching on to score by two and a half lengths over Hanover Storm in second. The time was 28.96 .10s, a brilliant run on the night.