RECORD BREAKING NIGHT FOR MATTHEWS AS GRANNY STAYS PERFECT
Peter Farrell
Outside of the Oaks action at Lifford, there were some outstanding performances on the undercard, none more so than that of Unassuming as she broke an eighteen-year-old track record.
The Christy Gillespie Memorial AA0 525 provided the stage for Unassuming, who had been among the leading fancies for the Oaks before a luckless campaign ended in the semi-finals. Returning for the €1,500-to-the-winner one-off contest, the Brendan Matthews runner made no mistake as she came out the right side of a thrilling buckle with Daleroad Magic. Fast away from a plum draw in red, Unassuming was joined early by Daleroad Magic, who showed huge pace to seize the initiative entering the back straight. With a length separating the pair, Unassuming upped the ante around the bottom two bends and, as Daleroad Magic steered a wide course around the final turn, the choicely bred daughter of Koblenz – Unlock Unlock powered up the Lifford hill to settle the contest in style. Crossing the line three lengths clear of Drumdoit Audrey, who also finished strongly to run a fine race in second, Unassuming clocked a sensational 28.21, shaving four spots off Rough Laura’s 2008 track record.
GRANNY LANDS NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES DECIDER
Indeed, it proved a successful night for the Matthews kennel as Green Me Granny landed the final of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A2/A3 525 in tremendous style.
With €2,000 on offer to the winner, Green Me Granny went into the decider defending an unbeaten record of four wins from as many starts. Well drawn in three, the strapping eighty-three-pounder had been sluggish into stride in the earlier rounds but put everything together when it mattered, flying from traps to post a rapid 2.59 sectional. From there, the son of Ballymac Cashout – Ougham Sky quickly put the result beyond doubt, showcasing his blistering back-straight pace before powering home nine lengths clear in a brilliant 28.47. Still only an April ’25 pup, Green Me Granny looks an exciting prospect for 2027 on the evidence of this commanding display.
*****
MAGICAL DOUBLE
Elsewhere on the undercard, there was no shortage of brilliant performances and, while Pat Guilfoyle had to settle for the runner-up position in the main event, he recorded an impressive double courtesy of Magical Jet and Magical Marty.
It was Magical Jet who struck first as he gained compensation for an unlucky defeat seven days earlier. Drawn in three, the son of Droopys Jet – Magical Poppy made no mistake at traprise this time, breaking best of all to take an early lead. Ballymac Whistle caught the eye in defeat, but Magical Jet (7/4) proved too hot to handle as he powered to a five-and-a-half-length victory in a rapid 28.31. Shortly after, Magical Marty completed the double with a blistering 17.22 over the 325-yard trip. Despite a moderate start from six, the son of Ballymac Cashout – Magical Mary quickly moved through the gears to outpace his rivals and sweep to the front. From there, the result was never in doubt as the 9/4 chance drew clear to beat De Bull by three and a half lengths.