1XBET & MERLIN BAR ACTIONS PROVED VERY COMPETITIVE ON GALWAY UNDERCARD

Peter Farrell

The supporting card at Galway also produced plenty of competitive action as the opening round heats of the €5,000-to-the-winner 1XBet Tour Series A3 525 and the semi-finals of the Merlin Bar A2/A3 525 Bitch Stake were decided.

The 1XBet Tour Series took centre stage first and, of the three heats, Gealltanas Jack set the early standard for the Feel-Good-Racing-Syndicate. Arriving with some solid Thurles form to his name, the March ’24 whelp clearly relished the Connacht circuit as he emerged a comfortable winner of the second heat. Sent to traps as a 9/4 chance, ‘Jack’ broke on terms from trap one before showing good pace to edge around in front of the even-money favourite Kirk Michael at the opening bend. From there, the result never looked in doubt. Kirk Michael had no answer to Gealltanas Jack down the back straight and the son of Black Parachute – Gealltanas quickly moved into a two-and-a-half-length lead approaching the three-quarter mark. Growing stronger with every stride, ‘Jack’ powered clear in the closing stages to cross the line five lengths ahead of the staying-on Hollywell Raptor in second. The winning time was 29.22 .10s.

KING STRIKES LATE

The opening heat went the way of Drombeg King, who doubled his career tally as Evan McAuliffe’s runner got up late to come out on the right side of a judge’s call.

Drawn in trap one, Drombeg King was only moderately into stride from his inside berth but benefited from some crowding at the opening bend to slip through into second entering the back straight. At that stage, the even-money favourite Amorim was setting a strong gallop out in front and looked the likely winner approaching the closing stages. However, Drombeg King was steadily closing entering the home straight and the son of King Sheeran – Blastoff Kat produced a strong late surge in the final 25 yards. He got up close home to deny the gallant Amorim by a neck in 29.32 .10s.

STRONG BUGLE

The concluding heat saw Droopys Bugle make it three wins on the bounce for owner Lorcan O’Reilly.

Stepping up in trip after two impressive sprint victories at Newbridge and Shelbourne respectively, Droopys Bugle was sent to traps as a 2/1 chance, while Hudson was installed as the even-money favourite following a pair of flawless performances at Dundalk. However, Droopys Bugle gained first run on his rival and that proved decisive. Wearing the red jacket, the son of Serene Ace – Droopys Berry skipped into a two-length lead down the back straight. Hudson appeared a potential threat approaching the midway point, but his stamina was tested in the closing stages as Droopys Bugle maintained his advantage and pulled clear to win by a length and a half. The time was 29.54 .10s.

SHEEZATWISTER, AVENUE QUEEN LAND MERLIN BAR SEMIS

The semi-finals of the Merlin Bar A2/A3 Bitch Stake followed and, once again, Avenue Queen produced a terrific performance to underline her credentials ahead of next week’s final.

Arriving from Co. Tyrone, Avenue Queen took to the Galway circuit like a duck to water when scoring last weekend and she was duly installed as the even-money favourite to make it back-to-back victories. Owned by Brian Robinson, who is no stranger to producing high-class greyhounds, ‘Queen’ was only moderately away from trap one but showed good track craft to slip through into third as Jennie On Faya shot to the early lead. The complexion of the race changed dramatically approaching the halfway point as Avenue Queen surged up the inside to seize the initiative rounding the penultimate bend. From there, the strong-staying daughter of King Elvis – Avenue Ana asserted in fine style, powering clear of her rivals to cross the line with five lengths to spare. Burnpark Class finished second with Jasmine Coco taking the final qualifying spot in third. The winning time was 29.21 .10s.

While Avenue Queen was hugely impressive in the second semi-final, the quickest performance came in the opening semi where the Corona Ryan-trained Sheezatwister set the standard.

Owned by John Edwards, Sheezatwister is well known for her electric early pace and that was very much in evidence as the 7/4 chance burst from trap four to seize the early initiative. Displaying her customary acceleration, the well-bred daughter of Magical Bale – Swanley Chick quickly established a three-length advantage heading down the back straight, although the strong-running Hanover Mellie emerged as the principal threat in second. Any lingering stamina concerns were firmly put to rest in the closing stages as Sheezatwister stayed on strongly to secure a commanding two-and-a-half-length success in 29.10 .10s. The remaining qualifying position went to Hanover Luna, ensuring that Leeanne Fleming will be double-handed heading into next weekend’s final.

The trap draw for the final of the Merlin Bar A2/A3 Bitch 525 was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - BURNPARK CLASS

T2 - AVENUE QUEEN

T3 - HANOVER LUNA

T4 - SHEEZATWISTER

T5 - JASMINE COCO

T6 - HANOVER MELLIE