DOUBLES FOR DILLON AND MURRAY THE HIGHLIGHT AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

This weekend saw Galway Greyhound Stadium celebrate its 90th anniversary and last night’s card saw several smart performances fitting of the occasion.

One of the highlights on the card were doubles for both Geraldine Dillon and Stephen Murray and it was the Dillon Kennel who got off the mark first as Annadown Badger landed the opener. Running from trap six, the December 20’ daughter of Droopys Cain and Annadown Sky didn’t come away too well from the outside as she occupied a midfield position early on. However, the extra yardage certainly suited this prospect as she picked her way through runners to pounce in the closing stages. Storming to the front late on, Annadown Badger crossed the line with two lengths to spare over Mollrose King in second. The time was 30.68 .20s for the 550-yard trip.

Shortly after, Annadown Loki sealed the double with another strong finish to get up in the shadows of the post. Also donning the striped jacket, the 2/1 chance was headed early doors as Beebees Star showed her rivals a clean pair of paws, however, Annadown Loki was nothing if not game in her quest for a second career win. Stepping it up a notch at the three-quarter mark, the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Rocken Pearl chinned Beebees Star, by a neck, on the line. The time was 29.17 .20s.

MURRAY DOUBLE

Stephen Murray also notched a double on the card and it was Arrowhead who was most impressive as he showed superior stamina to see off Astro Podge in the closing stages. Owned by Kevin Ryan, Arrowhead came away well from six but was headed early doors as Astro Podge, despite drifting wide, headed proceedings at the opener. A two-dog affair thereafter, Arrowhead made his move midway down the back and despite having the door slammed shut at the point, the son of Pat C Sabbath showed good determination to come back for more and claim a half length victory. The time was a fast 29.08 .20s.

In the concluding race of the night, a 350-yard sprint, the double was secured as Inishodriskol maintained her unbeaten career start to make it three wins on the spin. Owned by Mary Grace, Inishodriskol was an even money chance at the off and although narrowly headed by Caislean Ciara on the run to the turn, the daughter of Magical Bale and Donation took charge around the bottom two bends. Nip and tuck on the run to the finishing line, Inishodriskol kept enough in reserve to hold off Caislean Ciara by a head on the line. The time was 19.64 .10s.

SHANNON QUICKEST ON THE CLOCK

Toolate Shannon is a brilliant servant to the Morrissey kennel and the pocket-sized 53-pounder scored a fantastic victory in race two to go quickest on the night.

Owned by Abigail Morrissey, Toolate Shannon (Toolatetosell - Security)was chasing a seventh career win coming into the event and she sat in fourth in the opening yards from trap two as Marleys Star set the pace after a good start from trap four. However, Toolate Shannon is a strong running individual and the 7/2 chance cut through runners like a knife through butter before powering to a convincing victory in the end. Crossing the line with over four lengths in hand, the time was a slick 29.03 .20s.

IN OTHER RACES

The 29-second barrier was broken again in calculated terms in race five as Dixie landed a very competitive affair to record an incredible eleventh victory from twenty-one starts. Owned by Tom Burke, Dixie broke well from three but it was Ceide Prince who held a narrow lead on the run to the bend. However, taking over the second turn was Bumblebee Seamus but Dixie wasn’t to be denied as she once again took charge at the midway point of the contest. A 7/4 market chance, Dixie was to prove too hot to handle thereafter as she stayed on strongly to cross the line three and a half lengths better off than Drombeg Ten in second. The time was 29.08 .20s.