FINALISTS DECIDED IN GALWAY DOUBLE-HEADER

Peter Farrell

The busy period continued at Galway Greyhound Stadium and Saturday saw the semi-finals of both the Martin Fahy Memorial 525 and the Horan Family Syndicate 525.

The Martin Fahy Memorial carries a handsome €3,000 winner’s prize and it was the ladies that took centre stage in both semi-finals, with Charming Ciara producing the quicker of the two victories for Donal Duggan and Tom and Ciara Kelly. A 3/1 chance, ‘Ciara’ had caught the eye when finishing second behind Hanover John last time out, staying on strongly in the closing stages, and there were early signs this could be her night as she broke sharply from trap five to seize control into the opening bend. From there, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Marlay Star always looked in command as she came home a comfortable two-length winner over Ballyea Marshall, who recovered well from early traffic to claim second. Drimeen Jetty secured the final qualifying berth in a time of 29.43.

Earlier, the opening semi-final went the way of Evan McAuliffe’s React Jess (Grangeview Ten - Meduza), who made it back-to-back victories. This proved a particularly messy affair with crowding affecting several runners at the opening bend, but McAuliffe’s charge, sent off at 4/1, recovered admirably to reel in the fancied Deadly Ace in the closing stages before powering clear to score by four and a half lengths. The clock read, with Pierview Big Rob filling the final qualifying spot in third.

NOTHING TO SEPARATE KILTARTAN & ELOISE

Earlier on the card, the semi-finals of the Horan Family Syndicate 525 went down for decision and there was nothing to separate the two winners on the clock, with Kiltartan Chosen and Magical Eloise both returning identical 29.53 performances.

In the opening semi-final, Kiltartan Chosen was installed as the 5/4 favourite after making virtually every yard before being collared late last time out, and the Albert Mullins-trained runner made no mistake on this occasion. Jointly owned by Keith Killilea and Christopher Fennessy, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Millbank Chosen pinged the lids once again and was quickly into his stride, immediately putting his rivals under pressure. Holding a commanding advantage throughout, ‘Kiltartan’ never looked like surrendering the lead as he crossed the line five lengths clear of Trinity Bob, with Brickhill Dolly taking third. The time was 29.53 .20s.

The second semi-final proved a far more dramatic affair, with Magical Eloise just holding off the powerful late challenge of Ozark Magic. Owned by Patrick Guilfoyle, ‘Eloise’ was bidding to shed her maiden tag and went to traps as the 5/2 second favourite behind Rockmount Kismet. Drawn in four, the closely bred daughter of Signet Ace - Burgess Sarah didn’t break too fluently but quickly displayed excellent early pace to track Lady Belfort around the opening bend. Sweeping past her rival entering the back straight, ‘Eloise’ soon opened a four-length advantage and, although the petrol gauge was flickering in the closing stages, she dug deep to repel the fast-finishing Ozark Magic. Poppys Oreo claimed the final qualifying position, with the winner also stopping the clock in 29.53.