McGRATH SUCCESS AS GLORY STRIKES IN GUYS AND DOLLS

Ian Fortune

The McGrath name has been synonymous with success for many decades but it was wonderful to see it back in the limelight at Shelbourne Park on Thursday evening as Race To Glory captured the valuable Guys & Dolls A2 Stake for Mary McGrath. 

Along with her husband, the legendary Colm McGrath, the husband and wife team tasted Derby glory all the way back in 1982 with Cooladine Super, while also putting more of the fastest greyhounds in the history of the sport through their hands over many years.   

Their latest winner is a well-bred son of Malachi and Succession and seems to be improving every time he goes to the track. An August ’23 whelp, he was sent to traps the 2-1 joint favourite and he quickly set out his stall. 

Showing fine early zip, he would soon stride the front, riding a bump on the bend to continue to dictate into the back straight. There were a couple of strong running types on his heels into the third turn but Race To Glory was to live up to his name. 

It’s been clear that he is strengthening up with outing and he dug deep to repel the challenge of Strathrannoch to land the €2,500 winner’s purse by a neck in 28.79. It will be interesting to see where Race To Glory ends up but under the stewardship of Marie Gilbert, it seems very possible he could turn into a talented trackers for his legendary owner, Mary McGrath. 

GOLDCASH FIRES IN DUAL DISTANCE 

Earlier on the card, Goldcash Fire emerged a deserving winner of the RCETS App A4 Dual Distance decider over 575yds when proving too strong for the Francie Murray trained duo of High Sparrow and Decent Proposal. 

The latter actually set a strong pace but cut for the fence in the early yards from trap five, leaving room for Goldcash Fire to get into full stride on the outside of the track. 

The pair had a great battle for much of the way. Goldcash Fire seemed to be getting on top only to swing very wide off the final turn. She quickly recovered, however, staying on really well to emerge a good winner for Frank Harvey and trained Martin Lanney. 

The daughter of Ice On Fire and Paradise Asia would power home to see off the fast-finishing High Sparrow by a length in 31.71.