NOELLES SANTIAGO CLAIMS TIME CLUB DECIDER

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,200-to-the-winner TIME Club A5/A6 525 took centre stage on Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and there was no upset on the agenda as Noelles Santiago powered to a commanding success.

Jointly owned by Noelle and Johnnie Divilly, Noelles Santiago had caught the eye throughout the competition, opening with a solid 29.58 before stepping forward impressively last time out when posting a rapid 28.94. A June whelp, ‘Santiago’ went to traps as the well-backed 4/5 favourite and he fully justified that support, pinging from trap three and proving a cut above his rivals on his way to a third consecutive victory.

Electric in the early yards, Noelles Santiago was initially shadowed by Poppys Oreo into the opening bend, but that challenge was short-lived as the son of Dromana Bucko quickly pressed on to establish a two-length advantage. Within a matter of strides that margin had doubled and, approaching the third bend, he had built up a commanding lead of almost six lengths. From there, the result was beyond doubt and Santiago maintained a relentless gallop to cross the line an emphatic nine-and-a-half lengths clear. Rosshill Point finished strongly, as is his custom, to claim second place, while Drombeg Milo completed the podium in third. The winning time was a smart 29.12 .10s.