ON THE LATT BREWS UP PADDY O’GORMAN FINAL SPOT IN STYLE

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the Paddy O’Gorman A3/A4 525 served as the feature on a stacked card at Galway on Friday night and it was On The Latt who stamped his authority on proceedings with a powerful off-the-pace performance in the opening semi-final.

Owned by Gerry O’Donoghue, On The Latt (5/2) had been a convincing winner of his opening-round assignment but faced stiff opposition in the first semi from the likes of Crafty Elegatto and Flyers Swiftly. However, the experienced tracker produced a typically determined display to bring up the twelfth victory of his career. Drawn in five, ‘Latt’ broke well from his wide berth but had no answer early to the superior pace of Flyers Swiftly in trap two, who opened a two-length advantage down the back as On The Latt disputed second with Grangeview Vixen. Turning for home, the Broadstrand Bono – Brickhill Sharon tracker upped the tempo, asked serious questions of the leader at the penultimate bend and surged to the front in full flight on the run-in, winning by half a length. The remaining qualifying spot went to the fast-finishing Crafty Elegatto, just a further length adrift, with the clock stopping at 28.94.

In the second semi-final, Heathlawn Ruby showed similar late-running qualities as she also bided her time before striking late. Jointly owned by Rose and Martin Kelly, Heathlawn Ruby has been ultra-consistent since the summer months and this latest success brought her career tally to seven. The 5/4 favourite Rinnwood Leo disputed the early lead with Lilys Beauty, while Heathlawn Ruby hugged the rail from trap one before producing a telling burst up the inside to split the leaders into the back. Still three lengths adrift rounding the bottom bends, she steadily closed before flying through on the inside as Rinnwood Leo drifted wide, getting up late to score by half a length. Rinnwood Leo took second with Lilys Beauty also advancing, the time 29.08.

MILO SETS THE ‘TIME’ STANDARD

Earlier on the card, the opening round heats of the TIME Club A5/A6 525 got underway and it was Drombeg Milo who set the standard for owner Evan McAuliffe.

Chasing a maiden victory in heat two, Drombeg Milo went to traps as the 7/4 second favourite behind Burkos Breeze. Drawn in four, ‘Milo’ suffered a bump at traprise and again at the opening bend as Burkos Breeze set the early pace. However, the son of Run Happy – Hazelfield Echo showed real strength approaching the penultimate bend, storming past his rival before pulling decisively clear up the hill to score by four lengths in 29.43, a performance that suggested there is plenty more to come.

In another heat, Noelles Santiago made it two wins from just three starts for Noelle and Johnny Divilly. A 2/1 chance, the son of Dromana Bucko – Noelles Camino was slow from trap five as he sought a rails pitch but recovered well into fourth. Once daylight appeared down the back, ‘Santiago’ made rapid headway and wore down Balrobuck Ash close home to score by two lengths in 29.58.

The final heat went to Rosshill Point, who produced a dramatic late rally to claim a third career success. Sent off at 2/1, Joe Long’s charge found himself some twelve lengths adrift at halfway as Glasheen Model enjoyed a commanding lead. However, the leader tired dramatically in the closing stages and Rosshill Point (Grangeview Ten – Dana Point) finished with a flourish to get up on the line by a head in 29.89.

BALLYEA WARRIOR QUICKEST IN CHRISTMAS 350

The semi-finals of the Christmas Party Nights ON2/3 350 also featured on the card, with Ballyea Warrior maintaining his flawless record for Declan McDonagh and Noel Gavin.

A winner on debut in 19.48, the blue went off at 5/4 to complete a quick double. Breaking smartly from trap five, the son of Ballymac Kingdom – Wolfofallstreets led the even-money favourite Drombeg King into the bend and battled strongly up the demanding Galway hill to prevail by one length in 19.28.

The second semi-final was claimed by Flyers Penny, who justified her 4/6 favouritism for Colm Fitzgerald and the Flyers Racing Syndicate. A debut winner in 19.52, Flyers Penny was slowly away from trap one but showed electric early pace along the rails to take command. The daughter of Signet Ace – Pennylane Sheba set a strong gallop from the front and held off the late challenge of Krushing It to score by half a length in 19.61.