PENNEY DENIES NIFTY IN PAUL MCKENNA MEMORIAL THRILLER

Peter Farrell

The €1,700-to-the-winner Paul McKenna Memorial A5/A6 525 final at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night lived up to expectations, producing a thrilling contest as Flyers Penney got the better of Magical Be Nifty in a race that gripped from start to finish.

Kindly sponsored by Vincent McKenna, the competition was well supported throughout and concluded with victory for a bitch now boasting seven wins from eight starts.

Trained by Colm Fitzgerald for the Flyers Racing Syndicate, Flyers Penney (6/4)went to traps with strong claims, although it was Magical Be Nifty who headed the market at a clear 4/5 favourite following a series of impressive displays in the earlier rounds, including a sub-29 second effort. Widely viewed as a two-dog contest beforehand, that expectation proved accurate as both runners broke well and immediately took control of proceedings. Magical Be Nifty showed her trademark early pace to lead from trap three, and for a moment it appeared the script would follow market expectations. However, the inside proved crucial, with Flyers Penney driving strongly along the rail to move alongside and then ahead entering the back straight. From there, she held a narrow advantage, though Magical Be Nifty remained a constant threat, keeping the pressure on throughout the middle stages. Turning for home, the favourite made one final effort to reel in her rival, but Flyers Penney, a daughter of Signet Ace and Pennylane Sheba, displayed admirable determination to hold on and secure victory by a length at the line. Ballyhale Evan filled the third spot, while the winning time of 29.14 rounded off a fitting conclusion to another memorable renewal of the Paul McKenna Memorial.

RHINO LEADING THE AVENUE CHARGE

The semi-finals of the Avenue Queen A3 525 also featured on the card, with Hollywell Rhino setting the standard thanks to a superb performance for respected handler Alison Coxon.

Kindly sponsored by Tyrone owner Brian Robinson, the competition comprised two semi-finals, both of which oozed quality, though it was Hollywell Rhino who emerged quickest. Chasing a seventh career success, the 7/4 chance once again underlined his consistency by breaking sharply from trap four to make an immediate impact. Although briefly headed entering the back straight by Laois Lightning in trap one, the son of Kinloch Brae and Hollywell Samba quickly regained control before asserting around the closing bends. From there, he powered clear to score by four and a half lengths from Laois Lightning in a fast 28.87.

Earlier on the card, Jasmine Coco delivered an equally commanding display for Cian Mulrooney and Colm Fitzgerald, the latter rounding off a memorable night. Sent off the 6/4 favourite, she left little doubt about the outcome after a sharp exit from trap five saw her take control from the outset. The daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet and Wishful Ali never looked under threat thereafter, stretching clear to beat Drombeg King by four and a half lengths in 28.91.

CRAFTY QUICKEST IN NOVICE SEMIS

The semi finals of the Galway Unraced ON2/ON3 350 also played out on the card and this saw Crafty Moirai set the standard.

Crafty Moirai was installed as the even money favourite in what was four-dog affair and Peter Divilly’s runner maintained his flawless career start in off-the-pace style. Drawn in three, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Octane Cora was quickly into stride but was tapped for early speed by Omey Fog up the inside. However, after tracking expertly around the bottom two bends the Divilly charge regained control, powering home to claim a three parts of a length success. The time was 19.29.

In the second semi, Cascade Thor (5/4) bounced back from his first career defeat to win in style for John and Jack Browne. Running from six, the strapping son of Dromana Bucko - Cascade Phantom emerged from a level break out wide to power into the opening corner in control.Thereafter, it was a straightforward task for Browne’s runner as he kept on well to the line to hand a two length defeat to Caiselan Mia in second. The time was 19.47.