SHOCKS APLENTY IN BOYLE SPORTS LIFFORD OAKS SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks 525 took centre stage at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and there was no shortage of drama as Berry On Faya and Ballymac Jetaway produced superb performances to land their respective semis.

Indeed, there were shocks aplenty in the two semi-finals as outright favourite Droopys Crispy and the quickest performer from the opening round, Drumdoit Audrey, both bowed out of the competition. In contrast, it was Ballymac Jetaway who caused the biggest upset of the night, defying odds of 10/1 to land the opening semi-final, while Berry On Faya produced a power-packed finish to reel in Magical Be Nifty in the second. All told, it sets up a fascinating finale in six days’ time, with six talented finalists now set to battle it out for the €15,000 winner’s prize.

JETAWAY TAKES OFF

Ballymac Jetaway was the surprise package in the opening semi-final, producing a terrific performance for Rebecca Porter and Alan Byrne as the 10/1 chance took full advantage of a below-par start from outright favourite Droopys Crispy. Installed at odds of 8/11, the latter failed to break in her customary flying fashion from trap three and subsequent crowding at the opener ultimately put paid to her chances. In contrast, it was local runners Drveen Lass and Ballymac Jetaway who broke best of all, with the former posting a rapid 2.63 sectional to take command entering the back straight. It was all to play for at the halfway mark as Ballymac Jetaway began to close on the leader, while both Cosmic Dancer and Gealltanas Grace were also catching the eye approaching the penultimate bend. It was here that Ballymac Jetaway made her move, showing fine trackcraft to sweep up the inside of Drveen Lass and take command around the bottom two bends. Scraping the paintwork to maintain her advantage, the daughter of Ballymac Best – Ballymac Merkle still had plenty to do as Gealltanas Grace produced a powerful late surge, taking the scenic route home from trap six. However, Ballymac Jetaway wasn't to be denied, fending off the late challenge of 'Grace' to seal a superb victory in 28.84 (.20s). Meanwhile, Drveen Lass once again outran her odds to claim the all-important third qualifying spot, ensuring two local runners will feature in next weekend's finale.

BERRY TAKES AIM

The second semi-final saw Berry On Faya produce a terrific late surge to deny Magical Be Nifty and seal a place in next weekend's €15,000 decider for Peter and Cian Mulrooney.

Pat Guilfoyle was double-handed with Magical Fiona and Magical Be Nifty, and it was the latter who flew from trap two, posting a rapid 2.59 sectional to lead comfortably on the run-up from Berry On Faya and Droopys Mezza. With traffic developing out wide at the opener, hampering both Unassuming and Drumdoit Audrey, the leading trio skipped clear into the back straight, with 'Nifty' setting a strong gallop out in front. Indeed, the Galway Oaks champion looked destined to maintain her unbeaten record in the competition, however, Berry On Faya was beginning to make serious inroads approaching the penultimate bend and, given her performance seven days earlier, was emerging as a major threat. Trained by Murt Leahy, the 11/2 chance has certainly taken a liking to the demanding Lifford circuit and, with the hill playing perfectly to her strengths, 'Berry' stormed up the home straight to collar Magical Be Nifty close home, sealing a superb half-length victory in a rapid 28.65 (.20s). Magical Be Nifty lost little in defeat and duly claimed second, while kennel companion Magical Fiona secured the remaining qualifying position to give Pat Guilfoyle two representatives in next weekend's finale.

The draw for the final of the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - BERRY ON FAYA

T2 - BALLYMAC JETAWAY

T3 - MAGICAL BE NIFTY

T4 - MAGICAL FIONA

T5 - DRVEEN LASS

T6 - GEALLTANAS GRACE (W)

*****

NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES SEMI FINALS

On the supporting card, the semi-finals of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A2/A3 525 went down for decision, and it was Roanna Ranger who set the standard with a commanding display for Sean Maxwell.

An eye-catcher in defeat seven days earlier, Roanna Ranger made no mistake on this occasion, showing brilliant early speed from trap five to storm past On The Wire on the run-up. In command thereafter, the son of Pestana – Sunline steered a wide course throughout, but this mattered little as he effectively ran a solo, crossing the line six lengths clear of On The Wire in second. The winning time was a rapid 28.75 (.20s).

The second semi-final saw Green Me Granny maintain his unbeaten record, making it four wins from as many starts for Brendan and Plunkett Matthews. A change of seed saw the son of Ballymac Cashout – Ougham Sky occupy the red jacket, however, he missed his break and drifted towards the middle of the track on the approach to the opening bend. With plenty to do entering the back straight, the strapping blue began to turn the screw, breezing past his rivals to take command approaching the penultimate bend. In full control thereafter, 'Granny' stayed on strongly to emerge a three-and-a-half-length winner over Old Fort Jingo in 29.25 (.20s).

The third semi-final produced another powerful finish as Gettin Tipsy built on his eye-catching opening-round effort to land the spoils for owner Darren McAleer. Quickest into stride, 'Tipsy' was soon headed by Reenaderry Ellie, who showed superior early speed from trap one to take command along the rails. However, the writing was on the wall down the back straight as Gettin Tipsy began to make serious inroads, and he duly swept to the front around the bottom two bends. In full throttle thereafter, the son of Good News – Noeleens Double stayed on strongly to cross the line two and a half lengths clear of Drumnafern Balor in a smart 28.91 (.20s).

*****

SAMBA & SUBLIME STAR IN OPENS

In other races, there was an impressive performance from Velvet Samba (9/2) in the Open sprint as he recorded his seventh career victory for Derry owner Sean Melly. Drawn in six, 'Samba' was part of a tightly knit pack approaching the opening bend, however, he avoided the worst of the traffic to swoop into the lead. In doing so, the son of Glengar Bale – Velvet Spring quickly opened a commanding advantage and flew up the home straight to cross the line five and a half lengths clear of De Bull in second. The winning time was a blistering 17.41 (.10s).

The Open 525 saw opinion split in the betting, however, Ashleen Sublime (5/1) lived up to her name as she produced a brilliant performance for the Feel-Good-Racing-Syndicate. Drawn in trap two, the Thurles raider was quickly into stride, posting a rapid 2.59 sectional on the run to the opening bend. As a result, the daughter of Head Bound – Myas Friend took command and, although Magical Jet kept her honest throughout, 'Sublime' relished the demanding Lifford hill to cross the line a length and a half clear of her rival. The winning time was a sizzling 28.69 (.20s).