THE Mullagh-owned Mall Brandy ran the race of his life to set up a new track record for the 350 yards at the Galway Greyhound Racing Stadium on Friday night.

Trained by Martin Fahy for Michael Casey, Mall Brandy was sent off the 6/4 favourite from trap six for the 350-yard trip. In the early stages, it was stride for stride between the new track record holder and the Gort-owned Fast Fit Dan as they raced to the opening bend. However, as they came nearer the bend, Mall Brandy suddenly changed gears to set a blistering pace for the rest of the race and come home in a brilliant 18.62 with eight lengths to spare. The old record for the sprint was 18.68, which was posted by Hurry Back in August 2011.

Mall Brandy certainly recorded his first win in four starts and first trip over 350 yards in great style. A December 2010 son of Head Bound-Paradise Alanna, he is a litter brother of  Paradise Madison, the Shelbourne Park sensation and 525-yard record-breaker jointly owned and bred by Sean Meade, Annagh, Miltown Malbay. Finishing behind Mall Brandy on Saturday night was Fast Fit Dan, owned by John Quinn. Third place went to Bunnow Glory, owned by Sean J Heeney and Patrick Cronin, Ennis.

On a night in which there were six Clare successes, the John McDonagh-trained and Tuam-owned Tyrur Latoya (Kinloch Brae-Tyrur Liz) won the feature race of the night, an open A0/A1 graded 550, from Smithstown Paddy, trained by Donie Duggan for Sean McAllen, Shannon. The winnner showed great early pace to lead at the first bend from Glass of Guinness and the Killaloe-owned Dick’s Worldbound. Glass of Guinness edged to the front for a short-lived lead down the back but Tyrur Latoya came good again to win the race by two and a quarter lengths in 30.21 from Smithstown Paddy, with the Ballinasloe-owned Glass of Guinness taking third place.

Mullagh was also put on the map by Noel Moroney, whose Tiermana Cross (Head Bound-Tiermana Hawk) was first to cross the line in an A2 graded 525. Moving off as 6/4 favourite from trap five, the winner showed great early foot to lead by three lengths at the opening bend. Tiermana was still in control down the back but the chasing pack started to close in from the home bend. In the tremendously exciting finish, Tiermana Cross held out to win by a head in 29.18 from Drumhill Mist. It was just a short head back to the third-placed Tyrur Sonia.

Gort trainer, Maurice Mullaney, had the first winner of the night, Swift Milo, in an A5 graded 525. Railing very well at the first bend, the Lettermore-owned brindled took over from Castlegar Lass. The son of Van’s Escalade-Swift Blitz extended his lead to five lengths down the back and went on to take the race by two lengths in 29.12 from Castlegar Lass. Third place went to Snuggie Breeze (Myles Cummins, Newmarket-on-Fergus).

Race two, an A7 graded 525, brought the first of the Clare wins, Winword Express, beating all for owner, Thomas Hehir, Inagh. Small Craggy and then Glencrue Breeze set the pace, the last named going clear by three lengths. From the third bend, the Cyril Hehir-trained Winword Express started making up lost ground and a short distance from home, the son of Hondo Black-Youllbesolucky came out on top to win by two and a quarter lengths from Glencrue Breeze. The time was 30.03.

After being runner-up in his last two outings, Inagh Star went a step better on this ocasion when winning an S5 graded sprint for Inagh owners, Michael McGuane and Noel Hehir. Tyrur Potter got the better of Glamorous Jade in the run to the bend but the leader went wide at the bend and Glamorous Jade was on terms as they were turning for home. However, in the run home, Inagh Star (Shaneboy Lee-Inagh Spice) came bursting through the front runners to take the lead and win by two and a half lengths in 19.43 and score another win for the Inagh contingent.

Newmarket-on-Fergus owner, Breda Casey, got her name among the list of Clare winners as a result of her Snuggie Blu taking the fifth race on the card, an A5 graded 525. As they neared halfway, it was a race between Snuggie Blu in trap two, Castlegar Ranger in six and Cobblestone Joe in three. Snuggie Blue had the advantage at this stage and while Cobblestone Joe tried to come on terms over the last two bends, Snuggie Blu held out well to score a four-length win in 29.30.

Third placed in an A4 graded 525 was Buddha’s Boy owned by Rian and Christian Cummins, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

There was an all-Clare finish to an A3 graded 550 won by Mine Rocket (Hades Rocket-Classical Moment) owned by Frank Browne, Quin. The order was Feed Me Cherrys (trap two), Mine Rocket (trap three) and Lyleview Lee (trap six) in the long run to the first bend. Feed Me Cherrys just shaded it at the bend and was a length to the good down the back but Mine Rocket came through by the rail at the third bend to lead the way home and win by a length and three-quarters in 30.55 from Feed Me Cherrys, owned by Kim Knell, Mountshannon. Beaten by a head into third place was the Michael Downes-trained Ascot Ace, owned by his wife, Janet Downes, Cloonfadda, Killaloe.

After winning the first race, Gort trainer Maurice Mullaney, Castletown, had to wait until the final race of the night for the second part of his double. It was achieved through Loughan Lad, which he trains for Michelle Mullaney, Tullamore, winning the A3 graded 525. Tyrur Maggie in five was first to show and led the way from Loughan Lad in two. By halfway, Loughan Lad had reduced the lead from two lengths to one and then proceeded to take the lead. Rounding the third bend, the son of Droopy’s Scolari-Bua Gorm had moved into a two-length lead and at the line was a three-and-a-quarter-length winner from Tyrur Maggie. The time was a fast 28.98.

 

Mol flies the Clare flag

THE West Clare connections of Glynnscross Mol were the only Clare owners to visit the winners’ parade ring in Galway on Thursday night.

Owned in Kilmihil by Niamh and Orla Keane, the daughter of Droopy’s Maldini-Glynnscross Scot had a trap-five draw for an A7 graded 525 and while well away with She’s All Chalk in trap four, she was a length behind when negotiating the opening bend. However, she made her move down the back to take over in front from the trap-four runner, was in control as they made their way from the back and ran on well for a well-deserved 29.23 win, beating She’s All Chalk by six and three parts of a length.

The County Longford-owned Wagtail Topsy (Crash-Pepsi Tops) had the fastest clock of the night when winning the opening contest, an A4/A5 graded 525 in 29.17 from Clogher Mike with Wood Pistol (Art Maguire, Kilrush and Tom Cambridge) in third place.

Gort owner-trainer, John Quinn also had a winner on the night. His Fast Fit Cath (Crash-Spiorad Cath) made all the running to win an A8 graded 525 with a clock of 29.50 and by eight lengths from reserve runner, Corgrigg Honey, owned by West Clare native, Declan Browne.

Killdoo Lady, owned by Gerry Moloney, Doora and Donal Cooney in East Clare, led down the back in an A7 graded 525. However, racing to the third bend, she was joined by Clogher Lady, who moved to the front over the final two bends to win the race by nearly four lengths in 29.42 for Vincent Mahon, Claremorris. Killdoo Lady took the runner-up spot.

In an N1 graded sprint for novices, Sugar Hawk, owned by the MADJ syndicate from Cree, came to within a length of the leader Ashgrove Maeve, when rounding the first bend. However, after bumping between Sugar Hawk and Dilly Katie on the home turn, the advantage was with Ashgrove Maeve (Ballymac Maeve-BoiDel) who went on to win by a length and a quarter in 19.74 from Sugar Hawk.

Third home in an S6 graded sprint was JJ O’Dea’s Derrylough Boy. The 20.05 winner was Hughie Keleghan’s Righteous Anger.

Another fine win for Ballymac Juice

THE combination of trainer, Stephen Murray, and owners, members of the X In Bed syndicate from Feakle, excelled in Galway on Saturday night when winning the top-graded race of the night with their Ballymac Juice.

The A2 graded race was the last of the night and with a very lively break from trap two, Ballymac Juice was on her way for another visit to the winners’ arena. The daughter of Black Shaw-Coolavanny Minor had swept into a three-length lead by the second bend and continued to dominate with the help of some superb railing.

Nearer home, the trap-four runner, Lizzie, cut the lead somewhat but there was no denying Ballymac Juice, who had an advantage of three-and-a -quarter lengths as she crossed the line with a 29.06 clock for her fourth career win and second on the trot. Lizzie was runner-up and two lengths back for third spot was Cragataska Flash, owned by Kay Lynch, Quin.

The first two races on the cards went to Clare owners. The opening contest, an A5 graded 525, was secured by Confused Bigbang owned by Gerry Manly, Cratloe. A trap-to-line winner, the son of Barefoot Bolt-Penny’s Shelly led Knockdine Dazl from the start and extended his lead by five lengths down the back. However, the lead started to dwindle from the third bend and at the line, it was Confused Bigbang by just half a length from the even-money favourite, Gowerhass Cause, owned in West Clare by Michael and Mary Liddane, Gowerhass. The time was 29.25. Third place fell to Knockdine Dazl, owned in Miltown Malbay by Helen O’Brien.

Mullagh owner, Michael Casey, whose Mall Brandy ran a record-breaking 18.62 the previous night, was on board again, this time with Mall Happy in an S9 graded sprint. In his first race, the son of Westmead Diver-Cottage Pearl disputed the early lead with Jumeirah Bow in trap one and Glenrock Rebel in third place. When rounding the bend, the last named dog went very wide, carrying the front runners with him and as they straightened up for home, there was little between Mall Happy, Jumeirah Rebel and Smurfington Jay. The judges signalled Mall Happy winning by a head in 19.95 from Smurfington Jay, with Jumeirah Bow a half length back for third place.

Winifred McDonagh’s Tyrur Winnie (Tyrur Kenny-Tyrur Kitten) made all the running in an S5 graded race to beat the Clare-owned Mister Oh (Sinéad Coughlan) by a length in 19.45.

It was tight for most of the way between Cabriol Prancer and the Quin-owned Mine Velvet in an S4 graded sprint but as they swung for home, Prancer moved a half-length ahead and by the line had an advantage of a length and three-quarters on the West Clare-owned Spot The Move (Michael and Cathal Meaney), who was the runner-up. The time was 19.29. Beaten by a neck into third place was Ring Twice, owned by Jimmy Normoyle, Doonbeg.

The Athenry-owned Jumeirah Duke made all the running in an A6 graded 525 and came home a four-and-a-quarter-length winner in 29.14 from Knoppogue Care, owned and trained by Donie Duggan from near Tulla. Pal Ruso took third place for Inagh owner, Colie O’Loughlin.

Clare qualifiers in Golden Muzzle

FIRST-round heats of the €12,000 Greyhound and Petworld Golden Muzzle Open 550 got underway at the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium last Saturday night. A qualifier for the second round is Droopy’s Banner trained by Pat Guilfoyle for the syndicate of Eoin and Diarmaid Garrahy, Clonlara and Clare hurling manager, Davy Fitzgerald.

Running from trap three in heat two, the son of Blackstone Gene-Droopy’s  Bolero led the field from the opening bend but was caught near the line and beaten by a short head into second place by the Newbridge-owned Pudden’s Lad (Droopy’s Scolari-Black Leg Lady), the 29.90 winner.

Ennis owner-trainer, Paddy Darcy, is also heading for second-round heats with his Bypass Blackie. The black was smartly away from trap two in the sixth and final heat and although prominent for most of the way, he was overtaken near home by the Graham Holand-trained Murralli Junior who won by half a length in 29.87.

The fastest heat winner was the Frances O’Donnell-trained Skywalker Mandy (Skywalker Ace-Dalcash Divinsky), who won heat four in 29.83.

Other heat winners were Ballyana Foxtrot (29.86), Head For Fame (29.92)  and Curragh Ebb (29.95).

East Clare trainer Donal Cooney had an impressive  winner in Limerick on Saturday night with Sparticus (Tyrur Ted-Hooch Babe) in an A3 graded 525. The fawn dog dashed out of trap two to lead all the way for a length-and-a-half win from Florida Beauty.

West Clare also figured in the winners’ sheet, Wood Nina wining an earlier race, an A4 graded 525, for John Conway, Kilrush. The daughter of Hondo Black-Ashcarne Nina was another who was in a hurry, leading from the first bend and completing the circuit in 29.15, two lengths in front of the runner-up, Beanfield Parke, owned by Tom Flanagan, Russa, Ennistytmon.

First-round heats of the €3,200 Varra Stakes A3 600 were decided in Limerick on Friday night. Third home in heat one was Kilcorcoran Manu, representing Conor Cleary, Miltown Malbay. The heat winner in 32.83 was the Graham Holland-trained Club Striker.

Also third home in the following heat was the Nicola Downes-trained Portroe Craic. The Borrisoleigh-owned Gunboat Terrific was the 33.57 winner. The other heat winners were Marlhole Dodger (33.12) and Riverside Charm (32.88).

This Friday night, the Limerick card includes the final of the €3,100 Varra Stakes A4 525 final, semi-finals of the €3,200 Varra Stakes A3 600 and first-round heats of the €3,100 Greyhound and Petworld A5 525.

Curtin set for first round of English Derby

TRAINER Pat Curtin is still going strong with Kereight King in the William Hill English Greyhound Derby at Wimbledon. Now a 12/1 chance, he runs from trap four in the first of the third-round heats on Saturday night.

He runs in the company of 1. Tyrur Sugar Ray; 2. Teejays Bluehawk; 3. Kilara Missy; 5. Skate On; 6. Droopy’s Jet.

Ballymac Eske is  now the 5/1 favourite with  Ballymac Vic at 7/1 and Droopy’s Jet at 15/2.

Talking dog

ONE of the ‘talking dogs’ at Shelbourne Park in recent times is Out of the Sky.

Trained by Kilmurry (Sixmilebridge) based Stepehen Murray and owned by Martin Williams, Clooney, the black son of Almighty Jack-Newlawn Nellie won again at headquarters on June 1 to record his ninth carer win and fifth on the trot.

His last three wins were in Shelbourne Park with clocks of 29.15, 28.89 and 28.91 and he also won there on February 2 in 28.85. The rest of the wins were in Galway.