Three Clare finalists for Galway Race Week A4 525

Clare owners will have a strong say in the destination of the Galway Race Week A4 525 as they will field three of the finalists.

As the traps rose for the opening semi-final last Saturday night, John Fitzgerald’s Ler Nadal was quickly into his stride. He was closely followed by Nebraska West, owned by Martin Griffin from Cahera, Lissycasey, but as they approached the opening bend the blue-jacketed Big Thrills stormed through on the rails to take command of the contest.
Turning down the far side the Millstreet Racing Club-owned Big Thrills began to extend his advantage with every stride as Nebraska West gave vain chase in second position and Ler Nadal dropped out of the picture.
Clear off the home bend, Big Thrills was three and half lengths to the good at the line in 29.17.
The second heat went to the Helen O’Brien-owned Knockdine Joker. The Miltown Malbay-owned runner led at the penultimate bend on his way to a four-length success over O’Garney Belle in 29.50. The runner-up, out of Droopys Maldini-Moumalanga, is owned and trained by Bernard Coffey of Oatfield, Sixmilebridge.
Class wise, the concluding A2-graded 550 was the top fare on offer and as the runners embarked on the long run to the opening bend the Bernard Coffey, Sixmilebridge- trained Money Go Easy showed the best early toe to lead from Tyrur Feeney and Gipsy Madam.
Some crowding at the bend opened the door for the Patrick Noonan-owned daughter of Droopys Maldini and Money Go Lucky to kick clear turning down the back. As Money Go Easy exited the back straight she was out in splendid isolation as she galloped to an eight-length success over Gipsy Madam in 30.19
There was a Clare one-two in the second semi-final of the A3-graded 525.
Victory went to Mine Echo (Hades Rocket-Jumeirah Jess), owned and trained in Quin by Frank Browne, who was winning for the fourth time in five starts.
As the traps rose Grandas Mica was first to show but he was readily outpaced on the run to the opening bend by Mine Echo and Blissfull Mossy.
Between the final two bends both Confused Jose, trained by Ger Manley in Gallows Hill, Cratloe, and Blissfull Mossy went up to challenge the leader but Mine Echo was not for passing and he triumphed by a length and a half in 29.39 from Confused Jose.
Third in the semi-final of the Galway GOBA Veterans 350 stake was the West Clare-owned Gowerhass Hill, owned by Mary and Michael Liddane. The son of Top Honcho-Corries Kate was five lengths off the 19.37 winner, Glasson Pride.