*FILE PIC: Ciaran Browne.
Askingforafriend provided a timely lift for Ennis publican Ciaran Browne at Galway track over the weekend.
The outcome of race six at the Galway Track on Saturday night last in this S6 graded sprint contest was decided at the opening bend as from traps Pats Alloy and Lady Blue Eyes were both away smartly towards the inside and racing towards the opening bend the pair matched strides over a length clear of Askingforafriend who was all dressed up with nowhere to go as the bend loomed.
As the leaders took the bend though a small gap appeared along the inner and the Hey-You-Sir Syndicate of Ennis owned Askingforafriend needed no second invitation as he stormed through and quickly kicked clear of his rivals and the son of Reikers Island and Bower Judy scored by four & three quarter lengths from Lady Blue Eyes in 19.26. It was a timely boost for Syndicate member Ciaran Browne well known publican of Francis St Ennis who is hospitalised at the moment all here are wishing him a speedy recovery, the dog is handled by another syndicate member Shane Flanagan of Rockmount.
In the opening contest for A6 graded runner the reserve Cloneyogan Zippy in trap one broke smartly in company with Springwell Myko and Peteles Lady and the trio were lined abreast rounding the opening bend. Holding her line well along the rail the Siobhan Garraghy of Lahinch owned Cloneyogan Zippy led Scooby Flash and Springwell Myko by over length racing towards halfway and although that pair joined issue rounding the third bend Cloneyogan Zippy dug really deep to see off the challenge of Springwell Myko by half a length at the line in 29.85.
A tight finish was also produced in the A8 graded race four. The photo finish verdict went the way of the pace wetting Blaze Hero owned by Kim Bennis and Tony Brigdale of Ennis who just lasted home by a neck form Lismadine Dido in 29.77.
In the early strides of race 8 in this A5 graded contest Feed Me Icecubes led on the wide outside from Ballymac Empress towerds the inner and the red jacket Kilballyowen Boy last along the inner. Turning down the back though the Sean O’Riordan owned Kilballyowen Boy who tracked superbly around the opening two bends swept through to take command of the contest approaching the halfway stage. Approaching the third bend Kilballyowen Boy(Laughill Blake-Bright Ella) led Ballymac Empress by three lengths and staying on well the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner coasted home three and a half lengths to the good in 29.48.
The most convincing winner on Galway’s Friday night’s card was the Jack Browne of Ballyea owned Cascade King in the concluding A3 graded 525 yards contest. Trapping well in the centre of the track Cascade King showed good pace to the bend to lead Knockmeale Star and Bumblebee Love by two lengths at the turn. Setting off down the back straight Cascade King opened up a five length advantage over Mollrose King passing the halfway mark and he was in total control despite swinging slightly wide off the home turn as he defeated Mollrose King by three and a half lengths in 29.06.
In race three all six runners were very closely grouped approaching the opening bend in this S7 graded contest with Brickhill Paulio, Erril Star, Kilkeale Snow and Domhan Glory all lined across the track as they took the bend. With trouble towards his outside the John Collins and John Browne of Ballyea owned Brickhill Paulio held his position well along the rail and turned for home three lengths clear. Staying on well the son of Laughill Blake & Rathmeehan Molly recorded his third career success by four and three quarter lengths over Domhan Glory in 19.44.
Having got off the mark at the fifth attempt in S7 grade last time, the Alanna and Michael Browne of Cree, Kilmihil owned Burnpark Lexi made light of the rise to S4 grade in race six as she proved a length and three parts too good for Caislean Joey in 19.24. Breaking well as Danmar Daniel and Caislean Joey broke best on either side of her the daughter of Adios Alonso and Burnpark Grainne surged between runners approaching the opening bend to take command of the contest. Three lengths clear rounding the home bend Burnpark Lexi continued to extend her advantage all the way up the straight.
It was a case of third time lucky in race eight for the Mrs Maria Browne of Cree, Kilmihil owned Burnpark Brae in this A4 graded contest as the son of Kinloch Brae and Seekers Visionn made all the running from his trap line berth as he defeated Brickhill Jethro by three and a half lengths in 29.13.
At Shelbourne Park on Saturday night last in heat two of the first round in the Champion 550 Sweepstake Fast Fit Paddy came through to win for Declan McDonagh of Liscannor and John Quinn and Paul Horig of Gort.
Owner Noel Gavin of Ballyea was in the winners enclosure after the final races at the Limerick Track also on Saturday night handled by Tom Flanagan of Ennistymon, Noel’s Ballyea Scrutiny made it win number 6 in a very good time of 28.79 for the 525 yards trip.
