It was a Friday night’s racing to remember for Gort’s John Quinn while this Saturday Clare hopes in the quarter-finals of the Friends of Limerick Irish St Leger lay firmly with Own Spice.
There were twelve races down for decision on Friday night at Galway Greyhound Stadium with the twin features the A2 graded tenth contest over 550 Yards and the concluding A2 graded 525 yard contest.
As the traps rose for the A2 graded 550 Yards contest the John Quinn of Gort owned Fast Fit Ash was smartly into stride on the wide outside and in the long run to the opening bend the Declan McDonagh of Liscannor trained runner led Badgerfort Tommy by a length as they approached the opening bend with Spin The Coin in third place. Turning down the back Fast Fit Ash set sail for home and passing halfway the son of Laughill Blake & Fast Fit Misty led by four lengths as Allegra Blue went a clear second. Off the home bend Fast Fit Ash was in control as he raced to a three and a quarter lengths success in 30.44.
Owner John Quinn completed a personal double in the A3 graded eleventh contest as the Martin Fahy trained Fast Fit Limit led off the home bend to defeat Cozzys Gem by a length and a quarter in 30.56. On the long run to the opening bend Office Bar led on the wide outside and turning down the far side Office Bar led Fast Fit Limit by three lengths. Approaching the penultimate bend Fast Fit Limit(Over Limit-Fast Fit Misty) began to close on the inside of the leader and saving valuable ground between the final two bends Fast Fit Limit kicked clear off the home bend to complete a double for the popular owner
In the early strides of race two in an S8 graded contest Glasheen Davy and Peteles Duchess were both prominent with Another Mattie and Kilbannon Logan also close up as the field closed on the opening bend. Rounding the bend Glasheen Davy owned by Kilkee’s Brendan Browne took a definite advantage along the inside rails and kicking off the home bend the Son of Droopys Jet & Glasheen Queen drew right away to defeat Kilbannon Logan by three and a half lengths in 19.63.
Race four developed into a match from an early stage as from traps Cheroke Champ, Muckinish Flyer and Zero Windfall were smartly into stride but on the run to the opening bend Muckinish Flyer out wide and Zero Windfall kicked on with Muckinish Flyer holding a one length advantage rounding the bend. Between the two bends Muckinish Flyer began to assert and the Mary Ward of Spancilhill owned daughter of Ballymac Vic & Brookeville Dash eased away to prevail by three and a quarter lengths in 19.44.
Ballyea Scrutiny made it two wins from two starts in race seven of an S4 graded contest. The son of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye who is owned by Noel Gavin of Ballyea proved a length and a quarter too good from Derra Misty in 19.42. The winner broke smartly but was readily outpaced by red jacketed Derra Misty on the run towards the opening bend where Croaghill Blake closed out wide. Rounding the home turn though Ballyea Scrutiny and Derra Misty had it between them with Ballyea Scrutiny proving the stronger close home.
Saturday nights card featured the three semi-finals of the Liam Brussels Memorial 525 Yards Stake sponsored by the Brussels Family. In the opening semi-final, Rallying Light broke smartly on the wide outside and racing towards the opening bend he led from Double Good on the rails with Lios Derg in third place as they rounded the bend. Racing down the back though the Ducking & Diving Syndicate owned Double Good quickened through to lead along the inside and once in front the son of Good News & Bull Run Kite readily drew right away to defeat the staying on Kilwest Lady by six & a quarter lengths in 29.00.
Runner up in his debut the Pat Hogan of Ennis owned Aulton Zero made no mistake at the second time of asking in race three. The Seamus Fahy trained son of Zero Ten & Heathlawn Gold scored by five lengths from Divas Snowie in 19.48. From trap Glenbrack Stella was best away in the centre of the track but Aulton Zero quickly went through the gears down the inside to take command at the opening bend as Divas Snowie raced wide on the track. Turning for home Austin Zero was in total control as he went further clear with every stride.
Down Limerick way, the quarter-finals of the Friends of Limerick Irish St Leger takes place this Saturday night. Clare hopes lay with Own Spice owned by Cooraclare’s Thomas O’Doherty otrained by John Browne of Ballyea.
