Following two false starts due to the inclement weather, the racing year finally got under way at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday last where the final of the Merry Christmas From All At Galway A3 525 was the top graded contest on the ten race card.
As the traps rose for the €1200-to-the winner final, Lissatouk Dave was best away along the fence and showing pace he led by a length from Creevy Bird and Eastern Express with Yahoo Candice in fifth rounding the opening bend.
Racing down the back Lissatouk Dave led Creevy Bird by three lengths as Yahoo Candice began to get into gear passing halfway. Beginning the swing for home the lead was still three lengths but the Noel Hehir of Inagh-owned Yahoo Candice (Malachi-Geelo Celticaold) was in full flight and ran the leader down with a devastating late burst to win by a neck in 29.24.
The third contest was an S7 graded af- fair and in the early strides Colossal Trilogy and Bumblebee Fergus disputed the lead with Drombeg Bailey a length adrift of the pair as the closed in on the opening bend.
Rounding the bend the Colossal Syndicate of Ennis and Kilmaley-owned Colossal Trilogy took command along the rails and kicking three lengths clear racing round the crown of the home bend the son of Malachi & Droopys Megan eased to a seven length success over Pallasmore Bud in 19.53.
Galway Greyhound Stadium announced some welcome news in recent days with the return of the Connacht Derby scheduled to get under way on the 21st of February.
Kindly sponsored by Kilcolgan Castle, this event was a feature some years ago and it certainly is a major addition to the racing calendar for 2025. Boasting a brilliant first prize of €9,000,and will be for A0/A1 graders over the 550 yds distance.
