*Sean O’Riordan owner of Kilballyowen Boy with Rachel Murray, daughter of trainer Stephen, Paddy Burke and supporters.
KILBALLYOWEN BOY took the spoils in the final of the College Road July Festival.
By Michael Maher
The outcome of race two at the Galway Track on Friday Night last in this novice 350 yards contest was in little doubt form an early stage as the Brian O’Halloran of Lissycasey owned Santiago Bay made all the running along the rail to defeat Aulton Dubh by four and a quarter lengths in 19.60. Trapping well the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Burnpark Leanne led from Creevy Daisy and Nivea Blue but with trouble behind at the bend the winner shot clear and raced all alone up the home straight.
In race five, the Tadgh Ward Spanchill owned Tadgh’s First registered her maiden career success as she made all the running to defeat Spooky Mikeala by two and three quarter lengths in 29.70. Away smartly in the centre of the track the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Brookville Dash led by two lengths approaching the opening bend and with some trouble behind the winner kicked clear entering the back straight. From the third bend the winner began to come back to her rivals and although Spooky Mikeala closed on the straight the result was never in doubt.
Racing towards the opening bend in race six for this A5 graded contest Tiger Queen led from Bumblebee Love along the inner with Orbsen Olive also prominent as the Jack Browne of Ballyea owned Cascade Raven was forced very wide losing valuable ground in the process. Racing down the back Orbsen Olive led from Springwell Amy as Cascade King began to recover the lost ground on the wide outside. At the third bend Cascade Raven swept round the wide outside to take command of the contest and despite maintaining a wide berth rounding the home bend the son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Spice defeated Tiger Queen by two and a half lengths in 29.62.
In the early strides of race nine in this S6 graded sprint contest Ballyfort Uni showed pace to lead form Croaghill Light with Bumblebee Mojo close up along the inner approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend Croaghill Light moved in out wide as the John Maher of Kilmaley owned Clonfeigh Sunset came through on the inner and lead off the home bend. Charging to the line it was anyones race with the Patrick McDonagh owned Croaghill Light (Droopys Roddick-Air Support) just prevailing by half a length at the line for the Williamstown Kennel of John McDonagh in 20.12.
The Final of The College Road July Festival A3 525 Yards Stake was the feature event on Saturday night’s ten race card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and as the traps rose for the €1200 to the winner decider Marley Star was best away ahead of Cloonturk Bruno and the pair matched strides on the run towards the opening bend just ahead of Kilballyowen Boy. Racing around the opening bend, the Sean O’Riordan owned Kilballyowen Boy railed superbly slipping inside the leading pair and quickly setting sail for home down the back. Passing halfway the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained son of Laughill Blake and Bright Ella was four lengths clear of Marlay Star as he set sail for home. Again hugging the fence around the final two bends Kilballyowen Boy stormed to an eight length success over Abigails Hope in 29.18.
In the top graded contest of the night, Crokers Samba shoed the best early pace on the long run towards the opening bend to lead form Mystical Josie and Kilcormack Sky at the turn. Rounding the bend Speedie Sydney slice through the field and sit in the cat bird seat behind Crokers Samba racing towards halfway. As the third bend loomed the Padraic Fannin and Leo Kelly of Ennis owned Speedie Syd went for a gap on the leaders inside and squeezing through the son of Droopys Sydney and Urban Time drew clear in the straight to defeat Kilcormack Sky by three and a half lengths in 30.51.
As the traps rose for the A4 graded contest Brendy’s Girl was away best but she was outpaced by the Michael Costello of North Clare owned Pinnacle Rio approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend Pinnacle Rio grabbed his favoured rails berth and quickly opened up a two length advantage over Spiritual Lady racing down the back straight. At the third bend the latter tried her luck on the leaders inner but the door was shut in her face as Pinnacle Rio (Rio Quatro-Fawn Samantha) went on again but he was all out close home to see off the late thrust of Ferryforth Jess by a neck in 29.88.
The concluding contest was an S4 graded sprint contest in which Bogroad Star was just about best away with Burnoark Ronaldo and Drumgeekly Avenue also prominent in the early strides. Approaching the opening bend the Michael and Alanna Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Ronaldo went a length clear of his rivals headed by Bogroad Star as the lead became two lengths rounding the crown of the home bend. On straightening for home Burnpark Ronaldo(Watchman-Burnoark Graiinne) was in command as he scored by a length and a half in 19.18.
