Peter Farrell
The Martin Fahy Memorial A4/A5 525 got off and running on Saturday night at Galway Greyhound Stadium and the standard was set by the experienced Confused Kiely in the opening heat of the night.
Owned by Gerry Manley, Confused Kiely was installed as the even money favourite and it was a case of all one-way traffic as the strapping son of Magical Bale made every inch to score in heat one. Drawn in trap one, ‘Kiely’ came away like the wind on the rails and he manufactured a three length advantage entering the back straight. At this point, the race was sewn up as Manley’s charge comfortably ran out a six length winner over Bayview Wild in second. The time was 29.03 .10s.
HEAT WATCH
Heat 2 - Jasmine Coco produced an outstanding performance in heat two as she reeled in the even money favourite, Vernon Mist. The latter looked to have this contest all sewn up as she held a two length lead entering the back straight. At this point, Jasmine Coco sat some five lengths adrift in third but never gave up hope in her quest to get back on terms. Trained by Colm Fitzgerald for Cian Mulrooney, the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet - Wishful Ali upped the ante off the penultimate bend and she made rapid inroads late on to reel in the even money jolly and win by one length. The time was 29.29 .10s.
Heat 3 - The Gerard Kenny-owned Cragmoher Time was another to come from off-the-pace and win in heat three. Installed at odds of 3/1, the daughter of Pestana was some six lengths back entering the back straight in this contest as Nashville set a blistering pace in trap three. However, ‘Time’ edged closer with every stride at the midway point and she duly took charge entering the home straight. Powering clear to record a three length win, the time was 29.48 .10s.
Heat 4 - It was a night for the strong runners and On The Latte was another to produce a late flurry and score in heat four. Owned by Gerry O’Donohue, the son of Broadstrand Bono - Brickhill Sharon played second fiddle to Barntick Midget in the early exchanges, however, pressed the leader at the crown of the penultimate bend. Thereafter, the 2/1 chance showed the superior stamina to extend his lead to four lengths crossing the line. The time was 29.30 .10s.
Heat 5 - Hollywell Sky made it seven career wins in heat five as she pinged out to make-all from trap six. Holding a commanding lead down the back, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout was chased hard by Five Alley Syd, however, the latter just fell short as ‘Sky’ showed fine determination to hold on for a short-head win. The time was 29.14 .10s for the 4/5 favourite.
Heat 6 - The concluding heat was landed by Heathlawn Ruby as Rose and Martin Kelly’s lady also made every yard to make it two wins from her last three starts. A 5/2 chance at the outset, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Blackstone Time showed the best of the early speed on the rails and she held a four length advantage over Springwell Eddy down the back. While the latter halved the gap late on, ‘Ruby’ kept plenty in reserve as she crossed the line two lengths clear in 29.43 .10s.