DROMBEG DOUBLE THE HIGHLIGHT AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

Galway hosted a nine-race all graded affair last night and it proved another successful night for Evan McAuliffe as he recorded a double with Drombeg Snowy and Drombeg Glory both landing their respective contests.

The first of the double came in race four which was a sprint contest and it was Drombeg Snowy who recorded a seventh career victory. A 5/2 shot at the off, the white jacketed runner broke narrowly behind Peteles Lady early doors but she quickly flew past her rival to take a three length lead into the opening corner. Maintaining a powerful gallop thereafter, the daughter of Ballybough Mike and Cheerful Madam crossed the line with two lengths in hand over Peteles Lady in second as the time returned 19.23 .10s.

The double was completed in race eight as Drombeg Ten justified her 6/4 favourtism to record a brilliant eleventh victory for Evan McAuliffe. A very consistent sort, Drombeg Ten broke well from trap four and she showed the superior early dash to see off Pinnacle Rio rounding the opening corner. Opening a healthy advantage down the back straight, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Market Glory continued to go about her business in good style as she stayed on stoutly to record a length and a half victory over Five Alley Ted in second. The time was 29.42 .20s.

GOUGANES GREAT DEBUT

Aside from the ‘Drombeg’ double, there was a particularly impressive performance in race three as Gougane Jet landed an ON2 525 in good style.

Owned by Noel Hehir, Gougane Jet (Droopys Jet - Paper Doll) went to traps the 4/5 favourite to get his career off to the best possible start and he didn’t disappoint as he broke the 29-second barrier in the process. Running from trap one, Gougane Jet pinged the lids and he drifted to the middle as he took an already healthy advantage into the opening corner. Rounding the turn with five lengths in hand, Gougane Jet was chased hard in second as Cloonturn Bruno finished at a rate of knots; however, the line came just in time for Hehir’s charge as he crossed over with just a length in hand. Two very impressive debuts from both greyhounds, the time for Gougane Jet was a fast 28.97 .20s.

IN OTHER RACES

In the opening race of the night, Ballygibbon Bus broke her maiden tag in fine fashion for owner John O’Meara. Tracking the early runners, Balligibbon Bus, a 3/1 chance, stormed to the front between the bottom two bends and she drew clear thereafter to seal a four and a half length victory over Cloneyogan Ivy in second. The time was 29.46 .20s.

In race two, Burnpark Ronaldo scored on his second career start for joint owners Michael and Alanna Browne. A coursing bred son of Watchman and Burnpark Grainne, the 4/5 favourite broke only moderately but he was to display that explosive coursing early pace to take control rounding the opener. Maintaining a smart gallop thereafter, Burnpark Ronaldo crossed the line with six lengths to spare over One Survivor in second. The time was 19.40 .10s.

The John McDonagh-trained Croaghill Jaytee bounced back to winning ways in race six as he made every post a winner from trap five. Owned by Alan McDonagh, Croaghill Jaytee took charge early on and although it proved a nip and tuck battle to the third bend with little to separate a number of runners, the son of Jaytee Jet and Droopys Breeze was to pull clear in the closing stages. Storming up the home straight, Croaghill Jaytee was five and a half lengths better off than Knockmeale Star as the time returned 29.43 .20s.

Marley Star made it five career victories in race seven as Michael Keating’s lady made every yard of the running to emerge a comfortable winner. Flashing from trap one, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Rastafari Star showed electric early dash to quickly open a four length lead rounding the opener. Setting a powerful gallop thereafter, Marley Star held firm up the home straight and she crossed the line with two lengths to spare over Mollrose King in second. The time was 29.26 .20s.

In the final race of the night, Mollrose Annie secured back-to-back victories for Sean Daly. An impressive winner last time out, Mollrose Annie led into the opening turn last night from trap five and after early traffic in behind, there was little doubt that she would go on to seal another victory for connections. Galloping to a super seven and a half length victory over Jaxx Puma in second, the 3/1 shot stopped the clock in a time of 29.31 .20s.