PEGGY LANDS ANN CHEEVERS DECIDER AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
There was €1,500 up for grabs as the final of the Ann Cheevers Memorial 525 took centre stage last night at Galway Greyhound Stadium and there was a mini shock on the cards as Lissatouk Peggy landed the spoils.
Owned by James McMahon, Lissatouk Peggy had landed her semi final assignment and she came into the decider as the 2/1 second favourite behind When We Dream, who had proved a popular figure throughout the stake. However, Lissatouk Peggy wasted no time in setting her stall out as although breaking marginally behind Lexis Cleo in four, the red jacketed runner showed a lovely turn of early pace to turn in front. From here, Lissatouk Peggy opened a two length lead over Lexis Cleo entering the back straight, while When We Dream was now beginning to wind up her challenge back in third. Lissatouk Peggy wasn’t to be denied however; as despite the best efforts of When We Dream, who finished with a real rattle, the daughter of Dorotas Woo Hoo and Lissatouk Lady held on gamely to score. Just three parts of a length in it at the winning line, the time was 29.11 .20s and congratulations are extended to James McMahon on winning what proved another classy sweepstake at Galway.
CLASSY BRANDY FASTEST
Elsewhere on the card, there were no shortage of excellent performances and the fastest over the standard came in the final race of the night as Millrose Brandy scored for the eleventh time.
Owned by Ger Cremin, Millrose Brandy has been a terrific servant and he continues to produce outstanding performances on a regular basis. Running from trap four last night, the son of Ballymac Matt and Laughil Linda wasn’t hanging around at boxes as he pinged the lids to lead comfortably into the opening corner. From here, it proved a routine success for Cremin’s charge as Millrose Brandy drew clear to win by over twelve lengths. The time was a brilliant 28.81 .20s.
A COUPLE OF DOUBLES
Both Evan McAuliffe and Kevin Connolly were also on-form last night at the Connacht venue as they recorded a double for their respective kennels.
In the opening race of the night, the Kevin Connolly owned and trained Caislean Roddick (Droopys Roddick - Ballyregan Rach)got the ball rolling as he recorded his twelfth career victory. In what proved a very messy affair, Caislean Roddick, the 5/4 favourite, saw off Ballyhale Paddy by a length and a half, in a time of 29.94 .20s.
The double was completed shortly after in race five as Caislean Honcho held on gamely to score back-to-back wins. Running from trap three, Caislean Honcho took over from Peteles Lady early doors and despite coming under late pressure from Confused Fitzy in second, the son of Kinloch Brae and Baby Sugar held firm to win by half a length. The time was 19.40 .10s.
The McAuliffe double got off to a brilliant start in race four as Drombeg Khalesi denied the 4/6 favourite, Newport DIva, to record a career best effort.
Still seeking a first career win prior to last night, Drombeg Khalesi ran a terrific opening bend to narrowly head Newport Diva and it was to prove a ding-dong battle thereafter as Drombeg Khalesi came out on top. In a thrilling contest, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Khalesi was half a length better off at the line, in a time of 28.87 .20s.
In race seven, Drombeg Glory sealed the double. In what was a 350-yard contest, Drombeg Glory took charge early on from trap three and the son of Droopys Jet and Market Glory stayed tight to the rail to run out a two length winner over Breaghmore Bob in second. The time was 19.05 .10s.