SMOOTH SHOOTS TO CAREER BEST DISPLAY AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
There was no shortage of quality performances last night at Galway Greyhound Stadium but it was Midfield Deano and Smooth Shot who produced two red-hot displays to take headlines.
Running in the penultimate race of the night, Midfield Deano was the first to produce a brilliant performance for Rachel Wheeler and John Newman. Seeking a sixth career win, Midfield Deano didn't have everything his own way as a moderate break from one saw the 5/2 shot forced to settle for third place early on. However, making the most of his inside berth, the son of Droopys Sydney and Midfield Diva turned in hot pursuit of Grangeview Best down the back straight and he nipped up the inside at the penultimate turn to take charge. Staying on strongly thereafter, Midfield Deano saw off the fast-finishing Own Spice by two and a quarter lengths, in a fast time of 28.67 .20s.
SENSATIONAL SMOOTH
It was a case of saving the best to last in the concluding race on the card as Smooth Shot produced an incredible performance to dominate her A4 contest. Owned by Francine Jestine, Smooth Shot was having her first race since January but the break has clearly done her no harm whatsoever as she stopped the clock in a career-best time. A daughter of Over Limit and Our Little Mix, Smooth Shot bolted from trap four and she carried a three length lead into the back from Moanteen Sully in second. Setting a ferocious gallop into the bottom two bends, Jestine’s charge upped the ante in the closing stages as she drew clear of her rivals to cross the line with seven and three quarter lengths in hand. The time was a super 28.63 .20s.
IN OTHER RACES
Michael Hogan is always an owner to be respected and he turned in another victory in race seven as Grangeview Dec recorded a first career win in fine style. Running from trap three, the son of Superior Product and Portumna West, a 5/4 shot, found space at a premium early on as he followed Financial Giant into the back straight. However, showing big pace down the back was Grangeview Dec and he swept the penultimate turn to take charge. Powering home thereafter, Hogan’s charge crossed the line with over five lengths in hand over Financial Giant in second. The time was 28.94 .20s.
The fastest performance over the two-bend trip came in race three as Bayview Snowey justified his 4/5 starting price. Owned by Eoin Clancy, Bayview Snowey made his intentions clear early on with a smart break from trap three. Holding a healthy lead into the opener, the son of Lenson Panda and Bayview Flyer was never going to be caught thereafter as he pulled clear to win by three and a half lengths from Verstappen in second. The time was a fast 19.10 .10s.
The 29-second barrier was dipped under again in race eight as Springwell Diva made it back-to-back wins for Gerard O’Dowd. A 3/1 chance at the off, Springwell Diva came away racing from trap five and she carried a four length lead into the back. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, it was a case of how far for the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Springwell Dotsy as she drew clear to win by seven and three quarter lengths. The time was 29.19 .20s.