KEATING DOUBLE THE HIGHLIGHT AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There were nine races down for decision last night at Galway Greyhound Stadium and the highlight on the card was a nice double for kennel of Michael Keating as both Marlay Star and Danamesbuzz came home in front.

The first of the kennel double came in race five as Marlay Star scored a sixth career victory over the standard trip. A 2/1 shot at the off, Marlay Star was quickest into stride from trap three and after darted to the rail, she took a one length advantage around the opener. Maintaining a powerful gallop down the back, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Rastafari Star showed no signs of fatigue in the latter stages as she came home one and three parts of a length better off than Burnpark Rue in second. The time was a swift 29.17 .20s.

The double was completed in race seven as Danamesbuzz won by a narrow margin over the two-bend trip. Sent to traps as the 6/4 second favourite behind Caislean Joey, Danamesbuzz was only moderately into stride from trap five but he displayed fizzing early gears to take control rounding the opener. Tracking nicely around the bottom two bends, the son of Droopys Sydney and Sing Dixie was all out to score up the home straight as he crossed the line a neck clear of Keeva in second. The time was 19.36 .10s.

CLASSY DEBUT

In the opening race of the night, there was a really eye-catching debut performance from Paul Pardy’s 4/5 favourite, So Its Classy.

After a number of fairly good qualifying efforts, So Its Classy was the warm favourite in the market and the son of Rosbirr Ranger and Classy Ebony made no mistake with a very telling debut indeed. From a level break, So Its Classy immediately exploded to take a lead of three lengths into the opener from Aulton Rafa in second. Drawing clear rounding the bottom two bends, the August 20’ whelp dominated this contest thereafter and he crossed the line with over six lengths in hand, in a rapid 19.00 .10s.

IN OTHER RACES

In race three, Burnpark Twinkle doubled her career tally to two wins for owner Maria Browne. Just a January 21’ whelp, Burnpark Twinkle had plenty on her plate early on after some crowding at the start; however, the white jacketed runner ran a lovely opening bend to sit second entering the back straight. Soon taking control at the midway point, the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Burnpark Leanne held firm in closing stages to see off the fast-finishing High Heels, by one and a half lengths. The time was 29.25 .20s.

In the very next race, Derra Peske showed wonderful gears to land a 550-yard contest for Rachel and Stephen Murray. Still only a June whelp, Derra Peske was a 5/2 chance at the off and she meant business from the off as she flew from trap four to lead by two lengths rounding the opener. Drawing clear of her rivals down the back, the daughter of Ballymac Eske and Playmistyforme was never under any threat of being reeled in and she duly crossed the line with over six length in hand of nearest rival Treanmanagh Lad in second. The time was a very quick 30.24 .20s.

There was an A2 525 up for grabs in race six and there was to be a shock on the cards as the 4/1 shot, Abigails Mystery, saw off the 4/6 favourite, Fast Fit Vic. Owned by Abigail Morrissey, Abigails Mystery was out with the washing early on after a poor start and early crowding from trap two saw her trail the field into the opening corner. However, after making steady progress down the back, the daughter of Belles Direction and Geelo Lu Lu absolutely flew home in the closing stages as she raced past the jolly to record a one length victory. The time was a smart 29.20 .20s.