GLYNNSCROSS TED LANDS INAUGURAL MARTIN FAHY MEMORIAL AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

It was a busy night at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the track hosted no fewer than five finals, the feature of which being the €3,000 to the winner Martin Fahy Memorial 525.

Kindly sponsored by the Fahy Family, this stake has been hotly contested since the opening round and the decider proved no different as Glynnscross Ted held on for a narrow victory. Owned by Thomas Keane, ‘Ted’ was back in his favoured striped jacket in the final and he emerged from a level break to show a fantastic turn of early speed out wide. In doing so, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glynnscrosstyler opened a two length lead over Petes Noah in second and he quickly doubled his advantage as he set a scorching gallop down the back. Looking a clear winner at this point, the stride of the leader visibly shortened around the bottom bend and this opened the door for Guideys Bullet, who was absolutely flying in behind. However, ‘Ted’ had done the damage in the early stages and he kept just enough in reserve to see off ‘Bullet’ by three parts of a length and claim the valuable prize-pot on offer. A thrilling finish to the inaugural Martin Fahy Memorial, the time was 29.42 .10s.

Watchman @ Stud A7 525

The opening final of the night was the Watchman @ Stud A7 525 and this was landed in comprehensive fashion by Konfu Tommy. Jointly owned by Donal Cooney and Pat O’Donohue, the son of Concrete Jungle made light work of his semi final assignment and this was a similar tale as he broke well from red before holding Esme Lady to the bend. Opening a healthy lead down the back, it was all one-way traffic thereafter as ‘Tommy’ raced to a six length victory over Esme Lady in second. The time in the €1,000 decider was 29.40.

WGOBA Race Week Sprint S7 325

There was €750 on offer in the final of the WGOBA Race Week Sprint S7 325 and this went the way of Peteles Express, who finished at speed to collar Burkos Tarzan. It was Pallasmore Dude that showed first from two, however, all the early speed came from Burkos Tarzan in five. Meanwhile, Peteles Express (Malachi - Billys Sahara) was coursing the hare out wide and this was key to him turning close on the run for home. Jointly owned by Peter Hassett and Ele Hinds, the January 23’ pup flew home thereafter and he just got the nod, by a neck, from Burkos Tarzan in second. The time was 18.27 .5s.

Crokers Kennels A5/A6 550

There were no surprises in the final of the €1,000 to the winner Crokers Kennels 550 as Crokers Barky, owned by the sponsor John Croker, completed his unbeaten run through the stake. Trained by Stephen Murray, this tracker now has an exceptional record of seven wins from ten starts, however, his most recent win forced him to pull out all the stops. Leading early from two, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Crokers Ruby had Creevy Jet for company but just held off his rival to win by a short-head, in 30.92 .10s.

WGOBA Race Week Dash S5 325

The concluding final on the card was the Dash 325 and Seekers Jet bounced back from his semi final defeat to win comfortably for Margaret Bolton and Scott Bennitt. A son of Jaytee Jet and Seekers Vision, ‘Jet’ came away on a spring from five and he led into the opening turn from Burkos Mojo. Despite steering a wide course, Seekers Jet proved too strong for his rivals on the run home as he pulled clear to win by three lengths from ‘Mojo’ in second. The time was 18.19 .5s.