BRILLIANT DEBUT FROM BONNIE AT GALWAY
Peter Farrell
There were a number of smart displays at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night but the pick of those was a debut victory for the Noel Hehir-owned Ivy Hill Bonnie.
After enduring an unbeaten qualifying campaign with winning trials around both Limerick and Galway, Hehir’s charge was installed as the 4/6 favourite and she quickly justified those odds with a flying start from the stripes. Running a terrific opening turn, Ivy Hill Bonnie quickly excelled into a seven length lead as she drew clear of her nearest rival, Fantasy Tuppence, in second. Setting a ferocious gallop into the third bend, the bird had well and truly flown for the extremely well-bred daughter of Laughil Blake and Coolavanny Chick as she maintained a strong gallop to come home seven lengths clear of Fantasy Tuppence in second. A really likeable display from this May 21’ whelp, the time was a rapid 28.97 .10s.
IN OTHER RACES
The opening race on the card was landed by Abigails Chance over the extended 575-yard trip. Owned by the Abigails-Syndicate, the son of Grangeview Ten and Clever Princess was a 2/1 chance at the off and he came out the right side of a ding-dong battle throughout with Annadown Rose. Running from trap five, Abigails Chance was narrowly led throughout but showed the superior stamina in the final ten yards to cross the line with a neck in hand. The time was 31.97 .10s.
The semi finals of the Galway Novice 350 were also on the card and it was Crafty Kaboom who went fastest for Peter Divilly. An extremely young November 21’ whelp, the daughter of Goods News and Cockyorconfident benefited from Dangerous Things running wide on the run-up and she didn’t need a second invitation to shoot up the inside. Thereafter, it was a formality for Crafty Kaboom as she won by two and a half lengths, in a time of 19.32 .5s.
Race eight was a 550-yard contest and Ballyea Scrutiny scored a brilliant thirteenth career victory for Noel Gavin and Albert Mullins. A very versatile tracker, Ballyea Scrutiny was a 3/1 chance at the off and he came away best of all from trap four to lead early doors. Holding a two length advantage entering the back straight, the son of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye quickly doubled that lead and he was never under serious pressure of being overturned. Crossing the line with three and a half lengths in hand, the time was a good 30.20 .10s.
It was brilliant to see an 810-yard contest on last night’s Galway card and Joe Shaughnessy’s Balrobuck Dream proved a class above to score in style. Searching for a fifth career win, the March 21’ fawn led from traprise and never saw another tail despite the extended yardage. Holding a comfortable lead over Abigails Mystery throughout, the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Be Slow Teresa was five and a half lengths better off crossing the line. The time was 45.96 .15s.
There was another make-all performance in the final race of the night as Jumbo Bella ran to a comprehensive victory for owner Patrick O’Loughlin. A daughter of Slippery Robert and Nivealass, Jumbo Bella was the 5/4 favourite at the off and she made her intentions clear from the outset as she flew from trap three. Holding a big lead rounding the opener, Jumbo Bella continued to set a strong gallop all the way home as she recorded a five and a half length victory over Johnny Ger Gar in second. The time was 29.19 .10s.