CANON EXPLODES ON NIGHT OF FINALS AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There was some super action on show last night at Galway Greyhound Stadium as no fewer than four sweepstake finals were down for decision and it was Three Canons who was most impressive in sealing an unbeaten passage through the 90th Celebration July Festival A3 525 final.

Only a November whelp, Three Canons was still waiting for her first career win coming into this stake but she soon caught the eye in round one, coming from well off-the-pace to score a good victory. That was to be a teaser for things to come as she dipped well under the 29-second barrier in estimated terms last time out and she produced another polished performance last night for her joint owners Joan Browne and Conor Keating. Running from trap three, Three Canons hit it well and she took control rounding the opener to quickly develop a four length lead down the back straight. Extending her lead with every stride thereafter, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Spice was in a league of her own as she crossed the line with twelve lengths in hand over nearest rival, Krystalise, in second, and take home the €1,000 first prize on offer. The time was a blistering 28.71 .20s.

UPSET IN A5/A6

There was €1,100 up for grabs in the final of the 90th Celebration July Festival A5/6 525 and it was Alittlekindness who upset the apple cart at the expense of odds-on favourite, Jumeirah Dasher.

Sent to traps as the 6/4 second-favourite behind the 4/6 Jumeirah Dasher, the former led early from trap two and Alittlekindness (Droopys Sydney - Cantcallherthat) took a three length advantage into the back straight. In contrast, Jumeirah Dasher completely fluffed his lines at traprise and occupied the rear position at the opening corner. Holding all the aces out in front, it looked all-over for the Mullins-Curtin-owned Alittlekindness as she continued to set a strong gallop; however, Jumeirah Dasher was now in full flow and flew into second place rounding the bottom two bends. A big finish now in store, Alittlekindness just held off Jumeirah Dasher, who lost nothing in defeat, by a decreasing half a length. The time was a 29.29 .20s.

BAT OUTTA HELL DOMINATES OPENER FINAL

The curtain-raiser on the card was the final of the 90th Celebration July Festival A7/10 525 and it was Bat Outta Hell who justified her even money price tag in scoring a comfortable victory for connections.

Owned by Stephen O’Toole, Bat Outta Hell is only a February 21’ whelp but despite going off favourite to land the €650 first prize, she was still seeking a first career win in the decider. Running from trap one, the well-bred daughter of Droopys Sydney and Fire Height Brid broke spritely from the red and occupied a six length lead down the back straight at this point. The result was a formality at this stage and Bat Outta Hell stayed on well to cross the line with five lengths in hand over Annadown Ruby in second. The time was a good 29.37 .20s.

BEEBEE STARS

The last of the sweepstake finals on offer was the An Feile Luil, Gaillimh A2 525, worth €850 to the winner, and Beebees Star built on her semi final win with another polished performance.

Sent to traps as the 7/4 joint favourite with Blue Field, Beebees Star flew from six and she quickly made her intentions clear by rounding the opening corner with clear daylight. Opening a six length lead at the midway point of the race, it was all over bar the shouting rounding the penultimate turn as the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Absolutely Ace had built an unassailable lead out in front. Tommy Skeffington’s charge maintained that relentless gallop all the way to the winning line as she stormed up the home straight to win by nine lengths from Blue Field in second. The time was 28.94 .20s.

SPICE BACK TO HIS BEST IN TRIAL STAKE

Elsewhere on the card, the 2022 BoyleSport Irish Derby Trial Stake was also on the line and this went the way of Own Spice who took control late on to book his free entry into Shelbourne Park next month.

A real powerful performer at his best, Own Spice was without doubt the class animal in the field but whether or not he could rediscover his very best form was still up for debate coming into the contest. However, he answered those questions in good style with a display of sheer power in reeling in Ceide Prince. It was the latter who shot from traps to lead early and he took a four length lead into the back from the improving Own Spice in second. The Declan McDonagh-trained charge cranked it up a notch at the midway point however, and he soon joined Ceide Prince between the bottom two bends. Quickly sweeping past his rival, the son of Skywalker Puma and Coolavanny Spice, owned by Tommy O’Doherty, stormed across the line to win by four lengths, in a time of 29.90 .20s.