CRICKET BEST IN MARTIN FAHY MEMORIAL SECOND ROUND AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Martin Fahy Memorial 525 served as the highlight on the Galway card on Saturday night and while Confused Kiely made it back-to-back wins in the stake, it was Cricket Box that went narrowly quickest for owner John Glancy.

Running in heat two, Cricket Box could only manage third last time out, however, he shaved some three lengths off his early sectional clock to lead early in this contest. Drawn in two, the son of Good News - Ardera Wee Sal posted a fast 3.30 as he took a four length lead into the back straight from Bayview Wild in second. The latter made some inroads at the halfway mark, however, ‘Cricket’ showcased some superb bend running to continue to boast a commanding lead out in front. While Glancy’s charge began to tread water in the closing stages, this proved a routine victory for the strapping white and black as he crossed the line with one length to spare over Bayview Wild in second. The final qualifying position went the way of Lodge Road, in a time of 29.32 .10s.

KIELY REMAINS UNBEATEN

Confused Kiely made it four wins on the spin in heat one as he built on a brilliant performance one-week prior in this stakes.

Owned by Gerry Manley, Confused Kiely was installed as the even money favourite, however, he didn’t get everything his own way as he was forced to come from off-the-pace on this occasion. Missing his break from trap three, it was Heathlawn Ruby that showed the superior early gears on the rail to lead. At this point, ‘Kiely’ was two lengths adrift in third, however, he really began to motor at the halfway mark to loom alongside Heathlawn Ruby. Just about getting around with his nose in front at the penultimate bend, the son of Magical Bale was now in control and he saw off a determined Five Alley Syd in the dying strides to maintain his incredible winning run. Just a neck to separate the pair, it was another half-length back to On The Latte in third. The time was 29.34 .10s.

CLASSY COCO

Jasmine Coco was next to score in the third heat of the night as Colm Fitzgerald and Cian Mulrooney’s charge made it back-to-back wins in the stake.

A winner in the opening round in 29.29, Jasmine Coco went to traps as a 2/1 chance and she showed excellent track craft to recover from a tardy start and go second. At this point, the pace was being set by the 1/2 favourite Vernon Mist, however, ‘Coco’ was making steady progress throughout to eat into the deficit. Hitting full throttle around the bottom bend, the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet - Wishful Ali steered a wide course on the run for home and she stormed to the front in the closing yards to see off another fast-finishing rival in the shape of Bosra Bono in second. Hanover Hellboy claimed the final qualifying position, in a time of 29.42 .10s.

MIDGET GOES ONE BETTER

Barntick Midget was forced to settle for second in the opening round, however, Mary Reidy’s lady made every inch of the running this time around to seal a fourth career victory.

Installed as the 5/4 second favourite, Barntick Midget was on the receiving end of a good break from three and she was headed only by Cragataska Black at traprise. However, the ‘Midget’ showed all of her explosive early speed to race to the front on the run-up and thereafter, the blue-brindle opened a sizable advantage down the back. Setting a blistering gallop to the third bend, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Barntick Smokey did come back to the field slightly in the closing yards, however, she kept plenty in reserve to cross the line three lengths clear of Island Badger in second. The time was 29.40 as Hollywell Sky, the 4/5 favourite, finished third.