GER GAR QUICKEST IN TRI-DISTANCE OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

There were no shortage of fine displays at Galway Greyhound Stadium last night and the highlight on the card was the opening round heats of the WGOBA Members Tri-Distance A3/A4.

The fastest of the opening round was Johnny Ger Gar in heat one as Mairead Garrett’s runner made every yard of the running to seal a third career win. Running from trap five, the 2/1 chance flashed from boxes and he got the better of Rossa Rally early on to lead. In control rounding the opener, the son of Eden The Kid and Dream Flyer produced a smart performance thereafter and he was never under any threat of surrendering his lead. Staying on strongly in the closing stages, Johnny Ger Gar crossed the line with five and a half lengths to spare over Orbsen Olive in second. The time was a good 29.27 .20s.

Next best in terms of the clock was Blue Field in heat three as Tommy and Michael Webb’s runner marked his return with a comfortable victory. Running from trap four, the 2/1 chance broke well but was headed early doors by Pinnacle Rio in one. However, this was short-lived as Blue Field took charge at the opener and he proved a class above his rivals thereafter. Drawing clear down the back, the son of Out Of Range and Baibua crossed the line with six and a half lengths in hand over High Heels in second. The time was 29.29 .20s.

In the remaining heat, Crokers Harbour (Droopys Buick - Nushkas Top Gal) made it three wins from just four starts as John Crokers heavyweight tracker just saw off the strong challenge of Banter Blitz late on. Only moderately into stride from trap one, Crokers Harbour showed good early pace to race past Knoppogue Time and Diegos Prince on the run to the turn. Setting a solid gallop thereafter, Crokers Harbour was challenged strongly in the closing stages by Banter Blitz; however he held firm to cross the line with a neck in hand. The time was 29.56 .20s.

ROVER QUICKEST OVER THE STANDARD

The honour of fastest performer over the standard trip on the night was Oaktree Rover in race two as he rewarded his followers in fine style.

Owned by Edward Lewis, Oaktree Rover is just an October whelp but he had caught the eye without winning in previous starts. However, he put everything right last night as he made every post a winner to break his duck in style. Running from trap one, the 6/4 favourite was quickest into stride and he showed fine acceleration to lead the field into the opening corner. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Emmas Dream was never going to be caught as he crossed the line with two and a half lengths in hand over Returning Her in second. The time was 29.08 .20s.

IN OTHER RACES

In race six, Blacklabel Dotty was another to break her maiden tag for joint owners James Egan and Niall Gavin. A 2/1 chance at the off, the daughter of Candlelight King and Lemon Jade took charge early on from trap two before surrendering the lead to Insidethehuddle in the opening strides. However, showing fine determination to take back control, Blacklabel Dotty powered clear in the closing stages to cross the line with four lengths to spare of Abigails Mystery in second. The time was a fast 29.18 .20s.

The Gerard Finn-owned Kilcormack Sky sealed a brilliant fourteenth win in race seven as she posted some nice figures to score. Led early on by Bridgepark Jack in trap five, Kilcormack Sky was never too far off the pace early doors and she took charge off the second turn to string out her rivals. From here, the daughter of Taylors Sky and Kilcormack Aine, a 6/4 chance, stuck to her guns gamely as she crossed the line with over two lengths to spare over Bridgepark Jack in second. The time for the 550-yard trip was a slick 30.20 .20s.