PEARL SHINES IN 2024 FONEZ GALWAY OAKS DECIDER
Peter Farrell
The final of the €10,000 to the winner Fonez Galway Oaks took centre stage at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and there was a very popular winner in the shape of Drombeg Pearl as owner Evan McAuliffe notched a big-race double on the night.
Not only did Evan land the prestigious Oak’s feature, he also landed the supporting act on the card as Drombeg Apollo raced to victory in the €1,750 to the winner Stephen Molloy Memorial 525.
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Kindly sponsored by Gabriel Carey of Fonez, the Oaks decider looked a wide-open contest on paper and connections of all six finalists had reason to be optimistic of a big effort from their respective charges. The likes of Annie On Faya and Westway Rossa had produced the standout performances in the competition up to this point, however, it was the Evan McAuliffe-owned Drombeg Pearl that was the only runner in the line-up that boasted an unbeaten record heading into the €10,000 feature. Seeking a hat-trick of wins from trap three, ‘Pearl’ was her usual reliable self at traprise as she pinged out to dispute the early exchanges with the Damian McGinn-trained Westway Rossa in four. Indeed, the inside line ultimately proved the decisive factor in the final as McGinn’s charge was more than a match for the eventual winner but crucially, could never get to the all-important rail that Drombeg Pearl bravely defended in the early stages.
NIP AND TUCK
Holding a narrow three parts of a length lead entering the back straight, Drombeg Pearl was now in control over Westway Rossa in second, however, the final was still very much up for grabs with neither runner giving an inch at the midway point. Meanwhile, it was a further couple of lengths back to Annie On Faya, who was holding Airfield Katie, in third. Drombeg Pearl continued to assert on the approach to the penultimate bend and with Westway Rossa forced to check her stride at this point, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Kat was one step closer to victory.
MEMORIAL WIN
With the lead now extending to a little over one length between the bottom two bends, Drombeg Pearl held all the aces on the run for home and in truth, barring the persistent efforts of Westway Rossa, the other finalists failed to land a blow on the leader throughout the contest. Staying on stoutly with the winning line in sight, Drombeg Pearl and Evan McAuliffe had a memorable victory within their grasp and although ‘Rossa’ threw down one final challenge, she came up just short as ‘Pearl’ crossed the line with a half a length in hand. The podium was filled by Annie On Faya who was two and a half lengths further back in third. The time was a magnificent 28.80 .10s and congratulations are extended to Evan McAuliffe and the extended McAuliffe Family, who are strong supporters of Galway track.
*****
APOLLO MAKES-ALL IN STEPHEN MOLLOY MEMORIAL
Prior to the Oaks final, Evan McAuliffe sent out a warning as to his kennel form as Drombeg Apollo made every inch of the running to land the Stephen Molloy Memorial 525, which was kindly sponsored by the Molloy Family.
Another that came into the decider boasting an unbeaten record, Drombeg Apollo was actually on four-race unbeaten streak prior to the decider and he kept that run intact with an exhibition of pace and power. Pinging out to lead from three, ‘Apollo’ had Glynnscross Ted for company in the early yards, however, the fawn had too much for his rival as he turned with a handy lead entering the back straight. Lissatouk Dave had improved into second at this point and he looked to be turning the screw on the leader upon the approach to the penultimate bend. However, the son of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Vicie swooped the third turn to once again manufacture daylight and this proved crucial as he stayed on stoutly up the hill to see off Lissatouk Dave in second. One length separating the pair, the time was 29.04 .10s.
*****
SPRING LADY LANDS CRAFTY UNRACED
The first final on the card was the ‘Crafty Kennels Unraced ON2 525’ and this was landed by Spring Lady as she went one better than her second place finish on debut.
Trained by Murt Leahy for Siomha Malone, Spring Lady was a red-hot favourite on debut as she was beaten at odds of 4/6, however, she clearly learnt plenty from her first outing as she recovered brilliantly to take home the €1,200 first prize. From a level break it was Crafty Fritto that narrowly led but Spring Lady showed fine early pace to loom alongside the leader and this inevitably led to traffic at the opener. As a result, Hollywell Cruise was left a long way in front and Spring Lady had plenty on her plate in her efforts to bridge a seven length gap down the back straight. However, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Lovee Dovee really got to work at the midway point as she closed the gap with every stride approaching the final two bends. Looking a potent threat at this point, Spring Lady had the momentum in behind and she flew up the home straight to reel in the gallant, but fading, Hollywell Cruise. One and a half lengths separating the duo crossing the line, the time was 29.43 .10s.
CLAUDE CLAIMS GALWAY REGULARS DECIDER
Albert Mullins is never too far away from the winner’s circle at Galway and he landed the Galway Regulars A5 525 with Claudegreengrass.
Owned by Larry Keleghan, Claudegreengrass landed his semi final assignment in good style and as a result, he was a leading player in the €750 decider. Donning the blue jacket for connections, ‘Claude’ took an absolute flier from his inside berth and he already held a two length advantage over Hit The Diss and Banter Buzz, who were disputing second place, rounding the opener. Quickly asserting, the son of Magical Bale and Notimetotalk was always in charge thereafter and while it looked like he was lapsing around the bottom two bends with both Hit The Diss and Hanover Mellie edging closer, he found a second wind on the run for home to cross the line and record a comfortable win. Three and a half lengths clear, the time for Claudegreengrass was a fast 29.20 .10s.