WESTWAY ROSSA STEALS THE SHOW IN LIFFORD OAKS SEMI-FINALS

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks once again drew a large crowd to the Northwest venue on Saturday night and it was Westway Rossa who lit up the track with a performance of real class and determination.

After encountering trouble in the opening round, questions lingered over whether Henry Scimia’s charge could bounce back when drawn in what looked a red-hot second semi-final alongside Magical Mag and Hackney Tango. Those doubts were emphatically answered as Westway Rossa produced a display brimming with pace, power, and determination to claim a thrilling victory.

Magical Mag, trained by Patrick Guilfoyle, was widely regarded as the one to beat following her near miss in the opening round, and she looked every bit the part early on. Exploding from trap one, she posted a sizzling 2.55 sectional, hugging the rail to dictate the early running. Blue Belle and Fridays April gave chase on the run-up, while Westway Rossa sat close behind in fourth, biding her time. Westway Rossa showed excellent early speed to improve from fourth to second rounding the opening bend and then sat just two lengths adrift entering the back straight. At that stage, Magical Mag appeared to have matters well in hand, running a terrific second bend to extend her advantage to four lengths at the halfway mark.

ROSSA REELS IN MAG

But as the famous Lifford hill loomed, the complexion of the race changed dramatically. The long run home has claimed many top-class performers over the years and this time, it was Magical Mag who felt the pinch. With both Westway Rossa and Hackney Tango finishing strongly, the petrol gauge was clearly flickering on the leader. Showing real grit and stamina, Westway Rossa surged up the inside, taking control in the final strides to win by one and a quarter lengths from Magical Mag, who held on gamely for second. Hackney Tango also finished with purpose, just a further length adrift in third. In far from ideal conditions, the Damian McGinn-trained daughter of Good News stopped the clock in a blistering 28.54, stamping her authority as a leading contender heading into the final.

MYA MAKES-ALL

While Magical Mag had to settle for second in the later semi-final, Pat Guilfoyle didn’t leave the night empty-handed as his talented runner Daleroad Mya (Explosive Boy - Razldazl Mya) produced a superb front-running display to claim victory in the opening semi-final.

Owned by Thomas O’Keeffe, Daleroad Mya wasn’t among the fancied contenders beforehand, with Singalong Polly and Magical Sapphire attracting the bulk of the market support. However, any doubts were quickly silenced when Guilfoyle’s charge exploded from trap three, showing brilliant early dash to seize control from the outset. In behind, Magical Sapphire and Ashmar Una disputed second, but an early tangle between the pair allowed ‘Mya’ to stretch her lead to three lengths entering the back straight. Ashmar Una soon broke clear of the chasing pack and began to reduce the deficit, but the leader’s proven stamina over the six-bend trip made her a tough target to reel in.

THRILLING FINISH

Turning for home, Ashmar Una launched a determined challenge as she closed to within a length around the final bends, in turn setting up a thrilling finish. Yet, showing tremendous heart and determination, Daleroad Mya dug deep up the hill to hold on gamely by a neck at the line. A blanket finish behind decided the third and final qualifying place, with Magical Sapphire rallying strongly after early trouble to snatch the spot in a tight photo. That result means Pat Guilfoyle will now be responsible for half of next week’s BoyleSports Lifford Oaks finalists, which is a remarkable achievement in itself. The winning time was 28.94, sealing an impressive all-the-way success for Daleroad Mya.

*****

KNOCKOUT BLOW FOR MANILA IN NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES SEMIS

The supporting act on Saturday night’s card came in the shape of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A3/A4 525 semi-finals and it was Meenagh Manila who set the benchmark in the second heat for owner Michael Corr.

Corr was doubly represented in the contest with State Legend and Meenagh Manila, but it was the latter who took centre stage. Breaking smartly from trap two, ‘Manila’ showed fine early pace to lead Saoirse’s Girl into the opening bend. Holding an advantage of just over a length entering the back straight, the race was hers to lose at this point, particularly given the known stamina limitations of Saoirse’s Girl in pursuit. Setting a strong gallop down the far side, the Broadstrand Bono – Meenagh Miracle daughter kept her rival at bay around the penultimate bend before staying on powerfully up the hill. Despite a late surge from Ballymac Jedgar, Meenagh Manila dug in bravely to prevail by half a length at the line, stopping the clock in a smart 29.15. Indeed, this proved a fruitful contest for owner Michael Corr as he will have two finalists in next week’s decider with State Legend also qualifying in third.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR BALLYBUN RANGER

In the opening semi final, Ballybun Ranger also showed grit and determination to make it back-to-back wins for Adrian McGlinchey and Alan Byrne.

A poor draw in six saw questions posed to Ballybun Ranger, however, he answered emphatically early on and he blitzed his rivals in the opening yards to take a comfortable lead into the back. The well-placed Slicer set off in chase down the back and he looked to have the number of ‘Ranger’ at the halfway mark, closing the gap to just three parts of a length. However, Byrne’s tracker showed excellent heart at the head of proceedings to kick on again around the bottom two bends, before just edging out Slicer at the winning line. Just a neck between the pair, the time was 29.30.