IMPRESSIVE DISPLAYS ON SHOW AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

With Connacht Rugby set to have their first game at their new pitch later this evening, Galway Greyhound Stadium ran their regular Friday night meeting last night and it produced a series of eye-catching performances.

Straight from the off there were some fine displays and it was the Michael Rafferty-owned Effernogue Tye who got the show on the road in the opener. Running from trap three, the 2/1 shot had failed to land a blow in his previous two starts over the sprint distance but a step up in trip really paid dividends for the January 21’ youngster as he won in emphatic fashion. A very astute €900 purchase at the Kilkenny sales back in July, Effernogue Tye broke well from trap three and after showing electric early gears to the opening turn, it was clear he was going to prove a class above his rivals. Drawing clear down the back, the son of Pestana and Ballymac Helena set a blistering gallop throughout and he was eight and a half lengths too strong for nearest rival, Bumblebee Love, crossing the line. The time was a fast 29.19 .20s.

AULTON QUICKEST

Aulton Super is in brilliant form of late having won two of his last three starts and he extended that run in race six to post the fastest time of the session.

Trained by Vincent McKenna for Patrick Hogan, Aulton Super won over 550-yards last time out but he stepped back in trip to run away with his 525-yard A2 contest last night. Running from trap two, the son of Superior Product and Portumna West bolted from traps and he took a two length lead around the opening turn. Not too much in it down the back, it was the second half of the contest where Aulton Super excelled to go further ahead. Staying on strongly rounding the bottom two bends, Hogan’s charge stormed across the line to win by six and a half lengths from Danmar Corona in second. The time for the 6/4 chance was 29.01 .20s.

SMART DISPLAYS

Elsewhere on the card, there were a couple of smart performances from both Bumblebee Lana and Almost There.

The first of those scorers was Almost There for the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate in race three. A novice affair, Almost There was installed as the 4/5 favourite and the blue certainly didn't disappoint in running out a convincing winner. Quickly into stride from trap two, the son of Sonic and Mrs Will put this contest to bed early doors after taking control at the opening turn. Setting a powerful gallop down the back, Almost There was never under threat and prevailed by five and a half lengths to Jonny Whiskers in second. The time was 29.33 .20s.

Shortly after, Bumblebee Lana sealed an eighth career success for Paddy and Paul Burke. Indeed, the daughter of Ballymac Vic and Bumblebee Rosie took an absolute flier from trap three and already held a four length advantage rounding the opening turn. Extending that lead to a significant six lengths down the back, Bumblebee Lana looked home and hosed until Creevy Silver started to make rapid inroads rounding the final two turns. However, ‘Lana’ wasn’t to be denied on this occasion and despite running on empty in the closing stage, she held firm to win by a head from the eye-catching Creevy Silver in second. The time was 29.30 .20s