KID A CLASS ABOVE IN NWGOBA DECIDER AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

The feature race on Friday night’s card at Lifford was the final of the NWGOBA A5/A6 525 and in rather predictable fashion, it was Stefans Kid who maintained his unbeaten record in the stake as he won at his leisure.

Sponsored by the Northwest Greyhound owners and breeders association, Stefans Kid was all the rage heading into the decider, so much so that there was market for the winning margin, and he certainly didn’t disappoint for his Armagh owner Shea Campbell.

With €1,200 on offer, Stefans Kid was understandably installed as the 4/7 favourite after two brilliant performances in the rounds prior when clocking 28.76 and 28.90 respectively. Next best in the market was Sleepy Millie at 5/1 but in truth, barring incident, this was to be a straightforward night’s work for the promising son of Droopys Sydney and Fridays Doll.

Running from trap five, ‘Kid’ was narrowly headed by Rosshill Wildcat at traprise, however, had his opponent reeled in within a matter of strides as he took a comfortable lead around the opening corner. Already a foregone conclusion at this point, Campbell’s November puppy took off down the back straight and showed his usual staying power to draw clear and win by six and a half lengths. Rosshill Wildcat claimed second with a fine display for Willie Mullan, while Stellas Secret filled the podium for local trainer Paul Whyte. The time was a good 28.96.

TYNAN DOUBLE

PJ Tynan once again made the long trip from Galway but it proved fruitful as he got his usual winner in races six and eight, the first of which the subject of a big gamble.

Owned by Sean Hackett, Port West Maui came in for huge market support and as such, she went off at odds of 4/6 to double her career tally. Quickest into stride from six, this was never a race as the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Rural Maui set a brilliant gallop before crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Fridays Acclaim in second. The time was 29.15.

Shortly after, in the concluding race, Reasontobelieve looked very well handicapped in an A3/A4 contest and he justified this with a demolition job on his rivals.

The 6/4 favourite, Reasontobelieve was narrowly beaten by the impressive Abigails Muffin last time out and in truth, anything close to that performance would have been enough to take care of his rivals. Running from five, the son of Azza Azza Azza and Hayeses Turbo broke very well on the outer to take a comfortable lead around the opening corner. Drawing clear thereafter, a pair of binoculars would have been required in behind as he proved several classes above to cross the line with fourteen lengths in hand of Tomb Bomb in second. The time was 29.09.

CONSOLATION FOR COYLE

Charles Coyle was represented by no fewer than three runners in the consolation final and it went perfectly for the Derry owner as he secured a one, two, three crossing the line. McCaffs Girl was installed as the 7/4 favourite at the off, however, she never got into the race as With Luck, a 2/1 shot, won convincingly from kennel companion, Scania Lad, in second. Over five lengths in hand, the time for the son of Skywalker Canny was 29.38.