CRAFTY COOLIO A NAME TO REMEMBER

Peter Farrell

Friday night’s card at Galway was dominated by novice action, but it was January ’25 whelp Crafty Coolio who stole the headlines with a breath-taking debut success in the semi-finals of the Bet on the Tote ON2/ON3 350.

Representing the renowned Divilly family kennel, who are long associated with producing top-class greyhounds, the son of Droopys Got It – Up The Stylearrived with a big reputation following an impressive qualifying campaign and was duly sent off the 4/6 favourite. From trap four, Shane and Eimear Divilly’s youngster pinged the lids and immediately showcased electric early speed to seize complete control on the run to the opening bend. Once in front, Crafty Coolio never looked in danger. Stretching further clear with every stride, the powerful youngster put seven lengths between himself and nearest rival Rockmount Kismet, stopping the clock in a sensational 18.86 .5s, one of the fastest times seen at Galway in recent years. Considering he is still only 17 months old, the performance carried big significance and marked him down as a greyhound with an extremely high ceiling. With his dam Up The Style having shown exceptional ability herself, the pedigree appears to be shining through in what could prove another terrific talent from the Divilly production line.

While Crafty Coolio stole the headlines, the second semi final also produced a fine display from Brickhill Dan (Grangeview Ten - Twentylittletoes).

Jointly owned by Albert Long and John Collins, ‘Dan’ was sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite and the brindle broke best of all from trap three to assert. Holding a lead of just over a length into the opener from Lissatouk Sydney in second, the latter made a real fist of things on the Galway hill, however, Brickhill Dan kept just enough in reserve to emerge victorious. Just a head separating the pair, the time was a brisk 19.15 .5s.

PLAY MATE LANDS SPRINT FINAL

The final of the 600-to-the-winner I.R.G.T Dual Distance S6/S7 325/350 was the highlight prior to racing and this was landed in comfortable fashion by 2/1 chance Play Mate.

Owned by Philip Mullaney, Play Mate was a winner of her semi final contest in 18.01 and she was to double her career tally to win in similarly easy style. Drawn in one, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Crescent Tibet was headed in the early exchanges by Peteles Prospect in six but paced up well to use her inside berth in one to her advantage. Scraping the paintwork, Play Mate took charge between the bottom two bends before powering up the home straight to draw clear by five lengths. The time was 19.36 .5s.

PARROTT SETS BARKING BUZZ STANDARD

In the other novice stake, the ‘Barking Buzz App ON2/3 350’, the standard was set by the Gerry Holian-trained Long Parrott.

Magical Faye was installed as the 4/7 favourite in this contest but she had no answers to Brian Doyle’s Long Parrott (6/4) in the early exchanges. Donning the white jacket, the son of Signet Ace - My Little Ivy showed terrific early speed to lead by three lengths around the opening bend. Looking an easy winner at this point, Magical Faye was mowing down the leader in the closing stages, however, Long Parrott just held on to score by a neck. The time was 19.18 .5s. The opening semi was landed by Ballyea Marshall for Owen McDonagh and Noel Gavin. A strapping blue son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Merkle, he proved three and a half lengths too strong for Seekers Dream, in 19.64 .5s.

ELSEWHERE

Elsewhere on the card, the Hogan kennel enjoyed a fine double as Five Alley Rocky and Five Alley Chief both landed their respective contests.

The first to score was Five Alley Rocky, who made it two wins from his last three starts. Drawn in four, the son of Ballymac Cooper - Five Alley Star emerged from a level start to take full control at the second bend. Proving too strong thereafter, ‘Rocky’ landed the knock-out blow, crossing the line five and a half lengths clear, in a career best 29.26 .10s.

In the concluding contest, Five Alley Chief made it three career wins for Paul and Olivia Hogan. Led early by Confused Kiely, his inside berth in one proved decisive as he nipped around the inside early on to seize control. In doing so, the son of King Sheeran - Hopalong Sal emerged two lengths clear of Boardofpeace in 29.29 .10s.