ELEGATTO SETS THE STANDARD IN PADDY O’GORMAN OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The opening-round heats of the Paddy O’Gorman A3/A4 525 headlined an eight-race card at Galway on Friday night, and early indications suggest the €2,000-to-the-winner stake will take plenty of winning.

Of the four heats, it was Crafty Elegatto who set the benchmark as he returned to form in emphatic style for Peter and Brian Divilly. A tracker who shaped like a serious prospect during the September Unraced, the son of Ballymac Bolger had endured a couple of rough passages in recent outings. Last night, however, he reminded all of his ability with an off-the-pace masterclass. Sent off at 2/1, ‘Elegatto’ was headed early by Brickhill Como in four but tracked cleverly to move into second around the opening bend. From there, Divilly’s youngster swept past the early leader to carry a length-and-a-half advantage into the penultimate turn over Hanover Mellie. Crafty Elegatto then turned the screw up the home straight to score by two and a half lengths in a fast 29.02.

HEAT WATCH

Heat two saw the experienced On The Latt record an eleventh career victory as he made every post a winner for owner Gerry O’Donoghue. A notably consistent and versatile sort, ‘Latt’ was sent off at 3/1 and exploded from trap six, sweeping around the outside to assert. Holding a narrow lead into the back, the Broadstrand Bono - Brickhill Sharon dog maintained a wide course throughout and, despite the best efforts of Heathlawn Ruby, kept enough in reserve to land a two-length success in 29.21.

Lilys Beauty (Laughil Blake - Droopys Viola) justified her 2/1 favouritism in heat three, showing real determination to fend off her rivals. Owned by Tommy Richardson, she was aiming for a tenth career win and looked on track when pinging the lids to lead early. However, the early-paced Heathlawn Best swept past on the run-up to take control. A top sprinter, Heathlawn was always going to be vulnerable late, and Lilys Beauty duly reclaimed the lead at the penultimate bend. Flyers Swiftly emerged as the next challenger, powering into second, but Lilys held on by half a length in 29.26.

The concluding heat saw Rinnwood Leo return to winning ways for the Flaherty-Family-Syndicate. A strong even-money favourite, ‘Leo’ was seeking an incredible eighteenth career success and stamped his authority early, taking command from trap four. The son of Pestana - Rinnwood Pearl opened a commanding lead down the back and, barring mishap, the result was never in doubt. Though Breaghmore Tilly cut the margin to two lengths late on, Rinnwood Leo was always comfortable and stopped the clock in 29.18.