MAGICMAN LANDS GREENES MEATS DECIDER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The final of the €1,200-to-the-winner Greenes Meats ON2/ON3 525 featured at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and Magicman bounced back from his semi-final defeat to land the spoils for Michael Keating.

Magicman had been strongly supported on both previous starts and, while he landed victory on debut in 29.52, his colours were lowered in the semi-finals when beaten by Hanover Grace. However, there was enough in that defeat to suggest he was more than capable of bouncing back and he did just that in the decider on Saturday night.

Drawn in five, the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Pats Angela was slowly into stride, posting a poor 3.58 sectional, however, early traffic amongst his rivals allowed him to gather momentum. Making steady progress at the halfway mark, Keating’s charge swept to the front approaching the three-quarter mark and showcased his strong-running abilities thereafter, drawing clear of Hanover Grace to reverse the semi-final form in style.

Crossing the line three and a half lengths clear, the time was 29.66 on a track rated .20s slow. Still only a February ’25 puppy, Magicman remains very much unexposed and looks certain to improve markedly in the coming months.

OZARK DOUBLE

Aside from the final, there was also a nice double for the Finerty kennel as Ozark Sassy and Ozark Magic landed their respective contests.

‘Sassy’ was first to strike in an A5 525 for Tracy Finerty. A September ’24 daughter of McInerney - Cashen Ubari, she led early from trap one and, despite surrendering the advantage down the back, rallied strongly on the rails to get the nod by a neck from Killaspic Lotto in second. The time was 29.64 .20s.

Shortly after, Ozark Magic completed the double as she produced the fastest time of the night for Kian Finerty-Daly. Searching for a first career victory, the daughter of Sober Glory - Assarula Runner played second fiddle to Up The Jimmys for much of the contest, however, she arrived with a well-timed challenge to pounce late and race to a three-parts-of-a-length victory. The time was a smart 29.29 .20s.