PADDY O’GORMAN FINAL HIGHLIGHTS TOP GALWAY CARD

Peter Farrell

It’s a big night at Galway Greyhound Stadium as the €2,000-to-the-winner Paddy O’Gorman A3/A4 525 final takes centre stage.

Kindly sponsored by the W.G.O.B.A., the competition has oozed quality from the outset, and the decider itself is wide open, so much so that installing a solid favourite is no easy task. On the clock, On The Latt emerges as the one to beat after posting 28.94 from off the pace last weekend. Owned by Gerry O’Donoghue, the experienced son of Broadstrand Bono sealed his twelfth career victory in the semis and arrives as the only unbeaten runner in the event. That said, any slip-up in a final of this calibre could prove costly.

Chief among his challengers are the bookend duo of Heathlawn Ruby and Crafty Elegatto. Heathlawn Ruby, owned by Martin and Rose Kelly, is as game as they come and will relish a plum draw in trap one. Strong from start to finish, she will be storming home if she can secure a good early pitch. Crafty Elegatto, meanwhile, remains a major player despite settling for third in the semis. Prior to that, Peter and Brian Divilly’s daughter of Ballymac Bolger impressed with a 29.02 return. Consistency is key for this talented lady, but if she can produce one of her mid–3.30 sectionals, she’ll be right in the mix given her powerful running style.

While that trio are likely to feature prominently, Flyers Swiftly also commands serious respect for Colm, Michael and Liam Fitzgerald. The youngest runner in the line-up as an April puppy, she set a blistering gallop last weekend before being reeled in late by On The Latt. Given her age, she is the improver of the sextet and has an excellent draw in trap two. If she leads, it could easily turn into a catch-me-if-you-can scenario.

The remaining finalists, Rinnwood Leo and Lilys Beauty, bring both experience and the ability to stretch a field. Rinnwood Leo, trained by Des Flaherty, is the likeliest pacesetter but has shown vulnerability late. With a clear path to the bend from trap four, he will be dangerous if establishing a lead into the back straight. Lilys Beauty, once a class act, still retains enough ability to have a say. Drawn in three, Tommy Richardson’s son of Laughil Blake may start the outsider but is not without hope of making the frame if reproducing his sharp 3.26 sectional from round one.

In a genuinely open final, the narrow vote goes to the improver, Flyers Swiftly. Fitzgerald’s charge made virtually every yard last weekend before a late surge from On The Latt, and she may have just enough to turn the tables one week on.

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS ON2/3 350

Sponsored by Greyhound Racing Ireland, a handsome €1,000 winner’s purse is up for grabs in the Christmas Party Nights ON2/3 350.

Ballyea Warrior heads into the final bidding for a clean sweep, and the Declan McDonagh-trained runner is likely to head the market. Drawn in five, the imposing son of Ballymac Kingdom and Wolfallofallstreets possesses sharp early speed and will look to seize control from the outset. The other unbeaten runner, Flyers Penney, lines out for Colm Fitzgerald and the Flyers Racing Syndicate. She was well supported in the semis (4/6) and benefits from the rails draw, giving her every chance to make her presence felt. However, she must find a chunk on the clock if she is to make it three-from-three. Of the remainder, Drombeg King stands out as the one most likely to trouble the principals. Evan McAuliffe is doubly represented, but it was Drombeg King, a son of King Sheeran, who finished with a flourish last time, only narrowly failing to reel in Ballyea Warrior. With a slightly sharper break tonight, he is well capable of turning the tables.

TIME CLUB SEMIS

Kindly sponsored by TIME, the semi-finals of the TIME Club 525 take centre stage, with Noelles Santiago expected to go close in the opening heat. A winner in 29.58 last time out, the son of Dromana Bucko has now notched two wins from three starts and is clearly progressing. Among his chief dangers is the early-paced Glasheen Model in trap four.

In the second semi-final, Drombeg Milo is the one they all have to beat. The son of Run Happy shed his maiden tag in impressive style last weekend, posting a strong 29.43 while pulling clear from the three-quarter mark. That effort should have given Evan McAuliffe’s charge a healthy dose of confidence, and he looks poised to take off again from trap three. His principal rivals include Burkos Breeze on the inside in one, and Balrobuck Ash drawn wide in six.