Derry Greyhounds: Another Marvel-lous performance by Drumcrow

The two semi-finals of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 were the feature events on Monday’s 8 race programme at the Brandywell. There were 5 contests over the 4 bends on the card but we kicked off with proceedings with a couple of sprint events.

First up Oliver Canavan’s Fagans Rocky (Dromana Bucko x Fagans Newinn, Sep ’22) earned his place on the winner’s podium after trapping well from the 6 box. He moved across to rails by the first bend and from there stretched his lead to 2 lengths when clocking 16.97 for the 300 yards. This was an impressive effort for Rocky from a tricky draw on what was only his second career start.

Meenagh Moscow (Blame The Game x Meenagh Melody, Apr ’23) went into a few notebooks after making an impressive racing debut in Race 2. Well away from trap 1, she afforded herself plenty of room and made every yard of the running to score in 16.80 by 2.75 lengths for Michael Corr. With youth and early pace on her side, she is a lady that certainly inspires thoughts about what she might achieve in time.

Michael Corr celebrated a quick fire double with a winner, as trainer, of Spring Time (Black Parachute x Velvet Spring, Oct ’22) in race 3 over the 500 yards. Owned by Roy Ball & Trevor Pearson, Spring Time moved slightly middle from trap 2 on the run to the first turn. Sandwiched between runners, she bravely strode on ahead of them exiting the second turn. From there she kept on well to win by 1.5 lengths, clocking a fast 27.68.

The 1st Semi-Final of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 went the way of Drumcrow Marvel (Drumcrow Darwin x Drumcrow Holly, Sep ’22). He recorded the fastest clock in the first round last week and did so again in this round with a 29.22 effort from trap 2. Well away from boxes, he was soon in command and won by 1.25 lengths from La Calabaza in second with Fayes Diamond a further 1.75 lengths away in third. Owned by Roy Ruddy, the hopes of Marvel’s connections will be high ahead of next week’s final.

Tuttles Bruno (Good News x Tuttles Twilight, Jul ’21) returned to winning ways and something like his Brandywell Derby winning form of 2023 by winning the 2nd Semi-Final of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 in 29.47 for Michael & Rory Stewart. It was quite a Herculean effort from Bruno after a tardy start from the 5 box.

He tucked in behind the leaders at the first turn and exited the 2nd turn in 5th place. Indeed he also exited the 4th turn in 5th place but his stamina kicked in and he stormed up the home straight for a thrilling win by 1.5 lengths from Shanahee Monty in second and Wee Chancer in third.

Brandywell Race 2, The Brandywell 300 was won by MEENAGH MOSCOW in 16.80. Pictured with owner Michael Corr.

The Trap Draw for the Final is; Trap 1 Fayes Diamond, Trap 2 Wee Chancer, Trap 3 Drumcrow Marvel, Trap 4 Shanahee Monty, Trap 5 La Calabaza, Trap 6 Tuttles Bruno.

Andrew O’Neill generously sponsors a bag of dog kibble each week for one of the race winners at Brandywell and this week the Ruddy family’s luck was in when Roy Ruddy’s father Harold won Race 6, and the bag of kibble, to complete a family double on the night. Drumcrow Rena (Drumcrow Darwin x Drumcrow Holly, Sep ’22), a litter sister of Marvel who won Race 4, also completed a litter double, claiming some limelight for herself with a sterling effort from trap 6 to land the spoils.

Keeping a wide to middle course throughout, Rena had some 5 or so lengths to make up on the early leaders heading into the back straight but she kept up a steady gallop throughout and got up just in time by 0.75 lengths to clock a pleasing 29.62 for the 525 yards.

Mineola Oyster (Mineola Farloe x Mineola Coolagh, Sep ’22) ran a determined race to win Race 7 over the 500 yards. Seamus McCloskey’s home bred lady relinquished her maiden tag on her 7th attempt. Only moderately away from trap 2, Oyster got crowed at the first bend but still got herself into second place entering the back straight. She showed impressive pace to take up the lead by the third turn and ran on well to win by 3.5 lengths in 28.54. She looks the sort that is open to further improvement with age and experience.

Brandywell Race 6 was won by DRUMCROW RENA in 29.62. Pictured with Roy Ruddy.

Charlie Baxter continued his recent rich vein of form with a winner in the finale. His homebred Generous Cashout (Ballymac Best x Generous Daisy, Sep ’22) flashed out from trap 2 and made every yard of the running. His clock was an impressive 16.71 and it was a second consecutive win for Cashout who won in Drumbo in a smart 18.02 last time out.

Sweepstakes

It was all about the sweepstakes at Lifford over the weekend as the track build towards their big GOBA night this coming Sunday.

The first stake to get underway was the ‘G.R Scaffolding S6/S7 325’ and it was Comer Runaway that set the standard in the opening semi final. A well-supported 4/5 chance, owned by the On-The-Run-Synd, has proved costly to follow in recent starts but proved a class above his rivals on this occasion.

A son of Great Blue Shark and Coolavanny Muir, the black was led early on, however, outpaced his rivals in the opening exchanges before powering up the hill to score comfortably by an extending one length. The time was 17.85.

The favourite duly obliged in the second semi final also as Titanic Bucks justified his 4/6 price tag. Owned by James Campbell, the son of Burgess Bucks and Titanic Peggy was out with the washing early on, however, big traffic at the opener saw the orange jacketed runner slip through to take charge. In doing so, ‘Bucks’ stormed up the hill to win by a massive nine lengths in a time of 17.94.

The ‘Tasty Reel A7 & Lower 525’ was next on the agenda and Dromrich Ferdiad ensured he will go into this weekend’s decider as an odds-on chance for David Byrne.

Sunday @ Lifford; Race 8 - GOODNIGHT AND SAFE HOME A2 525 was won by PIVATOL TIME in 28.85. Pictured with Cora Mc Clelland.

Installed as the 6/4 favourite, the son of Lenson Rocky and Dromrich Rigel just nipped around clear of his rivals at the opening bend and this proved decisive as he emerged a five length winner over the staying-on Timeslastcall in second. The time was 29.58. In the second semi, this was a very messy affair that saw kennel companion, Dromrich Galaxy, get up by the slenderest of margins to win by a short head from Corgrigg Tobben in second. The time was 30.38.

The last of the sweepstakes was the ‘Hearts & Minds A5/A6 Dual Distance’ and this was a close affair in terms of the clock as just five spots separated Sunshine Kid and Moyola Mac Tire. ‘Sunshine’ landed the first semi final as he made it back-to-back wins for Laurence Crossan.

A well-supported 2/1 chance, this fine tracker took charge early on as he outpaced his rivals in the early exchanges to build a healthy advantage. Tartan Grace emerged from the pack and finished with a wet sail; however, it was too little too late as Sunshine Kid (Broadstrand Bono – Venice) obliged by three parts of a length, in 29.30. Moyola Mac Tire was next to show his hand as he got back to winning ways for Gerry Bradley of Derry.

A tracker that has mixed it in much better company in the past, this was just the downgrade he required as he bolted from trap one to dictate from the outset. In doing so, there was never any threat to the strong-running son of Ballymac Bolger as he crossed the line a facile, three and a half-length winner. The time was 29.25.

On Sunday afternoon, there were some outstanding performance and Izzys Jessie was the first to produce a terrific clock in her sprint contest.

Saturday @ Lifford; Race 8 - The HEARTS & MINDS A5/A6 DUAL DISTANCE 525/550 Semi-Final was won by MOYOLA MAC TIRE in 29.25. Pictured with George Cregan Snr and Jnr.

Owned by Ann Breslin, who is a great supported of the North-West venue, the daughter of King Sheeran is one of the best when on-song and she bolted from three to stop the sectional clock in 4.20. As a result, it was game-over for her rivals as she ran out a six and three parts of a length winner, in a brilliant 17.48.

Over the standard trip, Pivatol Time returned to her very best as she easily fended off her rivals in the concluding contest. Even money in the market, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Pro Melody made no mistakes at traprise this time around as she pinged out wearing red to immediately dictate proceedings. Dance Cooper gave chase entering the back, however, there was never any feeling that Pivatol Time would be pegged back as she maintained a strong gallop to win by one and a quarter lengths. The time was a rapid 28.85.