Brandywell; Joyce Scott with her first ever winners at Brandywell. Saggie Aggie (left) & Avongate Christy (right).
There was a 7 race programme at Brandywell on Monday evening with Race 3 being declared void after a technical hitch with the lure.
However there were some noteworthy performances to enjoy and none more so than to see the soon to be veteran, Killmacs Best (Ballymac Best x Killmacdonagh, Mar ’21), get the better of his rivals in a tight buckle to land his fourth successive win.
Kealan O’Kane’s Best lined up from trap 2 in Race 6 over the 500 yards and paced up well to the first bend, tucking in behind Moyola Wojtec on his outside at the first turn.
Best had narrowed the deficit on the leader approaching the third bend and slipped around the inside of him to take up the lead which he held by 1 length as the pair crossed the finish line. The time was 28.51.
There was a terrific double on the night for Joyce Scott when she won with both Avongate Christy and Saggie Aggie. In Race 1 over the 300 yards, Avongate Christy (Dorotas Wildcat x Avongate Nova, Oct ’22) was only moderately away from trap 3 and looked to have lost his chance.
Brandywell Race 2, 300 Yds was won by IVY GIRL in 17.40. Pictured with (from left) Brooklyn Lynch, winning owner Thomas Brennan, Harry McGuinness who is presenting Ivy Grace McKane with the Tralee Snooker Club Trophy sponsored by Tommy Dowling.
However, he made good progress to lie in third place at the first turn but still had plenty of ground to make up on the leaders. Christy was determined and kept up a strong gallop to be duly rewarded with his first career success. He won by 0.75 lengths in 17.34.
Joyce Scott also won Race 5 with Saggie Aggie (Malachi x Dragonfly, Nov ’22). Aggie had already won in the Show Ring but got her first racing success after showing good trackcraft to win over the 500 yards. Moderately away from trap 6, Aggie was only in third place at the first turn but the leader moved wide at the second turn and Aggie said thank you very much and nipped up the inside. From there she ran on well to win by 2.75 lengths in 28.73.
There was another J Scott victory when Johnny Scott won Race 7 over the 300 yards with Ferndale Power (Ballyhimikin Jet x Great Jet, May ’23). This lad has been showing stead improvement in his races and ran a very gutsy race again.
Well away from trap 5, he paced up to the first turn on the outside of the early paced Townsend Swift. She looked to be holding off Power’s challenge around the bends but he was too strong for her on the run home and got the verdict by 1.5 lengths in 17.09 for the 300 yards.
Ivy Girl (Watchman x Colossal Melody, May ’23) made it 2 wins from only 2 starts when she landed Race 2 over 300 yards. Owned by Thomas Brennan, Ivy was slow away from trap 6 but kept a wide berth as she flew up to the first turn and around the whole field on her inside to shoot into an unassailable lead. The winning time and distance was 17.40 by 4.75 lengths.
Dog With Most Wins at Brandywell in 2024 is staking his claims for the title this year already. Newsreel (Good News x Oldburrin Queen, May ’21) landed Race 4 over the 500 yards with a faultless performance from his favourite trap 6.
Brandywell Race 6 500 yds was won by KILLMACS BEST in 28.51. Pictured with Kevin O’Kane.
The whole field moved to the first bend in a line with Blackstone Senna taking up the lead on the inside and Newsreel looming up on her outside. As they got to the third bend, Newsreel surged around the outside of Senna in a race winning move. He drew away from his rivals to win by 3.75 lengths in 27.76.
Whoop Whoop, thanks for the memories.
Sad news reached us during the week that ex-Brandywell star Whoop Whoop (Droopys Scolari x Texas Razzle, born 2012) has gone to rainbow bridge at the grand old age of 12.5 years. Her owner Mark Duffy had great success with her on the tracks where she won 15 of her 54 races, including an incredible 5 in a row at Brandywell.
She also won the prestigious Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint Final in 2015 at the circuit. Whoop will no doubt be missed by her litter sister Rampant Razzle as they have spent their whole life together. Rampant is thankfully still in good health and enjoying her retirement with Mark and his family.
Action from Lifford Greyhound Stadium
The final of the ‘February ON2/ON3 325’ served as the feature at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday past and this was landed by the even money favourite, Ballybun Ranger (Ballymac Bolger – Illnotbeback).
A fine winner of his debut start in 18.03, Adrian McGlinchey’s runner was slowly into stride on this occasion from four, however, showed a lovely turn of early speed to get back into contention amongst a closely knit pack at the opener. Bumping up top played into the paws of ‘Ranger’ as he tracked brilliantly to storm up the Lifford hill and seal a one length victory over Longrange Aldo in second. The time was a much improved 17.80.
Robert Ayres (left) was presented with the Nemesis Trophy by Martin McLaughlin after Beepers Mary was voted our favourite performer at our 10th Feb race meeting. Trophy sponsored by Niall McGhee.
Elsewhere on the card, the semi finals of the Fitzwilliam A3/A4 525 also featured and it was Reenaderry Road that went narrowly quickest for Brian Robinson. Just an August puppy, the 5/2 chance was fast away from trap three to be headed only by Starcash Barry in two. Quickly racing to the front off the second bend, the son of Serene Ace and Cricket Wall never saw another tail thereafter as he set a smart gallop to stay on stoutly and win by three and a half lengths. The time was a decent 29.29.
Prior to that, Ballintoher Bud left it late to grab his second career win for Willie Mullan. Breaking well from his trap four berth, the 4/1 chance was led by Snooty Liam for the majority of the contest, however, displayed the superior stamina in the closing yards to storm past his rival and seal a one length victory. The time was 29.34.
Another treble
On Sunday evenings SIS card, there was another treble for the kennel of Austin Maxwell as Crokers Mick, Wrong Price and Ollys Ten all emerged victorious. The pick of the treble was the popular Ollys Ten, who finally grabbed a well-deserved victory for his fine efforts in prior starts.
A tracker that you can set your watch by at traprise, ‘Olly’ was again lightning at boxes as he posted a scarcely matched 2.59 sectional. In doing so, the son of Grangeview Ten built a healthy advantage over his rivals and although Stellas Secret came with a late rattle, Ollys Ten (7/1) kept enough in reserve to win by one and a quarter lengths. The time was 29.64.
Lifford on Sunday: The Croker Kennels 3 winners on Sunday. Pictured Kyle Maxwell (on left) with CROKERS MICK who won in 29.68. In centre, Sean Maxwell, with WRONG PRICE who won in 30.01. On right is Shane Crossan with OLLYS TEN who won in 29.64.
Crokers Mick (2/1) was next to follow as he made it three wins on the spin in race eight. Known for his power-packed finishes, the son of Ballymac Bolger was out with the washing early on, however, made rapid inroads at the halfway mark to ensure a thrilling finish was in store. Eating into the lead set by Tippenyaki, ‘Mick’ duly arrived with a wet sail to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare. The time was 29.68.
The treble was completed in the very next race as Wrong Price finally got it right from trap one. Sent to traps as a 4/1 chance, the daughter of Pestana race prominently on this occasion, before taking charge at the final bend. Italian Lady did ensure an exciting finish was to ensue, however, Wrong Price knuckled down in determined fashion to cross the line with a half-length to spare. The time was 30.01.
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