Derry Greyhounds: Diegos Manna scores at Brandywell

There was a seven race programme at the Brandywell on Monday evening. The opening three races were over the 300 yards sprint trip.

Reneas Boy (Deerjet Sydney x Culdaff Lady, Jan ’24) kicked of his racing debut with an impressive 5 length win in the first race. Owned by Brendan McLaughlin, Boy was only moderately away from trap 3 but showed good pace to challenge for the lead at the first turn. He ran a strong bend around the outside of Gallony Fox and pulled clear to clock 17.27 which was a decent time given the wet and windy conditions.

Somewhat unlucky on her racing debut, Oliver Canavan’s Olwinn Swift (Ballymac Cashout x Jumeriah Liberty, Feb ’24) made amends for that in Race 2 with a 2 length win on what was only her second career start. Swift was well away from trap 6 but was barely visible on the outside of her rivals on the run to the first bend. She burst into view after running a great first bend and ran on strongly to post a pleasing 17.28 on the clock.

Danas Star (Ballyhimikin Jet x Courty Girl, Dec ’23) got his career off to a flying start by following up on his debut victory last week with a head success in his second start in Race 3. Ideally drawn in trap 1, he was slowly away from boxes but had enough pace to be up with the lead at the first turn. Mark Ferry’s Star got shuffled back at this point to third place but was determined and came with a strong run up the home straight to claim victory in 17.43. The nature of his win, bodes well for the future.

Race 4 was the feature race of the night and Brandywell Gold Cup finalist Diegos Manna (Premier Fantasy x Sidarian Fern, Jun ’22) made the most of his trap 1 pitch to earn his place on the winner’s podium for Leigh Thompson. Diego was well away from boxes and turned the first bend just behind the early leader Shrewd Stories. Stamina was the key to this race and Diego proved superior by taking up the lead passing the 500 boxes. He ran on well to win by 2 lengths in 28.47 for the 500 yards.

There was an impressive trap to line success in Race 5 over 500 yards for Charlie Baxter and Seamus Toal’s Karen Who (Ballymac Wild x Heard No Evil, Jul ’23). Well away from trap 1, she made it 3 wins from 17 starts when clocking 28.62. She had 5.25 lengths to spare over her nearest rival, Ocean Mini. Karen always runs a good race and has 6 seconds and 6 thirds on her race record.

Race 6 was over the 500 yards and Ex-Galway hound Country Curly (Magical Bale x Mystic Ann Marie, Aug ’22) got his first win since moving to Thomas Brennan’s kennels. Fast away from trap 5, Curly never saw a challenger and he stormed home with an impressive 7.25 lengths to spare over Portrush Tootsie in second. The time was 28.61.

The finale on the night was over the 300 yards trip and there was a welcome return to the winner’s podium for the Eamonn Curran owned Meet More Often (Magical Bale x Maid Me County, Aug ’22). Fast away from trap 1, Meet More Often was challenged for the lead at the first turn by Sniper Big Joe, but he moved wide on the bend and allowed Eamonn’s tight tracker to take up the lead again which she held by 2 lengths as she crossed the line in 17.01, a decent time on the night.

Brandywell; Race 7, was won by MEET MORE OFTEN in 17.01. Pictured with (from left) Thomas Curran Jnr, Eamonn Curran, Christine Rose, Tommy Curran Snr & Graham Rose.

The opening round heats of the June ON2/ON3 325 served as the feature on Saturday night at Lifford Stadium and Moyola Eitlean was the star of the show as he ran out a convincing winner for Gerry Bradley of Derry. Well-supported into the even money favourite, this was over early as the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Moyola Toto pinged out of trap two to lead. In doing so, he tracked like a seasoned veteran to draw clear of his rivals and win by just shy of eight lengths. The time was a fast 17.75.

In the other two semis, Glenbervie Dylan (5/2) made a winning start to his career when seeing off Saoirses Girl to win by half a length in 17.95, while a messy third semi saw Antrim Lad cross the line a short-head clear of an impeded Do It Bella in 18.27. The semi finals of this stake will take place next Saturday night and all eyes will be on Moyola Eitlean, who is without doubt the one to beat going forward.

Brandywell, Race 6, was won by COUNTRY CURLY in 28.61. Pictured with (from left) Tyler Patterson, Thomas Brennan, Pauline Brennan & Alan Shakepeare.

On Sunday’s SIS card, it was the ‘Jimmy’ Show as Jimmy Anderson notched a superb treble on the card. The first to pass the post in front was the impressive Wee Design as she came from the clouds to score at the third time of asking. A lovely fawn, she was supported into 15/8 but she looked out with the washing early on after a sluggish start from six.

However, the daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa and Designer navigated through runners like a knife through butter to arrive late and score by one length. One suspects there is much more to come from the Conall Doherty-owned lady as she stopped the clock in 30.03.

In the very next race, Pharis Sarah finally notched victory as she too justified market support to win at odds of 13/8. Quickly into stride from six, the daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa – Black Eyed Molly put this contest to bed early as she led the field a merry dance into the back straight. Given some solid finishing efforts in recent weeks, ‘Sarah’ was never going to get caught on this occasion as she romped to a three and a quarter length victory over Lotus Jenny in second. The time was 29.91.

Lifford on Sunday; Jimmy Anderson along with his daughter Caeleen with their second treble of winner at Lifford in the last fortnight. Jimmy is holding (from left) PHARIS SARAH who won 29.91, COLDWATER ROLO who won in 29.44 and Caeleen is holding WEE DESIGN who won in 30.03.

The treble was completed when Coldwater Rolo also pinged the lids to emerge a trap-to-line winner. Sent off at odds of 3/1, ‘Rolo’ made her intentions felt as she rocketed from trap six to lead early. In doing so, the daughter of Magical Bale set a smart gallop to head Ballinabola Finn and she drew clear upon entrance to the home straight. Extending her lead to just shy of five lengths approaching the line, Coldwater Rolo sealed a ninth career victory in a time of 29.44.