Derry Greyhounds: 'Generous Cashout' wins Doug Shrimpton Memorial Sprint

We welcomed Mark Shrimpton from Malta to the Brandywell on Monday. This was the second time he sponsored a race at the venue in memory of his father Doug Shrimpton.

As part of the seven race programme the three first round heats of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 also got underway.

Three sprint races kicked off the action and it was Brian Robinson’s Rozys Wild (Dorotas Wildcat x Drumcove Roxy, Jun ’24) that was first to earn a place on the winners podium. Only moderately away from trap 6, Rozy made her winning move on the outside of the pack at the first turn as she swept into a length advantage.

She kept a middle path turning into the home straight and held off the persistent challenge of Meenagh Malaga by 0.75 lengths in 17.06. Both first and second placed dogs gave a very good account of themselves on their career debuts.

The Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill owned Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23) made it back to back wins over course and distance with a tenacious performance in Race 2.

Evenly away from trap 4, the field arrived at the first turn closely packed and that was where Nova flashed ahead of her rivals. She built up enough of an advantage to win by 0.5 lengths in 17.40 from the fast finishing Macash Derry.

Our feature race was the Doug Shrimpton Memorial Sprint and track specialist Generous Cashout (Ballymac Best x Generous Daisy, Sep ’22) was once again in fine fettle as he turned the race into a procession scoring his 5th win over course and distance this year.

Charlie Baxter’s home bred Cashout, racing from trap 4, built up a comfortable lead by the first turn and despite swinging off wide exiting the second bend, ran on to win by 4 lengths and clocked a sizzling 16.55.

Brandywell; Race 4, The Liam Melly Memorial 525. Rd.1 Ht.1. was won by JUSTYS FLYER in 29.39.  Pictured with Roy Ruddy.

The first round heats of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 were next to be decided and it was the Justin Graham and Patrick McQuade owned Justys Flyer (Rileys Hill x Over Easy, May ’23) that set the standard for this competition. Racing from the 5 box, he led up around the first bend with Ballygloss Angus in second.

It was Angus’s first race at the circuit and he swung off wide on the bends losing some momentum. However, Angus showed a lot of pace to pull the deficit back on the winner to just 1.5 lengths as the Roy Ruddy trained Justys Flyer crossed the line in a smart 29.39.

Trap 5 also housed the winner of the second heat of the Liam Melly Memorial 525. Zoos Ariel (Malachi x Helens Bay, May ’23) just got the better of a really close buckle throughout with Meenagh Manila in trap 2. Richard Grieve’s Ariel was on the shoulder of Manila right from trap rise and had the better stamina on the home straight to get the verdict by 0.5 lengths in 29.36. Once again fast finisher Rossna Millie came from the clouds to take the third qualifying spot.

It was lucky trap 5 again in the last heat of the Liam Melly Memorial 525. James Campbell’s Bogger Ollie (Callaway Pro Am x Bogger Megan, Oct 23) was only moderately away from boxes but this 83 pounder was a very impressive winner.

He turned into the first bend on the outside of two rivals and showed a terrific injection of pace rounding the bends to extend his lead to 7 or so lengths approaching the third turn.

Brandywell; Race 1 was won by ROZYS WILD in 17.06. Pictured with Gerard Quinn who received the Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group £50 bonus from Mark Shrimpton (from Malta). On left is Aimair Devlin, and on right is Patsy Doyle from the B.G.S.G. Committee.

Even the stamina laden Catunda Quinn couldn’t close the deficit as Ollie crossed the line in 29.46, 8.25 lengths ahead of Quinn.

The final race of the night was also over the 525 yards trip and there was yet another winner from trap 5. This time it was Brendan Harkin’s Roanna Gonzo (Burgess Bucks x Ballyoran Maid, Oct ’22) who flew the lids and made all to record his first win at the circuit which gives him a total of 6 career wins overall.

Trap draw for the final of the Liam Melly Memorial 525 Semi-Finals;

1st semi-final T1 Starcash Barry, T2 Meenagh Manila, T3, Lye In Wait, T4 Ballygloss Angus, T5 Justys Flyer, T6 Centenarys Leo.

Second semi-final T1 Scally Annie, T2 Catunda Quinn, T3 Bogger Ollie, T4 Zoos Ariel, T5 Mineola Man From T6 Rossna Millie.

There was a bumper crowd at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and patrons were treated to a fine night’s racing, highlighted by a series of smart performances. 

The standout display came in the concluding 525-yard contest, where the ever-popular Harrowgate townbaz bounced back to winning ways in style. Jointly owned by Deborah and Mike Carrick, the powerful tracker is renowned for his strength and for relishing the big galloping circuit at Lifford. On this occasion, however, he surprised many by showing immediate dash from traps to seize control early, something not usually associated with his running style.

Once in front, the son of Slippery Robert and Clodaghs Legend always looked the likely winner. Devil The Hayte kept him honest throughout, but Harrowgatetownbaz stuck to his task with trademark determination, eventually crossing the line a half-length to the good. The winning time was a superb 29.06.

Brandywell; Race 2, was won by BALLYSKEAGH NOVA in 17.40. Pictured with Mark Shrimpton who presented Leigh Thompson with last week’s favourite performer trophy that was sponsored by Pauline Brennan and on left is Patrick Gibson.

While Eddie Hurson may have been forced to settle for second in the concluding contest, he sent out Greenmount Pearl (Magical Bale - Upward Pearl) in race seven, who produced a thoroughly professional display.

Another who is very comfortable over the extended trips, Benny Donaghy and Donnagh Murray’s charge took full control at the halfway mark. In doing so, given her stamina abilities she was never under threat as she drew clear of Portrush Tootsie to win by an extending four and a half lengths. The time was a fast 29.19. 

Over the two-bend trip, the standout performance of the night came from the in-form kennel of Paul Whyte, as Fridays Anton justified strong market support. Bidding to double his career tally, the son of Ballymac Anton and Tyrur Lucille gave his supporters no cause for concern, blasting from trap three to take immediate control of the race. Once in front, he proved several grades above his rivals, pulling away to a commanding four-length victory over Tweets Esmae in second. The winning time of 17.66

The form of the Paul Whyte kennel continued into Sunday’s SIS meeting as he notched a hat-trick of winners with Fridays Angie, Bellatrix Doll and Fridays Style.

Quickest of the trio was the latter as she brought her career tally to an impressive thirteen victories. A strong running daughter of Droopys Cain - Fridays Doll, the 3/1 chance came from last to first to cross the line a half-length clear of Run On Master in second. The time was 29.70.

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Another kennel that claimed a three-timer on Sunday was that of David Park. The Markethill handler was represented by Kenyan Spark, Harrys Lucy and Matts Mission, with the latter producing a performance reminiscent of some of his best work.

Despite celebrating his fourth birthday earlier this month, the son of Droopys Sydney - Matts Marine appreciated the step down in grade as he too came from off-the-pace to deny Rough Freedom in second. The time was a good 29.34.