Derry Greyhounds: Starcash Barry nears century with victory lap

The Brandywell got off lightly during Monday evenings weather warning for heavy rain in the region with it staying dry for all 6 races on the programme.

Roanna Chance (Pestana x Sunline, Feb ’24) made a successful career debut in Race 1 over the 300 yards for Sean Maxwell. She was only moderately away from trap 5 and kept a wide course throughout.

Still only lying in third place at the first turn, she had a lot of work to do to catch the early leader Sparta Gifted. However, turning for home, Chance showed a flash of pace and flew up the straight to win by 1.75 lengths in 17.25 (-.20s). This was a really promising run on debut and it was the fastest sprint clock of the night.

The Toni Graham and Nicole McGavigan owned Whitehills Gift (Blame The Game x Stella Can Wait, Mar ’23) is lightly raced and made it 2 wins from only 4 starts when winning Race 2 over the 300 yards for trainer Shaun Eastwood. After a level break from traps, Gift started to emerge from the pack as the first bend approached. She skipped clear of her rivals after some crowding in behind and despite swinging off wide at the second bend, she had enough in hand to win by 1.5 lengths in 17.54 (-.20s).

In Race 3, track specialist sprinter Ballyskeagh Nova (Ballymac Vic x Avongate Nova, Jun ’23) was back on the podium again, making it two in a row after following up on her win last week. Racing from trap 6, her blistering early pace was once again too much for her rivals and she notched up her seventh win over course and distance. Owned by Patrick Gibson and Paul O’Neill, she won by 0.75 lengths in 17.46 (-.20s).

Race 5, Monday Night 500 was won by GARRISONS GUNNER in 29.05. Pictured with (from left) Lisa Delridge, Enda O’Goan, Frank Mc Cullough, Jack McQuillan & Jan Wheeler.

We switched to the 500 yard trip for the remainder of the programme and fastest of those was Race 4 where Dean Toland’s veteran Starcash Barry (Droopys Noah x Lightfoot Marie, Aug ’21) was paw perfect from trap rise.

Fast away from his favourite trap 2, he gradually extended clear of his rivals, finishing 9.5 lengths ahead of Belfast Dream in second place in a time of 28.83 (-.40s). This was his 96th race and he has now won 22 of those during his illustrious career.

Garrisons Gunner (Tommy Shelby x Doghouse Dreamer, Jul ’23) won Race 5 for John McQuillan. This striking blue and white lad was fast away from trap 4 and really kicked clear at the third bend to win by 7 lengths in 29.05 (-.40s). He’s clearly a hound in form and has won three of his last four races.

Coincidently, we had visitors from Australia attend the Brandywell on Monday including Jan Wheeler who owned the legendary Fernando Bale. Bale is the sire of Tommy Shelby so it was quite a special moment for Jan to see his grandson Gunner win whilst she was visiting Northern Ireland.

The finale went to Michael Farrell’s Painters Rory (Iconic Rory x Painters Cabbage, Jan ’24). Evenly away from trap 3, he had enough early pace to lead around the first turn and from there he stretched his lead to 5.75 lengths as he crossed the line in 29.24 (-.40s). This was his third career success from only 10 starts.

Brandywell: Race 2, Monday Night Sprint was won by WHITEHILLS GIFT in 17.52. Pictured (from left) with Mark & Lisa Delbridge (visiting from Australia), Shaun Eastwood & Jan Wheeler (also visiting from Australia).

There were just eight races on offer at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, despite far-from-ideal weather conditions, the on-track action proved easy on the eye. On a card dominated by sprint contests, the standout performance came in race seven as Lincoln Officer captured the Paul White – Top Owner 2025 S2 325.

A red-hot contest saw Monbeg Jacob sent off the 5/4 favourite and he was quickly into stride from trap three to set the early pace. However, he drifted off at the opening bend, allowing room for both Fridays Cuba and Lincoln Officer to mount their challenges.

Turning for home, ‘Lincoln’ held the crucial inside line and that proved decisive as he sealed a third victory for Darragh and Niall McGhee. In a blanket finish, the son of Dromana Bucko – Emers Velvet, a 2/1 chance, got the verdict by a short head from the fast-finishing Heavy Lifting, with the clock stopping at a brisk 17.83 (.10s).

While Paul Whyte just missed out in the S2 sprint, he did get on the scoresheet in the Stellas Secret S3 325 courtesy of Fridays Alice. Sent off the 2/1 second favourite behind even-money market leader Rinnwood Emer, the daughter of Burgess Bucks made her intentions clear early, surging past Cashout King in the opening strides. From there, ‘Alice’ powered clear to score decisively by three and a quarter lengths in 17.86 (.10s).

Over the standard trip, El Mayo produced a particularly eye-catching display. A July pup by the outstanding Droopys Nextone, she was seeking a first career success but was heavily supported into 4/6 favouritism. That confidence was quickly justified as the Anna Breen-Hamilton and Peter Gallagher-owned runner broke smartly to lead.

Lifford on Saturday Race 5 - STELLA'S SECRET S3 325 was won by FRIDAYS ALICE in 17.86. Pictured with (at front) Georgina Gibbons presents Ruairi Whyte with a trophy. Then (middle row from left) Kyra Whyte, Rachel McNulty, Harry Whyte. Back Row (from left) Keegan, Fionn & Paul Whyte & Spencer Saberton.

Holding a two-length advantage into the back straight, that margin doubled by halfway and she was clearly a class apart. Staying on strongly in testing conditions, El Mayo swept home six lengths clear of Galliagh Monko in second, recording a time of 29.30 (.20s).

On Sunday’s SIS card, the standout success came in race two with Ballymac Jetaway landing the A7 525. Still only an October ’24 puppy, she had shown flashes of ability in her earlier outings and, on her fifth career start, that promise was reflected in the market as she was backed into 4/9 favouritism.

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Drawn ideally in red, the daughter of Ballymac Best – Ballymac Merkle broke well and drove the rail to take command early. From there, Rebecca Porter’s bitch, trained by Alan Byrne, proved far too strong for her rivals, stretching clear to score by six lengths from Tippenyaki in second. The winning time was a sharp 29.27.

Lifford on Saturday, Race 7 - PAUL WHYTE- TOP OWNER 2025 S2 325 was won by LINCOLN OFFICER in 17.73. Pictured with (from left) Martin Gallagher, Harry, Keegan & Kyra Whyte, Rachel McNulty & Spencer Saberton. Front row (from left) Ruiari Whyte & Darragh McGhee.