Derry Greyhounds: Fridays Cuba sprints to SS0 glory as Lifford hosts action-packed weekend

There was plenty of action in the North West during the week despite there being no racing at Brandywell on Monday. Lifford had an eight race programme on Saturday followed by a 12 race card on Sunday.

Fastest over the sprint distance on Saturday was the Paul Whyte owned and trained Fridays Cuba (Ballymac Cashout x Corner Daisy, Nov ’22) in Race 5, the NWGOBA S2/S3 325. Evenly away from trap 3, Cuba showed the best early dash and had a comfortable couple of lengths lead as she turned the first bend ahead of Heavy Lifting.

With the benefit of the inside track, Cuba had enough of an advantage entering the home straight to hold of the fast finishing Heavy Lifting by 1.5 lengths. Creditable efforts by both the first two home with Cuba clocking 17.49 which is equivalent to SS0 grade.

Although Cuba is over three years old and she has only raced five times in her career. More to come maybe?

The slickest performance over Saturday’s 4 bends was delivered by Rhys McBride’s Tartan Gra (Good Cody x Ballybrack Gem, July ’23). This strapping 87 pound lad notched up his second consecutive win over course and distance in Race 7, Update Your Traceability A2/A3 525.

BOYLE Sports A4 525 was won by GREENMOUNT PEARL in 29.01. Pictured with (back row from left) Eddie Hurson & Benny Donaghy. In front row (from left) Aidan, Darragh and Tiernan Murray.

The early pace was set by Illnotbedown in trap 1 who posted a fast 2.62 sectional but Tartan Gra from trap 4 was in close pursuit, lying in second place at the first bend. Gra steadily narrowed the deficit and emerged into the home straight, close enough if good enough.

And indeed he was good enough, winning by 1.25 lengths in 29.27. He now has a terrific strike rate of 4 wins from 11 starts.

Beebees Princess (Grangeview Ten x Beebees Star, Nov ’22) recorded an incredible 17th career success in Race 8 The Goodnight and Safe Home A1/A2 525 for owners Martin Lafferty and Oisin Orr and trainer Niall McGhee. Racing from her preferred 1 box, her trademark early pace took her to the front at the first turn where she got the better of Fridays Art from trap 4 and thereafter she held off all challengers.

Dusty Dan got closest at the finish, just 0.5 lengths behind Princess, and Divil The Hayte was a neck behind in third. The winner’s time was 29.32.

Moyola Fia (Coolavanny Hoffa x Moyola Toto, Aug ’23) earns herself a mention after she won Race 3 the Fitzwilliam A5 525 for Gerard Bradley. Fast away from trap 3 she clocked a fast 2.61 sectional and thereafter dug deep to hold off all her rivals to post a career best time of 29.42. It brings her career successes to three from six starts.

Race 10 - LIVE ON SISRACING.TV A5 525 was won by THRILLER in 29.53. Pictured with (from left) Chloe Taggart, Thea Taggart and Anthony Taggart.

It was the David Park show on Sunday at Lifford as he landed a fantastic treble in Races 2, 3 and 6. First up was his home bred Lotus Frank (Magical Bale x Wee Tee, Apr ’24) who won the JD Print A7 525 in 29.99.

He skipped clear of crowding at the first turn by taking a middle course from trap 6 and had enough in hand to hold off the strong finish of Point Guard by 0.5 lengths.

Then David’s Coonough Dreamer (The Other Kobe x Innfield Jasper, May ’24) picked up the Fitzwilliam A6 525 in 29.65 after a quick break from trap 3 and was a trap to line winner. Co-owned by David Park and Noel Dalgleish, Cashout Lucy (Ballymac Cashout x Nothing Gained, Mar ’24) completed the treble for David in the Northwest Greyhound Supplies A6 525.

Early pace was the key to success in this race again as Lucy was a trap to line winner from the 1 box. All these winners are under 2 years of age and are an exciting crop of pups to look forward to in the coming years as they develop their track craft and learn from racing experience.

Greenmount Pearl (Magical Bale x Uupward Pearl, Jul ’22) clocked the fastest time of the meeting for owners Darragh Murray and Patrick Donaghy and trainer Eddie Hurson.

Race 3 - FITZWILLIAM A5 525 was won by MOYOLA FIA in 29.42. Pictured George Cregan Snr. x Jnr.

A fast 2.58 sectional ensured she led around the first turn and she stretched away to a 3.25 length victory in 29.01. At 3.5 years old, Pearl showed she can still produce something like her best ever form.

Cassie Be Good (Good Cody x Foulkscourt Peg, Feb ’24) recorded her third win in row when landing the Live On SISRacing.TV A5 525. Indeed this was her 4th win from her last 5 starts.

She was once again slowly away from trap 1 for owner James Dunne and trainer William Mullan but this lady really has to be admired for her determination and track craft. She found a path through the pack and switched outside the leader at the third bend in a move that was decisive in enabling her to make her challenge a winning one. Her time was 29.53 and she is one to watch for the future as she’ll always put her best paw forward.

If there was an award for consistency, Anthony and Chloe Taggart’s Thriller (Burgess Bucks x Footfield Penny, Aug ’23) must also be considered. She’s been in the frame each of her last 7 races and made it 3 wins from her last 4 starts when winning the A5 525 in 29.46.

This was a career best time for her and brought her strike rate to 6 wins from just 15 starts.

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Last week’s Derry News headline act, Starcash Barry (Droopys Noah x Lightfoot Marie, Aug ’21) made it back to back wins when he won the finale, the Goodnight and Safe Home A5 525 in 29.58.

This was his 97th race and his 23rd victory. He’s a dog that absolutely relishes the thrill of competitive chase and his owner Dean Toland and brother Darren Toland wax lyrical about how wonderful this lad is. At 4.5 years old, he’s certainly still a force to be reckoned with.

We will be back racing at Brandywell on Monday 9th February, weather permitting.