This article is from page 102 of the 2008-09-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 102 JPG
THE feature race on the card at Galway on Friday night was the fi- nal of the Playing For Life A2 525. The prize crossed the border into Clare, with the appropriately named Drimeen Border taking the honours.
On the run to the opening bend Drimeen Border trained in Tubber by John Burke just held the call from Killuran Gorm (T2) who moved off the rail rounding the bend allow- ing Ms Fireparker (T1) slip through along the inside to take over in front entering the back straight.
Racing down the back Ms Firepark- er led by three lengths from Drimeen Border who began to close between the final two bends though. Turning for home the leader was searching for the line as Drimmen Border put in a turbo charged finish to gain the day by a neck in 29.20.
The seventh was an A3 grade 525 and as the traps rose the striped jack- eted
Unique Pose (T6) came away very smartly and despite heading straight for the inside rail the daughter of
Droopys Kewell and Reknay led by two lengths
from Free Toll (T5) rounding the opening two bends. Racing past the halfway mark the Ciara Malone of Liscannor owned Unique Pose held a three length advantage over her ri- vals and although she looked vuner- able for a stride or two turning in she defeated Birr Chris (T4) by three and quarter lengths in 29.21.
The semi finals of the Galway Hurl- ing Board A5 Stake were also down for
decision and in the opening semi final the Kevin Callinan of Kilmihil owned Shyan
Digital (T1) headed the market and the son of Digital and Shyan Anna- belle also headed his five rivals on the run to the opening bend where although he ran a little off the rail he led by two lengths from Forever Black (T2) entering the back straight. Approaching the home turn Forever Black closed to within a length on the inner but Shyan Digital kept on for a half length win in 29.57.
The fifth was an SO graded sprint over the 350 yard extended sprint trip
and after Battlefield(T1) had broken best to lead early on the inside the black jacketed Gowerhass Hope(T4) swept by on the run to the opening corner to lead from the improving Cushcallow Rebel(T5) on the out- side.
Racing around the crown of the bend Cushcallow Rebel moved quite wide allowing Gowerhass Hope to slightly extend his lead and the son of Top Honcho and Conies Kate just had a neck to spare at the line in a slick 19.05.
The fourth contest was an S2 grad- ed 350 in which trap two was vacant and as the traps rose West Clare Gael (T3) came away like the win and led by three lengths racing to- wards the opening bend from Crafty Cebato(T6) and Mysterious Molly (T1). As the leader swung for home Mysterious Molly switched to the outside to deliver her challenge up the straight but the Fiona and Kevin Troy of Kilkee owned West Clare Gael(Tucks Mein-Querrin Razor) just lasted it out in front to the line for a neck success in 19.27 .
Thursday night’s Galway card fea-
tured the semi finals of the Croi New York Marathon A3 575 In the second semi final the trap four runner Sars- field Lass showed the best pace on the run to the opening bend from Kid Mullins (T6) on her outside.
Turning down the back the pair were locked in combat as Cool Re- minder (T5) tried to close in third place.Approaching the penultimate corner Kid Mullins took a slight lead but as they turned for home the Michael Browne of Kilrush owned Sarsfield Lass(Droopys Vieri-Meg- ans Friend) was back in front as she won by a length in 31.99.
In the A4 graded eighth contest the Noel Moroney of Mullagh owned Tiermana Fly (T2) led at the second bend before holding the determined challenge of Garraun Maldini(T5) by 1/2 a length in 29.64.The win- ner got a dream un on the rail at the opening bend as early leader Scat- tery Vieri left a gap on the rail. Rac- ing down the back Tiermana Fly held the call as the challengers loomed on all sides but Tiermana Fly held them all at bay up the straight.
The third contest was an S6 graded
350 yarder and as the traps rose Kil- luran Vieri (T5) was very smartly into his stride and he led by three lengths from Bofin Squire(T3) racing to the opening bend. Rounding the bend the Donal Cooney of Broadford owned son of Droopys Vieri extend- ed his advantage to six lengths over his rivals as he stormed to an eight length success in 19.43.
In the A2 graded fourth contest over 550 yards on Saturday night the Master Christioan and Rian Cum- mins of Ennis owned Buddhas Babe overcame two bouts of interfearence as he came home three and three quarter lengths clear of Mi Sonic Gee rimsltk te
The winner was in second place rounding the opening bend when he was knocked sideways and back to fifth spot as Killuran Blue (T5) led the field by two lengths passing halfway. Approaching the third bend the win- ner was once again hampered when the leader suddenly checked leaving Mi Sonic in front but Buddhas Babe swept past early in the straight on his way to a deserved success.