Galliagh Black thrills the crowd with a flying finish

With racing at Brandywell not due to resume until next week, we were fortunate to have some quality action at Lifford on Friday and Sunday to enjoy.

On Friday night, there was a fine display in race three from 4/5 shot, Kellsboro Harry. Making his Lifford debut after being purchased out of Waterford, John McMonagle’s charge wasted no time in landing his first career win as he bolted from trap four to leave his rivals for dust.

Showing a lovely turn of speed thereafter, the son of Magical Bale and Kellsboro Wendy was three lengths too strong for Flaminmagical, in a smart 17.67.

COYLE DOUBLE

The Charles Coyle bandwagon keeps on rolling at Lifford and he accounted for a double on Friday as With Luck made it back-to-back wins to kickstart that double.

Another 4/5 chance, the son of Skywalker Canny and Titanium Kab made his intentions clear from the outset as he trapped best of all from two to take a healthy advantage into the back. Maintaining a powerful gallop thereafter, he was four lengths better off than Moyola Croia, in 29.22.

The double was completed in race six as the ever-consistent Xhaka justified his 4/6 starting price with another polished performance. Narrowly edged out by Ardnasool Arc last time out, the full brother of With Luck was quickly into stride and although headed by Highgarden Annie, he came back for more to cross the line with four and a half lengths to spare in 29.25.

Race 1, The Welcome To Lifford Stadium S3 325 was won by SNIPER RORO in 17.89. Photo; Kealan O Kane who is the son of winning owner Kevin O’Kane.

Indeed, Ardnasool Arc, who lowered the colours of Xhaka last time out, made it back-to-back wins in the concluding race for Orla and Cathal McGhee.

A brilliant lady when on-song, the daughter of Droopys Cain and Droopys Esther was forced to play second fiddle early on as Wilms Blake set the pace, however, she stayed on as strongly as ever to storm to the front and win by three and three parts of a length. The time was 29.23.

NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

Onto Sunday night and after Sniper Ria won for the second consecutive week at Dundalk, and her daughter Sniper Orla Wray also tasted success, it was the turn of Ria’s son Sniper Roro to show his hand.

A member of what looks a terrific litter, ‘Roro’ built on an impressive debut at Derry with a thoroughly professional performance for Kevin and Kealan O’Kane. In charge from traprise, he drew clear of his rivals to win by five lengths, in a rapid 17.89 .10s.

Race 2, The Old Dalys S7 325 was won by DOMAIN JOE in 18.10. Photo; winning owners Mike & Deborah Carrick.

Arguably the performance of the night over the standard trip was that of Galliagh Black (Good News - Chatham Lady) for John McLaughlin of Derry.

A very consistent tracker, he has raced with real credibility in recent starts over the extended distances and this stood him in good stead as he came from well off-the-pace to arrive late and seal a short-head victory over Roanna Debt in second. The time was 29.48 .20s.

A worthy mention this week must also go to Do It Jella for Ray and Andrew White. After winning at Derry on Monday night in a rapid 27.89, the flying early pacer duly justified her 5/4 starting price with another trap-to-line performance.

Running from six, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Coolatee Molly opened up superbly down the back to win by two lengths from Dromrich Dingus in second. The time, in very testing conditions was 29.84 .20s.

SUNDAY’S SUPPORTING RACE PROGRAMME

There were 5 other races on the Sunday programme that added to the excitement of the evening. The Old Dalys S7 325 was the second race on the card and Mike and Deborah Carrick’s long journey from Galway was made worthwhile when their Domain Joe (Domain King x Lahard Frankie, Jul ’19), an experienced veteran, came from last to first to secure victory in his first race at Lifford.

Race 3, The A1 Roofing A3 525 was won by GALLIAGH BLACK in 29.48. Photo; Ciaran McLaughlin who is the brother of the owner, John McLaughlin.

After a tardy start from trap 6, he showed good pace to be amongst the leaders at the first bend. He swept around the outside of his competitors and despite running wide, had enough in the tank to win by 2.75 lengths, clocking 18.10 .10s. This was his 13th career success and although he is in the twilight of his career, he is still very much a force to be reckoned with.

Roseville Bob (Ballymac Wild x Roseville Dawn, Jul ’22) for Harry McClelland, was another hound that was having his first race at Lifford and he contested the fourth race, the Railway Gym S6 over 325 yards. Evenly away from trap 4, Bob soon emerged from the pack and showed good pace going into the first bend to build up a couple of lengths lead.

He kept on well up the home straight and clocked a pleasing 17.86 -.10. This was only his third career start and with youth on his side, he is an exciting prospect to look forward too.

The GMK A5 525 was the fifth race on the programme and the Mairead Miller owned and Stephen Radcliffe trained Bit View Kate (Broadstrand Bono x Silver Penny, Apr ’22) had just enough early pace to skip ahead of her rivals at the first bend despite a tricky trap 5 draw.

Race 5, The GMK A5 525 was won by BIT VIEW KATE in 29.54. Photo; Kate’s trainer’s nephew Shane McColgan with Kate.

Once she got her head in front, she led the field a merry dance and this strong finisher won decisively by 5 lengths in 29.54 -.20. Kate has now got an impressive strike rate of 3 wins from only 7 starts.

If prizes were given out for the most handsome hound at Lifford on Sunday, then Bogger Rocky (Pestana x Bogger Bonnie, Apr ’22) would certainly have been in contention for the title.

Peter Farrell’s striking blue brindle hound was still a maiden after 9 races and he went into the sixth race, the Express Food Service S5/S6 325, as a 2/1 shot. Switching to the sprint distance, plus the addition of wide seeding, was the key to securing his first career success.

Moderately away from trap 6, Rocky showed plenty of early pace and he went around the first bend in an ominous looking second place behind Kielys Tiger.

Despite running wide off the second bend, Rocky thundered up the home straight to get the better of Tiger by 2.75 lengths in 17.91 -.10s. Hailing from the same dam as superstars Warzone Tom and Cryptopunk, it is likely there is plenty more to come from this lad now he has tasted success.

And in the last race of night, the Goodnight & Safe Home S4 325, Charles Coyle completed his week’s success at Lifford when added another victory to his Friday evening double. This time it was as trainer of Roanna Star (Elite Black x Ellies Runaway, Feb ’22) owned by Robbie O’Neill and Adrian Maher.

Race 6, The Express Food Service S5/S6 325 was won by BOGGER ROCKY in 17.91. Photo; winning owner Peter Farrell.

Evenly away from trap 1, Star was in pole position at the crown of the first bend. He bravely held his pitch and although he ran wide off the second bend, he was a comfortable 3 length winner in 18.05 -.10s. This was his second career win and bodes well for his future.

We look forward to being back at Brandywell again on Monday 12th February with the first race at 8pm.