Derry Greyhounds: Moss Flyer sets the bar in Quiqley Memorial heats

A bonanza of great racing was enjoyed during the week with Friday and Sunday race meetings at Lifford and Monday and Tuesday meetings at Brandywell.

The remaining first round heats of the Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint, the Bill McKinney Memorial 500, the Billy & Sheila Quigley Memorial 525, the Bookmakers Select 500 and the Managers Select Sprint were decided at Brandywell and it was Matthew Talbot’s Moss Flyer (Droopys Sydney x Sidarian Pearl, May ’22) that excited most with the manner of her victory in heat 2 of the Billy & Sheila Quiqley Memorial competition on Monday.

The early paced Do It Jella set a strong gallop from trap 6 but Flyer in trap 1 was on her heels at the second bend and showed searing back straight pace to take over the lead. She ran on well to win with 2.5 lengths to spare over her rival in a fast 29.20. Cals Range and Longrange Rapid also qualified for the next round from this heat.

Inniskeen Mandy (Superior Panama x Slaneyside Kerri, Sep ’21) was the fastest in Monday’s heats of the Bill McKinney Memorial 500. Ideally housed in trap 1 she had the superior early pace to the first turn and ran on well to win by 4.5 lengths in 27.97 for owner Colm McConomy and trainer Stephen Radcliffe. Bumblebee Marian, Lifes Nippy and Longstone Cilla also qualified from this heat for the next round.

The fastest over the Benny Barrett Memorial Sprint distance on Monday was the Martin Healy owned and Stephen Radcliffe trained Brassneck Rocket (Pestana x Razldazl Emily, Apr ’21) who clocked 16.72 in heat 4. As his name suggests, he rocketed from the 4 box to lead from trap to line. Drumcrow Fudge and Tableseventyone both qualified for the next round from this heat.

On Tuesday Damien Mullan’s Bosco Lad (Pestana x Killeenagh Sal, Oct ’22) was the fastest heat winner of the Bookmakers Select 500 first round. Racing from trap 4, he had just enough early pace to clear his rivals at the first turn and from there he ran on well to win by 3.25 lengths in 28.33.

My Mairead and Rough Ranger filled the second and third podium positions.

The Managers Select Sprint first round heats also took place on Tuesday and it was the Cormac McCloy owned Two More Brendan (Ballymac Best x Queen Adele, May ’21) that went fastest of all in the third heat.

Brandywell on Monday; Race 4, The Bill Mc Kinney Memorial 500. Rd 1 HT 1 was won by INNISKEEN MANDY in 27.97. Winning owner Colm Mc Conomy alongside his fiancee Fionnuala O Kane are centre of photo. Sean Radcliffe (left of photo and his son Stephen Radcliffe who is the trainer is right of photo with his nephew Stephen McColgan.

Drawn in trap 3, Brendan was playing catch up to the early leader Roseville Bob. Brendan took up the lead at the first turn and ran on well to clock 16.81 with Roseville Bob and Dereal Cerebus also making the frame.

Action from Lifford Stadium

The feature event over the weekend at Lifford Greyhound Stadium took place on Sunday and were the three semi finals of the TIME greyhound Nutrition A2/A3 575, which was kindly sponsored by Willie Rigney.

Boasting an eventual winner’s purse of a brilliant €1,000 for just two outings, the standard on the night was set by the Charles Coyle-owned Louder in the opener. Fresh off a terrific 28.88 success over the standard trip last time out, not too many saw her making it back-to-back wins and this was reflected in her starting price of 4/1. However, it is always wise to follow a bitch in form and she set a blistering gallop when bulleting from trap one to lead early.

Brandywell on Monday: Aston Friel (centre) was presented with the Greyhound Data Trophy by Paul Mc Daid after Do It Jella recorded the fastest time over 500 yards at the 29th April 2024 Greyhound Data Gala Night. Paddy Friel on right of photo.

Holding a healthy advantage down the back, it was Blackstone Aldo that set off in chase and for all the world it looked like ‘Aldo’ would prove too strong given the step-up to 575-yard for Louder. However, the daughter of Magical Bale and Kuma Mary Lou was nothing if not game and she comfortably held her rival by half a length on the long run home. The time, on a slow track, was a good 31.91.

Not too far behind in terms of the clock was Run On Then, who won the second semi final at her leisure. Owned by Colm Mcrory, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Borna Blossom had no excuse on her last outing when narrowly beaten, however, this didn’t deter the punters as they sent this lady off as the 2/1 favourite.

Fastest into stride from trap three, the jolly drew clear of her rivals and this was a straightforward task for Run On Then as she appreciated every yard of the extended trip to win by an increasing ten and a quarter lengths from Roanna Bonnie in second. The time was 31.95.

The last of the three quarter finals was landed by Read The Room, who made it back-to-back wins at the Northwest venue after an unsuccessful venture to Dundalk. Trained by Declan Crossan for Georgina Gibbons, this lady has big speed and although out with the washing early on as Toonarratachute dictated, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Julies Paradise battled hard to get back on terms.

Lifford on Sunday; Race 4, The GMK A3 525 Yds won by FRIDAYS STYLE in 29.62. Daryl Whyte at back is holding the winner & beside him is Marie Devenney who was celebrating her 60th Birthday at Lifford. Her grandchildren; Amelia (to her left) Ariana (back right) x Ava Rose (front right) share the celebrations eith her. Front left are Harry Whyte & his younger brother Ruairi with Rachael Mc Crory on the back row to the right of Darryl Whyte.

Still work to do approaching the final turn, the 2/1 chance rallied late on to see off Luz Days by a head, in 32.33.

Reverting to Friday night and the standout performance of the meeting was a blistering performance from the Willie Mullan-owned McDuff. A winner on debut in 17.97, the October puppy had a few unsuccessful efforts over the extended trip, however, it clearly stood him in good stead as he bounced back emphatically over the sprint trip.

A son of Pestana and Killeenagh Sal, McDuff flew from traps to post a rapid 4.23 split and from here, there was no stopping this prospect as he breezed to a three length victory over Cahir Mall in second. The time was a sizzling 17.41.

The Fridays Kennels of trainer Paul Whyte had a terrific weekend with 5 winners spread over the two meetings at Lifford. They were: Blue Luna 17.80 (+.10)/325 yards, Fridays Acclaim 29.24 (+.20)/525 yards, Pescadero 17.71/325 yards, Hatmore Stockey 29.67/525 yards and Fridays Style 29.62/525 yards.