Derry Greyhounds: Newsreel unveils the script for success in Premier Greyhound Sales 500

There was an eight race programme at Brandywell Greyhound Stadium on Monday evening which featured the Premier Greyhound Sales 500, sponsored by Nathan Corden. The Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group, End Of Month Bonus for January, was in play in Race 8 with the winner of Race 7 receiving the O’Neills Bag Of Dog Food.

Races 1 to 3 were sprint events and Adrian McGarry was back at the winners’ podium for a second consecutive week, this time with Portrush Molly (Ballymac Cashout x Dingys Diva, Nov ’23) when she won the opener by 4.75 lengths in 17.22 on only her second career start. Well away from trap 6, she had enough early pace to be a couple of lengths clear of her rivals at the first bend. She made the most of crowding in behind her to land this event unchallenged. Molly looks to have a bright future ahead given her racing attitude and youth.

Johnny Scott’s Ferndale Power (Ballyhimikin Jet x Great Jet, May ’23) in Race 2 was only moderately away from trap 3 but had enough pace to get to the first turn alongside the leaders. He held his pitch and tracked the bends well to earn himself a comfortable lead entering the home straight. He ran on well to win in 16.88 by 4.25 lengths and notch up his second win on his eighth career start.

Ex-Cork recruit Rosstemple Fred (Razldazl Peaky x Dainty Doll, Oct ’22) relinquished his maiden tag in Race 3 for owner Patrick Barrett. It was his eighth career start and he put up a polished performance from trap 3 to come from behind the early paced Emily Amore and win by 2.75 lengths in a fast 16.75. Fred caught up with Emily at the first turn, overtaking on her outside and that move was decisive in landing the spoils.

Fresh from topping the Brandywell league table in 2024 for Private Trainer with most wins and Dog with most wins, Kevin Canning and the Sarah Leahy owned Newsreel (Good News x Oldburrin Queen, May 21) were back in action in Race 4, The Premier Greyhound Sales 500.

Brandywell on Monday 27th January Race 4, The Premier Greyhound Sales 500 was won by NEWSREEL in 27.95. Pictured with Kevin Canning.

Evenly away from trap 5, Newsreel was forced to keep a middle position as the tightly packed field rounded the first turn. He entered the back straight in third place but looked a serious threat to his rivals as he showed great pace and determination to drive between the leaders at the third turn. It was a race winning move and he opened up 4.5 lengths on his competitors as he crossed the line in 27.95.

Mallogs Miley (Mallogs Marley x Mallogs Dolly, Jun ’23) was a deserving winner for James Campbell in Race 5. This ex-Kilkenny recruit was having only her third career start and made it an impressive one when gaining her first career success by 6.5 lengths in a fast 27.80 for the 500 yards. She had just enough early pace from trap 2 to get a clear passage around the first turn and from there it was a case of how far she would win by. She is a really nice prospect and connections will be hopeful that she will have a successful year ahead.

Kyle McCarron and Connor McCarthy’s ex-Galway recruit Burnpark Boris (Newinn Taylor x Burnpark Leanne, Nov ’22) gave himself a tough task after a slow exit from trap 3. But it was seventh time lucky for Boris as got his first career success after overcoming some crowding and picking off his opposition, one by one, to win by 1.75 lengths in 28.28 for the 500 yards. It was a pleasing effort from a dog that looks like he has decent pace and is learning fast with racing experience.

On The Pitch (Ballymac Bolger x Florence Cake, May ’23) was runner up to Meet More Often in the Paul Ellis and Track Lotto Christmas Cracker Final last month but went one better on Monday in Race 7 when he made the most of his trap 1 draw to lead at the first turn and score unchallenged for owner Patrick Flanagan. His time was 16.70 for the 300 yards and he had 3 lengths to spare over Kellsboro Harry in second. He now has an impressive strike rate of 3 wins from only 7 starts.

The fastest run over the 300 yards was posted in Race 8 by Kevin O’Kane’s Sniper Orla Wray (Broadstrand Bono x Sniper Ria, Aug ’22).

Brandywell on Monday; Race 7 was won by ON THE PITCH in 16.70. Pictured with Conan Foley.

Ideally drawn in trap 1, Orla showed great early pace to gain the lead at the first turn and thereafter the victory was simply a formality for this lady. She posted a sizzling 16.66 when winning by 2.25 lengths. This home bred litter of Kevin’s has been delivering successes week after week and Orla now has 7 wins from only 23 starts.

Action from Lifford Greyhound Stadium

Storm Eowyn did its best to interrupt proceedings over the weekend at Lifford Stadium, however, despite the need to postpone Saturday’s meeting, the Sunday SIS card went off with minimal fuss as several kennels enjoyed a successful night.

Of the eleven races on offer, there were trebles for both Charles Coyle and David Park, while there was also a double for the in-form kennel of Willie Mullan. The opening race saw the first leg of the Coyle double get off the ground as Roanna Due got back to winning ways after being fancied to score one-week earlier.

Sent to traps as the 9/4 second favourite, Roanna Due tracked the early leader, Pronto Murty, for the majority of this contest, however, upped the ante around the bottom two bends to emerge an ominous threat to the leader. Showing brilliant stamina in the closing stages, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Bombay Savanna powered the front late on to score by a half-length, in a time of 29.79 .20s.

Fine early dash

In race seven, Ross Hope (Droopys Sydney – Droopys Dinner) sealed the double in an A7 contest. A lady with fine early dash, this was on full show in this contest as the 9/4 chance led early from trap two, before seeing out every yard of the trip in good style to record 30.23 .20s.

The treble was secured in the very next race as Droopys Iona justified strong market support to win for the second consecutive week. This lady has plenty to offer and she looked the part in this A7/A8 contest when sent to traps at 11/4. Drawn in three, she bided her time well in the opening half of the contest, however, the leaders were sitting ducks given the power-packed finishing abilities that ‘Iona’ possesses. Taking charge late on, the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Droopys Dorothy drew clear in the closing stages to emerge a comfortable, three and three parts of a length victory. The time was 29.89 .20s.

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David Park got his treble off and running in race two with 92-pounder Harrys Sam as he made it two wins from his last three starts. 5/2 at the off, the son of Ardnasool Jet and Alanas Beauty was out with the washing in the early exchanges, however, showed rapid improvement midway down the back to move into second. Thereafter, ‘Sam’ quickly hit the front to move into a near five length lead and stop the clock in a decent 29.70 .20s. 

Sunday @ Lifford; Race 7 - ROSIE'S CAFE A7 525 was won by ROSS HOPE in 30.23. Pictured with Charles Coyle and his sons Shane (left) & Nathan. 

Harrys Lucy (10/3) was next to score in race six as she took her career tally to two wins. It was Icecool Doll that set the pace in this contest and looked likely to produce a make-all performance. However, ‘Lucy’ showed good determination to power to the front in the closing stages to hold off Fridays Acclaim by a half-length. The time was 29.97 .20s.

 Kenyan Spark sealed the treble for the Markethill owner in race nine as she too took control late on. A generous 4/1 chance at the off, the white-jacketed runner sat second for the majority of the contest, however, showed the superior stamina power to storm to the front and win by a massive eight and a quarter lengths. The time was 29.92. (.20s).