Derry Greyhounds: Starcash Barry wins the Edgar Memorial final

PICTURED ABOVE: Brandywell: Race 4, THE WILLIE & MARY EDGAR MEMORIAL 500 FINAL was won by STARCASH BARRY in 28.43. Pictured with William Edgar Jnr (right) who presented the prizemoney to Darren Toland. The Galway Crystal engraved plate is held by Bridget Toland. Dean Toland is holding Barry and his brother Emelyn & sister Amanda are also in the photo.

The family and friends of the late Willie and Mary Edgar attended the Brandywell on Monday night for the Final of the Willie & Mary Edgar Memorial 500. It coincided with Willie’s 100th heavenly birthday and as the dogs were arriving at the track, a rainbow appear briefly over the Stadium as if it was a sign from above. All credit to Patrick Edgar who coordinated an incredibly generous all sponsored race card with over £2500 prizemoney paid out on the night.

First to earn her place on the winners’ podium was Francis McGarry’s Strike It Jill (Koblenz x Droopys Matilda, Sep ’23). Evenly away from trap 2, Jill showed good early pace to reach the first turn in front. She quickly scooted clear of her rivals and ran on well to win the PD Petfood Supplies by an impressive 7.25 lengths in 16.78. This was only her third career start and there should be plenty more to come from this exciting prospect.

Mulroy Torpedo (Ballymac Bolger x Skirk Illusion, Nov ’22), racing from trap 5, made it back to back wins for Colm Sweeney when winning Race 2, the Brandywell Supporters Club Sprint, in 17.02. This was a career best for Torpedo who turned into the home straight with an unassailable advantage. He stretched his lead to 5.5 lengths as he crossed the line.

Race 3, the Springtown Discount Tyres 745, sponsored by Gary Harkin, turned into a real thriller of a race with the early pace being set by Patrick Devlin’s Lye In Wait (Grangeview Ten x Kilbride Ruby, Oct ’23) in trap 2 who turned into the home straight on the first circuit with a 4 length lead. Kyle McCarron’s Italian Lady (Burgess Bucks x Cannobio, Jun ’22) in trap 1 was however hot on her heels and, stride by stride, steadily cut back on Lye In Wait’s lead. As the finish line approached both dogs flashed past together and the Judge couldn’t separate them. A dead heat was called in a time of 42.97.

The Willie & Mary Edgar Memorial 500 Final was a wide open affair. Do It Jella in trap 6 was first to show with Starcash Barry (Droopys Noah x Lightfoot Marie, Aug ’21) from his favourite 2 box leading the dash on the inside. Rein Back in trap 5 was challenging Jella on the outside and the pair led the charge to the third bend.

Jella kept finding more at the crucial moments when Rein Back challenged her. As the pair turned for home, Jella moved wide which took Rein Back on a wide course.

They left plenty of room on their inside and Bows Hill Jet from trap 1, who was having his own battle with Starcash Barry, found himself in front by taking the shorter route. Midway up the home straight Bows Hill Jet was in front of Rein Back, with Jella in third and Barry in fourth.

Brandywell, Race 5, THE DANIEL WHITE BOOKMAKERS 500 was won by A SWEET DAMSEL in 27.83. Pictured with Kyle Mc Carron & Rebecca Gilliland with Paul McDaid on right.

Barry still had a length to make up on the leaders, but he dug deep and this people’s champion who has the heart of a lion, rallied right to the line where a photo finish was called to separate the first 4 home who were separated by less than a length.

After enduring short head defeats in both the final of the Daniel Canning Memorial 500 and the Billy & Sheila Quigley Memorial 525 at Brandywell, Starcash Barry was finally on the right side of the short head verdict and a roar went up from the crowd as he was called the winner in 28.43 for Dean Toland. This was an 18th career success for this evergreen veteran. Voted favourite performer after his last 2 wins at Brandywell, this lad really has won the hearts of the locals and deservedly so.

The Daniel White Bookmaker 500 was a match race between Causeway Faye and A Sweet Damsel in trap5. Faye contested the Brandywell Gold Cup final earlier this year and as the lids lifted she blasted away from trap 6.

But it was to be Kyle McCarron’s night and he completed a double when A Sweet Damsel’s (King Sheeran x Misty Handwell, Jun ’22) stamina kicked in on the home straight and she went on to claim victory by 3.5 lengths in a fast time of 27.83.

Trainer Roy Ruddy also completed a double when he won the last two races of the night. In Race 6, the Graham Brothers Builders Sprint, Drumcrow Arlow (Coolavanny Hoffa x Drumcrow Honey, Apr ’23) made his racing debut a winning one when he was granted a clear run from trap 6. He arrived at the first turn with enough in hand to avoid crowding in behind and from there ran on well to win by 3.75 lengths in a smart 16.80.

Fastest of the night over the sprint was the Roy Ruddy trained Over Cast (Rileys Hill x Over Easy, May ’23) who is owned by Pearse Gaskin. After posting a highly impressive 16.58 on his racing debut last week, Over Cast was taking on classier company in Race 8, The Edgar Family Happy Campers Sprint. Ontimeforthree showed blistering early pace but faded approaching the first turn. This gifted Over Cast in trap 6 a clear passage from trap 6 and he took his opportunity once again. He won by 2.75 lengths in 16.57. This is a mighty impressive hound and he looks to have bright future.

Lifford Greyhound Stadium played host to their first meeting since rejoining the Rasaiocht Con Eireann racing model last weekend and the standout performance came in race eight, the Gerard Lindsay Memorial 550, as Zoos Ariel (2/1) ran to an emphatic victory.

Owned by Richard Grieve, this greyhound had been crying out for a step-up in trip and he made full use of the long run to the opening bend with a terrific turn of early speed to lead from four. In doing so, the son of Malachi - Helens Bay manufactured a healthy advantage down the back as A Sweet Damsel gave chase in second.

Lifford on Saturday ; Race 9 - GOODNIGHT AND SAFE HOME S2 325 was won by MAD FOR ACTION in 17.56. Pictured with Mark Lindsay holding the winner alongside all his family & friends.

Indeed, it was a case of how far as the contest progressed given his stamina abilities and he duly drew clear of ‘Damsel’ to cross the line five lengths better off. The time, on a slow track, was a swift 30.47.

Elsewhere on the card, Mad For Action produced a flawless performance over the two-bend trip for owner Mark Lindsay. This greyhound looked a certain winner on his last start at Lifford only to fade on the hill, however, he showed no such signs of a repeat display this time around. A well-supported 7/4 joint favourite, ‘Action’ showed a sizzling turn of early speed to lead early on from trap six.

In doing so, the son of Cushie Jet - Killoughrim Bale proved a class apart as he romped to a two and a half length victory over Rackethall Rambo in second. The time was a rapid 17.56.

On Sunday evening, the Northwest venue hosted their usual SIS card and Rossna Millie (15/8) took full advantage of a downgrade as she once again came from a hopeless position to score. Owned by Kirsty Harpur, the talented daughter of Ballymac Bolger - Urban Honey was out with the washing early on as the strong-running Whobreaksderules held a clear lead at the midway point.

Given the stamina qualities of the latter, the race looked done and dusted at this point, however, ‘Millie’ tore up that particular script. Producing her trademark flying finish, she came with a rattle in the closing stages to storm past the longtime leader and win by one and a quarter lengths. The time was 29.34.

CAMERA CLUB: Remembering Derry sporting figure and Tristar founder Jon 'Ugg' Clifford

Next best in terms of the clock was a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for Halfway Russo. The son of Slippy Cian arrived fresh from two lacklustre performances at Derry, however, appreciated his return to Lifford as he won comfortably. Owned by Michael Farrell, the 6/4 favourite took charge rounding the opener before drawing clear of his rivals passing the sprint boxes. Thereafter, it was a straightforward assignment for the five-time winner as he put six and a quarter lengths between himself and Richies Aprile in second. The time was 29.51.

Another smart winner on the night came in the form of Princess Aria, owned by Raymond Hamilton of Derry. Connections have shown huge patience with this lady and once she bolted from three, those loyalties were set to be repaid. With the daughter of Broadstrand Bono - Pro Melody running to a virtual solo down the back, the 3/1 chance never looked under threat as she motored up the home straight to win by two and three quarter lengths. The time was 29.55.