NO SOCK GAR SETS THE STANDARD IN NORTHWEST GREYHOUND SUPPLIES TRI-DISTANCE
Peter Farrell
Kindly sponsored by Northwest Greyhound Supplies & the NWGOBA, the opening round heats of the similarly named A2/A3 Tri-Distance got off to a flier at Lifford Stadium on Sunday evening and the standout performance was that of No Sock Gar in the concluding heat of the stake.
In what looked a hugely competitive stake prior to the opening round, the 525-yard leg produced in abundance and No Sock Gar delivered on several whispers surrounding his talents prior to taking to traps. Sent off as the 6/4 favourite, the son of Malachi and Fast Fit Maeve came into the event with a sparkling 17.49 trial and he displayed massive early dash to take control on the run-up from trap four. From here, Patrick McIntyre and Dan McGilloway’s June pup drew clear of his rivals down the back before maintaining a relentless gallop on the run for home. Showing that the step-up to 550 next time out shouldn’t prove an issue, No Sock Gar crossed the line over five lengths clear of Eager Aine in second, while Blackstone Aldo produced his trademark big finish to seal the third qualifying spot The time was a blistering 28.74.
BACK TO BACK FOR NANDO
In heat one, Quivers Nando left it late but he sealed back-to-back wins at the Northwest venue with a determined performance for his Monaghan handler, Benny Treanor.
In a race where the lead changed hands on three occasions, it was Unwanted Present who bolted from trap four to lead early. Steering a wide course was Quivers Nando and he swept the opening turn to get into contention, while Shes Cool was also battling for supremacy on the inside. Nip and tuck down the back, it was three in a line turning for home, however, Quivers Nando stayed on best of all to cross the line just a neck clear of Unwanted Present in second. Justifying his 6/4 favouritsm, the son of Airmount Nando and Quivershillcroft, the time was another rapid 28.86.
FOUR FROM FIVE FOR IN-FORM PIVOTAL
Pivotal Time is quickly becoming something of a track specialist at Lifford and Kelmore McConaghie’s charge sealed another flawless victory in a competitive heat two.
Sent to traps as the 2/1 favourite, Pivotal Time was expected to produce another one of her ping breaks from two and she did just that to comfortably lead on the run to the opener. Follom Fleet set off in chase heading into the back, however, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Pro Melody is a tough nut to crack when on the bunny. Tuttles Bruno, who was some ten lengths adrift early on did make rapid inroads in the closing yards and will be a force in the stake going forward; however, on this occasion it was too little too late as Pivotal Time crossed the line to win in comfortable fashion. The time was 28.78.
UNRELIABLE ANYTHING BUT
The remaining heat was landed by the evergreen Unreliable as he once again proved he has plenty in the tank despite his timestamp.
Owned by Willie Mullan, who incidentally notched 1000 career winners last weekend, Unreliable duly made it 1001 for the Derry handler with another polished performance. A July 19’ whelp, the son of Over Limit and Kittys Box broke well from red, however, was tapped for early pace by Xhaka, who was chasing back-to-back wins. A stout stayer, Unreliable (5/2) never accepts defeat and despite looking destined to finish second, he upped the ante around the final turn to finish with a wet sail to seal a short-head victory. A thoroughly brilliant servant for the Mullan kennel, the time was 29.22.
ELSEWHERE
Earlier in the card, Gortin Sid delivered a clinic in race two for Niall and Darragh McGhee. An April son of Droopys Sydney and the brilliant Nemesis, the strapping blue looked well-handicapped and his starting price suggested as much when installed the even money favourite. Slowly into stride from two, ‘Sid’ immediately excelled into the opening corner to take charge and it was lights out thereafter for his rivals. Pescadero made a fine fist of it in second, however, ‘Sid’ was always in control and crossed the line one and a quarter lengths clear of his rival, in a slick 17.54.
Race seven was the ‘Congratulations Willie Mullan A4 525’ and this was landed by another fan favourite, Eager Colm. Known for his blistering starts out wide, conditions looked perfect for Damien McConville’s tracker and he certainly thrived early on with his trademark ping start from the stripes. Chased by Dance Cooper down the back, the leader looked like a sitting duck rounding the bottom two bends, however, the son of Drumcrow Trump battled hard to make every inch of the running. Just a neck between the pair crossing the line, ‘Colm’ sealed an amazing seventeenth career victory, in a time of 29.10.
The draw for the semi finals of the €1,500 to the winner Northwest Greyhound Supplies A2/A3 Tri-Distance was made shortly after and is as follows :
550YDS
T1 – PIVOTAL TIME
T2 – UNRELIABLE
T3 – UNWANTED PRESENT
T4 – NO SOCK GAR
T5 – XHAKA
T6 – TUTTLES BRUNO
***
T1 – MOYOLA MAC TIRE
T2 – BLACKSTONE ALDO
T3 – SHES COOL
T4 – EAGER AINE
T5 – BURGESS GIRL
T6 – QUIVERS NANDO