First win in 32 starts for Listowel owned Payyaway

IT won’t be long until the first shots are fired in the 2018 GMHD Juvenile Classic at the Oakview venue and we will be watching great up-and-coming flying machines in action.

But other, less valuable, greyhounds help in a big way to keep the show on the road and it was particularly pleasing to see a bitch called Payyaway Sue win at last week’s Tuesday SIS meeting.

This was, you see, a first victory in 32 starts for the September ’14 daughter of Vans Escalade and Copeland Carol, and fair play to her joint owners, Keith Morton and John Price, of Listowel, for the manner in which they have so diligently persevered with her.

Payyaway Sue was an 11/2 outsider running from trap 3 in what was the fifth race (A6 525) and, after being third on the back straight behind 9/4 favourite, Bowline Norvic, and Valarian Prince, she showed in front around the third bend. Bowline Norvic came back at her and actually looked the more likely winner turning for home, but, in the most exciting of finishes, Payyaway Mandy claimed victory by a head from Bowline Norvic in 29.79, with a neck back to Valarian Prince.

In her career up to this, Payyaway Sue had been second six times and third seven times, so she was well due this victory. Yes, there were much faster times on the night for the standard trip, with Millridge Champ fastest of all in the seventh race on 29.21, but when a trier like this finally gets across the line in front in her 32nd race, everything has to take second place to that.

In relation to the victory of Millridge Champ, he set himself up for victory in the seventh race (A5 525) with a very smart from trap 2 and he won by three lengths from Shronedraugh Way.

Over 325yds, Helenas Star flew around in 17.69, while the other winners were: Dromulton Buddy, 29.62; Bville Glen, 29.89; Homestead Vicky, 29.46; Manhattan Sky, 29.34; Baltoability, 29.34; Pretty Éilish, 29.24; Knockfinisk Mick, 29.28.