Mottee Molly delivers fastest run of night

THE SEASON is building nicely towards the first big stake of the year, the Spring Unraced on Monday, March 4, as the second meeting of 2019 - an all-graded card - took place at Enniscorthy Dog Track on Thursday.

The fastest run of the night came in race seven, an A2. Reserve M, Mottee Molly, came into the race in trap four and she took full advantage as the only previous A0 in the race to break fast and lead from trap to line in a fast time of 28.61.

Race nine saw the Brendan Frayneowned Sheilas Machine follow up her impressive win of the previous week, overcoming the upgrade to again make her early pace pay.

She led around the opening bends before the runner-up, Elite Black, showed good pace down the back to go on at the third bend.

Sheilas was not going to be denied as she came back up the outside off the final bend to win going away in a good time of 28.93.

Race eight went to the George Roche-owned Express Sparkle, again making the early pace tell here as she led all the way but was made pull out all the stops to hold the persistent challenge of Likeable Laz by three-quarters of a length in a time of 28.99.

Saturday night was a very good one for Enniscorthy owners and trainers, firstly in Shelbourne Park when, in the first round of the very prestigious Easter Cup, the John Codd and Diane Brody-owned Cushie Jet put in an excellent run in heat two, running out a clearcut winner in a fast 29.56.

Cushie now has a career success of ten wins from 18 starts. The second round will be run this Saturday night.

In Waterford, the semi-finals of the Sparta Kennels Unraced Stake were decided, and here Firesand came in as reserve and won his race in the quickest of the three semis (28.87) for owner John Donohoe and handler Garry Dempsey.

Trap one made the difference it seems, and he has drawn the red sheet again in the final which should give him every chance of victory.

Ferns trainer Brendan Murphy saw Rockmount Sport put up a nice performance when running out a snug winner of the Sparta Maestro consolation unraced race for owner Carol O’Connor.

The Gary Murphy (Wexford town) owned track specialist Glenbrook View recorded his 16th career win when flashing out from his favourite trap one.

He made every yard of the running to score a comfortable win in the end to round off another good week for Co. Wexford runners.

February 14 results - race one, The Welcome to The Show Grounds Valentine’s Night: 1, Imaal Dan (owner, Catherine Walshe, Co. Wicklow), 29.28; 2, Ballinaboola Rum, 29.33.

Race two, The Valentine’s Night Hot Cuppa Trackside Diner 525: 1, Kingsmill Nikko (owner, John Roche, Barntown), 29.47; 2, Kilbricken Grace, 29.85.

Race three, The Love at First Sight 525 Stakes: 1, Uisce Vim (owner, John Kavanagh, Inglewood, Enniscorthy), 29.05; 2, Cotswold Inn, 29.19.

Race four, The Valentine’s Night @ The Show Grounds 525: 1, Rains Droopys (owners, Noel and Shane Freeman, Enniscorthy), 29.04; 2, Metric Spirit, 29.35.

Race five, The Trackside Bar 525 Stakes: 1, Greenhall Outlaw (owner, Enda Gethings, Co. Wicklow), 29.33; 2, Eyebrow, 29.34.

Race six, The Model County Valentine’s 525 Stakes: 1, Sniffer Dog (owner, Rich Stafford, Co. Wexford), 29.02; 2, Nothingtosay, 29.37.

Race seven, The Valentine’s Night in Loch Garman Stakes: 1, Mottee Molly (owners, Oliver and Michael Lott, Co. Wicklow), 28.61; 2, Treetops Jet, 28.89.

Race eight, The Trackside Diner 525 Stakes: 1, Express Sparkle (owner, George Roche, Barntown), 28.99; 2, Likeable Laz, 29.04.

Race nine, The Slán Abhaile on Valentine’s 525: 1, Sheilas Machine (owner, Brendan Frayne, Wexford town), 28.93; 2, Elite Black, 29.00.