Nametab Dior in top form
THE FIRST benefit night of the year took place at Enniscorthy Dog Track on Thursday in aid of Oulart-The Ballagh.
It was a very successful fundraiser, and a big crowd turned out to enjoy a good night’s racing.
A number of nice runs featured, and the display of Nametab Dior in race seven was impressive as she strode on at the third bend to race home a clearcut winner in a very good 31.42 (575), a career best.
Race one saw Jaytee Geronimo lead the field a merry dance, running out an easy six-length winner in a good 28.90, while in race four Cactus Seacrest continued to move up the grades, recording his third straight win in a career best 29.01.
In race five, Ballinaboola Jet did very well to get up to grab the money close home, beating Cotswold Inn and long-time leader Lisnakill Messi by a length and a neck respectively.
Oxtail Oscar got back to winning ways in race eight, recording her eighth win when coming home four lengths too good for Cyrils Pronto in a time of 28.92.
Race nine over 575 yards saw a blanket finish, with Sniffer Dog getting the verdict right on the line.
Telex Brat recorded her eighth win from 25 starts when taking race ten snugly in a good time of 29.04.
Next Monday night, March 4, is one for the notebook as the first unraced of the year will start, with a €3,000 first prize. The whispers on the ground suggest some very good novices are entered, and a good crowd is expected .
The Easter Cup continued with the second round at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, but there was no luck for Enniscorthy hope Cushie Jet as he failed to qualify in his heat that was won in a very fast time of 29.32 (550 yards).
February 21 results for Enniscorthy - race one, the Anthony Darcy Stakes: 1, Jaytee Geronimo (owner, Larry Ellard, Co. Carlow), 28.90; 2, Karlow Leader, 29.32.
Race two, the Peter Waters Electrical Stakes: 1, Metric Seán (owner, Pauline Byrne, Marshalstown), 29.19; 2, Carrigoe Caitlin, 29.75.
Race three, the MSK (Michael Kelly) 525 Stakes: 1, Knockavoreen (owners, Humphrey O’Riordan and Kieran Crean, Co. Wexford), 29.47; 2, Cloud Chaser, 29.57.
Race four, the Martin Fortune Transport Ltd. Stakes: 1, Cactus Seacrest (owner, Ian Tierney, Kilmore), 29.01; 2, Woodgrove Lach, 29.15.
Race five, the O’Connor Brothers 525 Stakes: 1, Ballinaboola Jet (owner, Niamh Murphy, New Ross), 29.14; 2, Cotswold Inn, 29.21.
Race six, the Brendan Hickey Stakes: 1, Up The Shannon (owner, Eddie Doyle, Enniscorthy), 29.28; 2, Unavera, 29.56.
Race seven, the Atlas Agri. Ltd. 575 Stakes: 1, Nametab Dior (owners, MP syndicate, Donabate; trainer, Geoff Bateman); 2, Whitemill Lad, 31.87.
Race eight, the Nelabuild Fit Out and Refurbishment Stakes: 1, Oxtail Oscar (owner, James Whelan, Co. Wicklow), 28.92; 2, Cyrils Pronto Scolari Me Daddy Pronto Aideen, 29.20.
Race nine, the Monbeg Stables Donnachadh Doyle Ltd. 575: 1, Sniffer Dog (owner, Rich Stafford, Ballymitty), 32.04; 2, Rathsilla Alli, 32.06.
Race ten, the John Dockrell A2 525 Stakes: 1, Telex Brat (owner, Aaron Butler, Rathaspeck; trainer, Anton Butler), 29.04; 2, Ballinaboola Mia, 29.14.