Artistic Guy stays strong
THE Roban Financial Novice 600 stake final was the feature on Thursday night card with a €1,500 winners prize and owner Mary Gray, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, saw her Artistic Guy, who had to overcame the tricky trap six box, make his way into third spot down the back straight behind Killure Murry who made a bold bid to lead all the way.
But the writing was on the wall turning for the judge as Artistic stayed on the stronger to get home by a length from Killmure with Pint Of Sausages running on well to grab third in a time of 33.12. This 600-yard stake was very well received and hopefully more races and stakes will be run during the year.
The 2018 April Stakes got underway with all eight heats run. The quickest was heat five winner Jaytee Geronimo who went around in a good 28.93; the only sub 29-second winner of the first round.
Another good local performance came from Eddie Carty’s Alanas Angel in heat one when recording her fifth race win scoring by three and a half lengths in a good 29.11.
The second round of the April stakes will be the feature this Thursday night and there will be some very close contests are expected judging by last week’s opening rounds. Results for Enniscorthy:
Race 1 - The Welcome to The Show Grounds Stakes (Grade: A8) - 1st: (Trap 5) Marwood Mary (Owner: David Morris, Enniscorthy, 29.80, -.30, Slow 29.50, 3/1, A5 Ld 3, FinWl).
Race 2 - The Market Square Stakes (Grade: A7) - 1st: (Trap 1) Greenhall Stella (Owner: Enda Gethings, Co. Wicklow. Trainer: Owen Doyle, 29.89, -.30, Slow 29.59, 4/1, A5 EvAw, FinWl).
Race 3 - The Trackside Diner Specials Sweepstake semi-final (Grade: A6) - 1st: (Trap 4) Ascot Bear (Owner: George Roche, Barntown, 29.28, -.30, Slow 28.98, 2/1, A2 FAw, ALd).
Race 4 - The Trackside Diner Specials Sweepstake semi-final (Grade: A6) - 1st: (Trap 2) Telex Brat (Owner: Master Aron Butler, Rathaspick, Co. Wexford. Trainer: Anton Butler; .29.54, -.30, Slow 29.24, 2/1, A3, EP, FinWl)
Race 5 - The Track Bar Sprint Stakes (Grade: SS0/1) - 1st: (Trap 3) Cow Lane Lad (Owners: Show -Committee-Syndicate, Enniscorthy. Trainer: John Kavanagh, Enniscorthy. 18.99, -.15, Slow 18.84, 2/1, S0 EP, RnOn).
Race 6 - The April Stakes Starts This Thursday 525 (Grade: A5) - 1st: (Trap 1) Sandeal Racer (Owners: The Felthard-Syndicate, c/o John O’Leary. Trainer: James Nolan, 29.71, -.30 Slow 29.41, 5/4, A4 FAw, ALd).
Race 7 - The Loch Garman Five Seven Five Stakes (Grade: A4/5) - 1st: (Trap 2) Fox Cub (Owner: Sean Furlong, Wexford Town, 32.10 -.30, Slow 31.80, 2/1, A3 FAw, FinWl).
Race 8 - The Slan Abaile Five-Two-Five Stakes (A1/2) - 1st: (Trap 3) Stripe Pal (Owner: Ned Freeman)