Maunsell trained Lithuanian Didi claims A7 title

THE televised action from Shelbourne Park was, obviously, the big attraction at Tralee Track on Saturday night and it was great to see such a brilliant winner of the Boylesports Derby in Good News. It was also great to see the Johnny O’Sullivan-trained Native Chimes win one of the supporting races.

At the Oakview venue itself, a nine-race programme was headed up by the final of an A7 525 sweepstake sponsored by the Kerry GOBA (winner, €500) and it was won by 4/1 outsider, Lithuanian Didi, which Brendan Maunsell trains for Marius Kybartas, a Lithuanian man who fell in love with the doggy game here quite a while ago.

Brendan Maunsell is, of course, riding on the crest of a wave at the moment, especially because of the exploits of Man Twenty One, and when things are going well for you, well, they do tend to keep falling into place nicely.

The form suggested that the Patrick O’Connor-trained Caint Agus Craic would win the final and he was sent off the ½ favourite, but this fellow found himself in early trouble, along with others, and the final was really between Lithuanian Didi and Gracias Wonder.

A flying start from trap 3 lay at the heart of victory for Brendan Maunsell’s charge and, even though Gracias Wonder ran well behind him, Gearóid O’Connor’s bitch was always playing catch-up and she finished a length behind Lithuanian Didi in 29.15, with three lengths back to Caint Agus Craic.

Fastest over the standard distance on a night which acted as a fund-raiser for North Kerry Wind Turbine Awareness (a raffle offered some particularly good prizes) was the Brian Nolan-trained Willow dale henrik, which exploded out of trap 6 and won by nine lengths from Manhattan Elvis in 28.71.

Other winners: Paydayfiveo, 17.96; Bowline Galaxy, 29.61; Maglass Kinloch, 17.90; Kizzy, 29.05; Gulleen Mark, 29.51; Lingering Xpress, 17.84; Millroad Trotter, 28.93.

SATURDAY SIS MEETING: Millstreet owner, Donal G O’Mahony, continued his excellent strike rate at Tralee Track with a double at Saturday morning’s SIS meeting. He initiated it with Millridge Zephyr, which won in 29.26, and he completed it with Millridge Puzzle, which won in 29.12 (.20 slow).

The going was standard for the first four races and .20 slow after that. Other winners: Maries Song, 29.13; Pennylane Gem, 28.80; Mohane Denzel, 28.81; Carmac Express, 29.11 (.20 slow); Blue Slip, 29.77 (.20 slow); Anascaul River, 29.49 (.20 slow).