Bayside litter comrades land John and Maria O’Shea winning double

SATURDAY evening’s card was an all graded affair and produced some eye catching performances. Tralee owners Maria and John O’Shea had a double on the night, but it was Allaghaun River who set the standard when he posted 28.85 in Race 6, which was an A6 contest.

The November ’16 son of Tullymurry Act and Knocksouna Lady went off the well supported evens favourite despite drawing blanks on his only two previous outings. Sporting the blue jacket, he was led into the opening bend by Pumpkin Diego, but he showed good track craft to steal up along the inside of the early leader between the opening bends and led the field down the back straight. He continued to race independent through the closing curves and ran on gamely to the line to claim a maiden success by a length and a half from Pumpkin Diego. Brendans Poppy was a further four lengths back in third having recovered well after been impeded at the first.

Jointly owned by Athea natives Lar Collins and Liam Lenihan, Allaghaun River looks a decent sort although he well face sterner tests when he moves up in class.

The opening leg of the O’Shea’s double came in Race 3 when Bayside Magic (Confident Rankin/ Bayside Sparky) posted 18.19 to land an S7/S8 sprint at odds of 6/4. Making just his seventh start, he broke smartly from trap 5 and showed good awareness to race on the outside of a congested rail between the bends. My Boy Benny on his immediate outside emerged as his closet rival off the final bend, but as the latter made his bid for glory, the winner firmly cut off his racing line and nursed a one length cushion passing the finish.

Litter comrade, Bayside White claimed his maiden success at the 12th time of asking when making all to land the final race of the night (Race 9) in 29.51. A swift exit from boxes saw the 2/1 shot hold an early advantage from Feohanagh Honey and Brexit Polka in trap 6. The latter two exchanged places off the closing bends and while Brexit Polka appeared to close the gap close home, the winner held on gamely for a one length success. It was a similar distance back to Feohanagh Honey who completed the placings.

Ballyheigue handler Michael Anthony Reidy produced a smart novice to land Race 2, which was an A9/A10 contest. Feora Kerry came in as a reserve in trap 1 and landed the spoils with a trap to line victory in 29.04. The son of Tyrur Big Mike and Droumreagh Queen broke well on the rails and left his rivals in his wake on the dash to the first. He led by two lengths off the opening bend from litter sister Feora Becky in trap 3 and extended his advantage passing the sprint boxes. The latter to her credit closed the gap to a couple of lengths on the early paced leader into the third bend. However, this was as close as she was going to get to the winner until they got in the van to go home, as Feora Kerry went through the gears up the home straight a crossed the line seven lengths clear of her kennel companion. It was three lengths further back to Kilcurra Finn in third. The winner returned at odds of 6/4.

SnobswithoutBobs made it two wins from as many starts with an eyecatching display to land Race 5 for Listowel owners Berkie Browne and Mike Shine. Running from trap 3, the winner was quick to find his feet. Well clear of his rivals at the opening bend, the even money favourite ragged his rivals on the run in and finished 8 lengths clear of Headleys Rusty in 17.67. Yorkville Rosie, who was badly impeded on the home straight, was a further half a length back in third.

Other winners were Coyote Blake 18.43, Teemore Duke 29.80, O Riadas Nidge 29.07 and Dog Gone It 29.46.