The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballybunion trainers claim Prendiville Cup in Listowel
DOMAIN King (Kyle Basil/ Lyrics) claimed The John Prendiville Cup in Listowel last weekend following a thrilling final buckle with long odds favourite Ballen Voyager.
Trained in Ballybunion by Jim and Michael McMahon, Domain King came into the event on the back of a second round defeat to Wizard Matthew at the Island Cup meeting in Castleisland. The 5/1 shot got his campaign underway with wins over Ballyregan Bobby (4l) and Lisahane Mafi (2l) to book his place in the last eight. He continued on his winning ways with a two-and-a-half length win over Time James. Doon Albion provided little opposition in the penultimate round with the winner scoring by a six-length margin.
Balleen Voyager was equally impressive en route to the deciding course and both were sent to slips at odds of 4/6. Balleen was first to show off the red collar, but Domain King showed a terrific turn of foot to lead by half way. The winner held a length advantage passing the stand but Baleen showed tremendous battling qualities to close the gap with every stride and by the opening score just the bare minimum secured victory for Domain King. The winner is jointly owned by Gearoid Hartigan and Tony Delahunty from Limerick.
The Derby Trial Stake provided a surprise winner as Ever So Magic (Mafi Magic/ Slippy Toes) upset the odds to land the spoils for local trainer Edward O’Sullivan. While he was clocking consistently throughout the Stake he was the 5/1 outsider of the quartet remaining by the semi-final stage. He took on the fancied Stonepark Mick for a place in the final, and while the winner showed in front from the off, Stonepark ran off line throughout the buckle with Ever So Magic racing to victory independently.
Floating Victor came through from the bottom half of the draw and was sent to slips a hot 1/5 favourite to prevail in the final. However it was the early paced Ever So Magic that made the running through the opening 50 yards and raced clear of his rival who was struggling to find momentum. The winner held a 2½ length advantage at the opening turn.
Dick’s Bimbo (Kyle James/Barrack Bimbo) prevailed in a competitive Oaks Trial Stake and provide Tipperary handler Owen McKenna with his first qualifier of the season. Well supported in the long-odds market, the January pup was the subject of some hefty wagers and went off the 6/4 favourite prior to coursing. She showed devastating pace through the opening day’s action and was the talk of many the shrewd judge on the road home Saturday evening.
Fireheight Orla and Lishane Wonder were both accounted for by three lengths en route to the final on Sunday where the Liam Tobin owned runner was sent to slips the 2/5 favourite to prevail against the Mossie O’Connor trained Lindy’s Call. While the latter battled gamely to stay with the jolly through the opening exchanges, Dicks Bimbo quickly opened a gap between the pair which extended to 2½ lengths by the opening score. The winner looks a leading Oaks contender and enters the Classic market at odds of 12/1.
Bower Judy (NewInn Wonder/ Bower Sign) landed the points and a sizable gamble when proving best in the Jet Carroll All Age Bitch Stake. Jointly owned by John Saunders and Jonathon Best, the winner was a strong favourite going to slips against Abbeydorney winner Cree Gaisce in the deciding course. The winner made a swift exit from slips off the red collar and while Gaisce came with a strong challenge at halfway, the Barraduff runner found plenty on the testing ground and stayed on gamely for a half length success.
There was a double on the card for ‘Lone’ prefix as Lone Eagle (Kingsmill Dynamo/Nickies Tip) proved best in the Jackie Hegarty Cup for Bill and Darragh Keane, while kennel companion Lone Stripe (Tullymurry Act/Lone Class) won the Maurice Cahill Cup in the colours of Bill Keane and Noel Madden.
Tom Lynch’s Offshore Mafi (Mafi Magic/Great Ability) was declared the winner of the Dick Galvin Cup.
The Kit Browne North Kerry Cup is the feature of the Ballyduff meeting which gets underway next Friday with the opening rounds of both Derby and Oaks Trial Stakes.