The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
O’Connor’s Away Razor takes derby at Ballyduff
AWAY Razor (Razor Ashmore/Carrowclough) produced the goods on his maiden outing to claim the Derby Trial Stake ticket at Ballyduff last Sunday.
The smartly bred June puppy upset the odds at the semi-final stage when he took on the Michael O’Donavan trained Jamaica Jude who was trading at odds of 1/3 for outright success.
However it was the Patrick O’Connor trained youngster who showed in front and held a half length advantage through the opening strides.
His early pace proved imperative to the outcome of the buckle as he maintained his advantage through to the opening turn of what was the shortest slip of the day.
As a result, the Tarbert owned runner was sent to slips a clear favourite for the final course against Sharkinthedark. A winding hare made life extremely difficult for both runners in the final as puss veered right off her running path and both finalists appeared off-line for much of the buckle.
However once Away Razor picked up sight of his game he decided the outcome of the course with a swift acceleration to take the opening turn of 4.
Owned by the Razor Gang Syndicate, which is headed up by the popular Joe O’Connor, the winner enters the Classic market at odds of 16/1.
Pilgrim Victoria (Thomas The Tank/ Cushie Victoria) made it a clean sweep in the Trial Stakes for Kerry owned runners with a resilient display over the three days of action.
Also a June whelp, the Mossie and Donie O’Sullivan owned pup was a model of consistency throughout the Stake and a twolength win over Cashen Sammer in the penultimate round saw the Listowel runner progress to the deciding course against Red Mirage.
While Pilgrim Victoria held a slight edge with the clock men, the pair went off at odds of 4/6. Inseparable through the opening exchanges, the winner found plenty on the rising ground and finished much the stronger to land the spoils by one and a half lengths.
Being so young, the winner will no doubt improve over the winter months and on last weekend’s evidence she will cherish the testing hill at Powers town. Her current odds of 25/1 look inviting.
The Kit Browne North Kerry Cup was the feature event of the weekend and was won by the impressive Kyle Mozart (Kyle Basil/Lyrics).
The winner beat some real decent opponents en route to the final in what was one of the most competitive All Age events this season.
The Marie Field owned runner’s overall dominance of the event was remarkable with the locally owned Tellmemorelies getting closest to the winner when going down by two lengths at the quarter final stage.
He got the better of Drive On Smokey by three lengths at the semi-final stage, while he produced a similar winning performance when accounting for a tired True North in the deciding course.
Skellig Bright (Adios Alonso/ Skellig Babe) claimed the points in the All Age Bitch Stake having ‘ran-up’ at Regional earlier in the season.
Owned by Tim O’Driscoll but trained in Clonmel by Don McLean, the winner needed to be at her best in the final as she was put to the pin of her collar by the local hopeful, GerTwo.
The winner survived a late bid for glory by the Maurice O’Connor owned runner to just shade the result in a just up decision.
Finally, the Village Inn Cup was won by the Ballylongford owned Dropout Fitz (Kyle Basil/ Chubbys Cove) who led from slips in the final against Fortfield Mick to record a four-length victory. Paddy Ferris claimed the local bragging rites when Ramona Jingles (Jingles/ Giveitticeaser) proved best in the Working Members Stake.
He showed good early foot to lead out Fortfield Lucy in the final and extended his advantage to three and-a-half lengths on the rising ground to take the opening score.
The Brendan Fealy trained Ballyina Babe (Kyle Ranger/ Byerley Babe) impressed when winning the Surplus Bitch Stake with a 4 length win over Bonalba Babe.