The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Octave Wonder wins Abbey’s Corn na Féile
FOR the second season in a row, Octane Wonder (NewInn Wonder/ Dynalite) confirmed his superiority over Kyle Mozart with a convincing three length success in the final of the Corn Na Féile All Age Cup held at the club grounds in Abbeyfeale last week.
In a repeat of last season’s Trial Stake final at the same venue, Octane Wonder showed terrific early foot to lead his rival early in the deciding buckle. The winner extended his advantage on the rising ground and raced independent to the opening score.
While the Mossie O’Connor trained runner was claiming his first Cup of an injury hampered season, he showed complete dominance throughout the event from his opening round threelength success over Lisahane Mafi.
He easily accounted for District Twelve in round 2 by five lengths, while he posted the fastest clock of the event when disposing of Cill Idé Classic by eight lengths in the penultimate round. Jointly owned by Tom Nolan and the Scartaglin handler, Octane Wonder will now head straight for the Irish Cup where he will be strongly fancied going on recent form.
The Corn Na Féile Puppy again provided followers of the leash with plenty of pointers and talking points during the run-up to the National Meeting, which is now just over three weeks away.
However, the general consensus was that the winner of the prestigious event, Riekers Island (Adios Alonso/Blades Of Glory) will have a big impact on this season’s Classic.
A 2/1 shot in the long-odds market, the Gerry Holian trained Westmeath United qualifier eased into action with a five-length success over the local runner Sporting Romeo.
He was equally prolific when defeating Carmac Chaos in round 2 by three lengths. The winner went straight to the final following the withdrawal of Callura Sonic, while Lodge Hill was awarded a similar passage through to the final course when the impressive Jamaica Judy was also pulled at the semi-final stage.
Reiker’s justified favouritism in the final as he made all the early running and extended his advantage to four lengths by the opening score. The Dr Paddy Kelly owned March pup is now as short as 10/1 for this season’s Derby and on current form he is very much a major player.
Both Trial Stakes provided some top class fare and thrilling final buckles were had in each qualifier. Floating Victor (Kyle King/ Floating Spirit) made up for a disappointing defeat in the Derby TS final at Listowel as he defied the odds to edge out the fancied Killacolla Tank in the deciding course.
The latter was sent to slips the 1/2 favourite and having made a smart exit from slips he held a length advantage approaching halfway. Floating Victor was hanging onto the coattails of the leader till this point; however he was finding plenty on the rising ground and began to close the gap with every stride.
He continued to excel and raced one and-a-half lengths clear of his rival by the opening score. Floating Victor is owned by Colin Wallace from Glin and trained by his wife Mairead. The winner enters the Classic market at odds of 20/1.
Iberostar (Adios Alonso/Duarigle Magic) caused a big upset in the final of the Oaks qualifier as she came from off the pace to defeat the 4s on favourite, Jumeriah Glory, by the minimum following a thrilling buckle.
There was little to choose between the pair through the opening exchanges, however Jumeriah Glory began to steal a lead on the hill and as they passed the packed terraces, the leader held an advantage of one and-a-half lengths.
However, Iberostar began to respond to the encouragement of her vocal supporters and began to eat into deficit from halfway. She showed terrific stamina to come up alongside her rival within yards of their prize and had the momentum to pull clear and take the flag by half a length.
A game performer, the winner had just come up short at both Mallow and Cappoquin, but was most deserving of her ticket here. Owned by Michael J Larkin, the winner is trained by her breeder Dan Joe Guiney from Newmarket. The April pup is a 25/1 chance for Oaks success.
The Jimmy O’Rourke Parish Derby was won by the Toddy McMahon owned Clancy (Tullymurry Act/Royal Power) who led from slips in a one and half length defeat of Finns Smile.
The Oaks equivalent was won by the impressive Pumpkin Razor (Razor Ashore/Pumpkin Aviva) who came from off the pace to race three lengths clear of All The Roses. Slippy Franky (Godsend/ Mays Maska) finished strong to defeat Lightning Rio by three and a half lengths in the final of the Glenashrone Stake for owner John Geoghegan.
Finally the Working Members Stake was won by the Master Cathal Curtain owned Barrack Charlie (Kyle James/ Barrack Bimbo) who came from a length down to win by two against Take Your Drop.