The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Barefoot Marine wins Fuller Cup for Castleisland handler
BAREFOOT Marine (NewInn Wonder/ Polar Run) opened his All Age campaign in the best possible fashion when claiming The Stephen Fuller Memorial Cup for Castleisland handler Cathal Horan at Kilflynn last weekend.
A Trial Stake runner-up at Westport last term, the Kathleen Murphy owned runner was not without his supporters in the longodds market and began the event at odds of 6/1. Following a three-length defeat of Ashmore Star in his opening buckle, he went unsighted in his next run-up against Kyle Davy with the issue being decided with the toss of a coin.
Dromtullabeg headed the overnight market at 6/4; however he made a tame exit at the quarter-final stage to Kikillogue. Barefoot Marine enjoyed a bye through to the semi-final stage where he faced Killacolla Jet. The latter was first to show, and led his rival through the early sparring. Barefoot began to rally on the rising ground and swept to the front by halfway. Finishing powerfully, he extended his advantage to two and a half lengths to progress to the deciding course.
Kyle Mozart came through the opening semi-final by a similar distance, but he was subsequently withdrawn from the final and Barefoot Marine was declared the winner.
Nickies Betty (Mafi Magic/Bridewell Rose) produced a dominant display to claim the points in the All Age Bitch Stake for Listowel owners John McCarthy and Brian O’Brien.
A highly rated pup from last season, Nickies Betty was pitted against Iberostar in the final course and with little to choose between the pair on the clocks, they both went to slips at odds of 4/6. Iberostar showed terrific early pace and lead her rival by the most of a length early doors. However, Nickies Betty produced a devastating turn of foot approaching half way and raced 2 ½ lengths clear by the opening score.
The Listowel owned runner will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with this term and has the capabilities to be a contender for the major prizes at the business end of the season.
The Oaks Trial Stake was a 64 runner event and got underway on Friday with the opening two rounds. The Liam Dowling owned Ballymac Meena (Ballymac Best/ Ballymac Adelpha) caught the eye from the opening round and she progressed through the Stake in superlative fashion. She easily defeated Joyful Popette in the penultimate course by four lengths to book the red collar in the final against Amys Hero.
The latter had no answer to the pace of Ballymac Meena in this one and the winner ran out a comfortable eight-length victor. A January pup, the winner made light of the testing underfoot conditions over the 3 days and her next outing will be eagerly anticipated by both punters and layers alike.
Barrack Bruce (Adios Alonso/Barrack Millie) upset the odds to prevail in the Reserve Derby Trial Stake for Tornafulla trainer Shane Curtain. The 12/1 outsider of the eight survivors on Sunday morning, the Limerick runner improved with every run and made the final course a procession with a five-length win over Wiseguy Sam.
Donal O Connell and Batt Heaphy teamed up to claim the Three Course Duffer as their charge Straight Legs (Adios Alonso/ Nicolas Babe) got the better of Set Sail by two lengths in the final buckle.
Cashen Flo (Cashen Legend/ Jaylos Wish) land the spoils in the Willie Walsh Memorial Cup defeating Salami Sam by over four lengths in the final course.
The Working Members Stake was won by the impressive Boomtown Fabo (Adios Alonso/ Ramble Pumpkin) who finished well to defeat Never Again by five lengths.
Next weekend the action switches to Glin with the Desmond Cup meeting getting underway on Friday with the opening rounds of the Derby Trial Stake.