Big night at the track for St Michaels College

THE final of the St. Michaels College Buster 525 (A7) was the main event on Saturday night which was run by the Listowel School in association with Kerry Palliative Care.

The semi-finals of the William Costello Ardfert Coursing Stake got the nights action underway and there were some polished performances through the 3 qualifiers. The opener saw Stopattheshop (NewInn Wonder / Fleetwood Belle) maintain his unbeaten sequence in the competition with a trap to line victory for Ballyduff owners James Allen and Dean White.

The winner broke smartly from trap 1 and while he moved wide off the last bend he nevertheless claimed a three length success over Fireheight Dove in 18.12 at odds of 1/2. Also obliging for ‘odds-on’ backers was Cianos Dream (NewInn Wonder / Sullane Rouge) priced 4/6.

This lad flew to the opening curve having shook of the early attention of Onlinesearch within a matter of strides. Running in the colors of Cian and Eanna McElligott, he powered off the closing bend to stop the clock in an impressive 17.72.

Onlinesearch stayed on to claim second two and-ahalf lengths in arrears. The final heat proved most eventful with Chasingthedream from trap 1 looking the most likely winner off the last bend having got a dream run on the rail. Classical Dream (Mafi Magic/ Specific Date) in contrast found plenty trouble at the opening bend from trap 6; however he moved right in on the rail and chased down the leader on the home straight.

Timing his run to perfection he flashed in front passing the line to record a three quarter length success in 18.12. Chasingthedream held on for second to book the final qualifying berth. The final takes place next Saturday night with Cianos Dream getting the nod to prevail in what should be a highly competitive decider.

Ahavoher Star (Laughill Blake / Baby Cheesecake) landed the spoils in the feature race of the night, the St Michaels College Buster Final. Drawn in the white jacket, the youngster took up the running at the first and led to finish where he just held off a late flourish by Quiver Wish by a length in 29.35. The winner was the well supported even money favourite and was making it two wins from two starts for The Lynchs and Walshs Syndicate from Moyvane.

The 10th race was an A2 contest and saw Coolavanny Spice (Laughill Blake/ Toms Delight) lose her maiden tag at the fourth attempt when recording the fastest time of the night, 28.77.

Having broke best of all from trap 2, the Noel Browne owned bitch moved right across the track passing the stand to surrender the lead into the opening bend to Mohane Joey. However his lead was to be short lived as Coolavanny was back in the ascendancy passing the sprint boxes and while Mohane Joey battled gamely to stay in contention down the back straight, the winner extended her lead rounding the closing bends.

The 5/4 favourite took the flag with two and-a-half lengths in hand over her rival, with Pretty Eilish a further length back in third.

Other winners on the card, Payaway Kane 29.52, Joe Blackie 17.98, Leaha Emily 2946, Tokenfire Abbie 29.40, Tims Ranger 29.06, Rashers Diva 29.31.