Favourites dominate second round heats of Kerry Group Club Championship sweep

FRIDAY night’s action was dominated by the second round heats of the Kerry Group Club Championship A3 Sweepstake. It proved a good night for the punters with the three of the four heats producing winning favourites. Twelve remain in the hunt for honours, and next Friday’s semi-finals will be eagerly anticipated.

The opening heat (Race 6) saw Sarasota Black (Aero Ardiles/ Slender Lady) make it back to back wins in the Stake for Ballylongford owner Michael Bourke. Similar to his opening round success, the winner produced a powerful kick from halfway to take up the running at the third bend. The even money favourite didn’t make the quickest of starts from trap 2, and sat in third position off the opening bend behind the early paced Mauras Wish who was housed on his immediate outside. Millridge Tip separated the pair but Sarasosta Black showed his trademark kick down the back and easily cleared the early pace setters to lead at the third. The winner extended his lead on the run to the line and flashed past the winning post in 28.81.

The scrap for qualifying spots was furious in behind with Mauras Wish holding for second four and a half lengths back from the winner while Ballyhar George collared the fading Millridge Tip close home to claim third a further length and a half back.

Heat 2 (Race 7) saw Clonalis Bigmike (Tyrur Bigmike/Calling Val) break best in the blue jacket and the early pace setter led by five lengths down the back straight. Ballymac Taxi completely missed the kick from trap rise; however he clawed his way back into contention approaching the third. The 5/2 priced leader was beginning to come back to the field somewhat off the last and Shlowdown Smiler was emerging from the chasing pack as his biggest danger.

The latter appeared completely out of it passing the sprint boxes, but he was full of running from halfway and the finish line just came quick enough for the long time leader as he held off Shlowdown Smiler by half a length in 28.89. Ballymac Taxi ran on to finish a length back in third.

The Johnny Kelliher trained Smearla Dazzle continued on his impressive start to his fledgling career when justifying odds of even money to land heat 3 (Race 9). The son of Razldazl Jayfkay and Smearla Federal didn’t make the quickest of starts from trap 1, but traps 2 and 3 moved out on the run down and allowed plenty of racing room for the ‘jolly’ to race on the rail between the opening curves. The winner showed good back straight pace to draw three lengths clear by the third and the Caoimhe Nolan owned runner raced independent to the finish line in 28.92.

Fast Mike was four lengths back in second, with Fortfield Grace completing the trio a further length down.

Confident Petal (Confident Rankin/Coolavanny Sella) and Ballylane Vic disputed favoritism in the final heat (Race 10) at odds of 6/4f and the pair, who were both drawn on the outside, had the run of the race between them. Ballylane Vic showed all the early pace from trap 5 and as he straightened up off the second bend found himself four lengths in front.

Confident Petal gave chase down the back straight and began to mount a serious challenge off the final bends. The Jeremiah Kerins owned bitch finished much the stronger of the duo and the staying sort opened a two-length advantage to prevail in 29.08. Skips Brew, who found all sorts of bother through the opening bends, ran on to complete to take the final qualifying berth a further half a length back.

Also winning on the night were Another Pickels 29.50, Vito Nugget 29.98, Cheeky Bob 17.73, Knocknaboul Jade 28.81, Helenas Paddy 17.86, Jasons Pearl 17.78 and Lassa Exquisite 31.06.