The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Carmac Courage goes best in Rose Stakes heats
THE opening round of the Speedrite Rose Of Tralee Stakes dominated Friday’s action at Tralee Stadium, while the supporting card also provided some top quality action. The standard trip was officially rated -.30 slow owing to the heavy rain that fell throughout the day. The sprint trip was -.05 slow.
The opening heat saw plenty of support for the Dermot Fitzgerald owned Stormy Tommy (Blackstone Gene/ Storming Coco) who came in as a reserve in trap 4. The evens favourite really packed a punch from halfway and picked up early leader Cosmic Angel at the third bend. Whilst surrendering precious ground when moving wide off the last, the Glin owned runner stayed on gamely up the home straight to score a onelength success in 29.33. Another Pickles claimed second with a similar distance back to the sole wide seed Lissycasey Lola in third.
Carmac Courage (Tullymurry Act/ Hollies Indi) produced the fastest clock of the opening round in heat 2 with a trap to line victory in 28.97. The 6/4 shot made good his trap 1 berth, and took full advantage of a dream run down to the opening bend. The Gearoid Carmody runner was full of running throughout and was full value for his two-length success. Mayfly and Pawsfordell were having a right battle for second behind the leader with the latter outstaying his rival off the last bend by two lengths.
The Aimee O’Connell owned Tevee Bailey (Kinloch Brae/Teevee Princess) came from off the pace to land the spoils in heat 3. Sporting the stripped jacket, the 3/1 chance showed good track craft to move up the inside of the early paced Garfiney Champ at the third bend. The Duagh runner was put to the pin of his collar close home and just done enough to repel Saeed Tashadelek by a half length in 29.38.
Milestone Gatsby (Oaks Road/ Milestone Sonata) surrendered plenty ground to his rivals at trap rise in heat 4, but the Gerard Dowling owned runner packed a real punch from halfway and powered through the field to take up the running at the third. Once in front the Listowel runner hit the font he extended his advantage with every stride and a 5 ½ length victory in 29.49 was not over flattering. Cape Rome and Kyletaun Diamond had a right tussle for second, with the early leader Cape Rome just keeping his snout in front to edge it by a short head.
The final heat of the opening round went the way of the money as the 4/6 priced Droopys Control (Aero Majestic/ Droopys Dance) proved best for Doon handler Pat Buckley. Breaking moderately from trap 6, the October ’16 whelp was led through the opening bends by the early paced Boomtown Tony. However the favourite loomed large down the back straight and glided to the front at halfway. He found plenty off the closing bends and stayed on well for a five-length victory in 29.07. Lassinagh Grand, who came in as a reserve in trap 2 claimed second with Kings Arrival a further three lengths back in third.
The Mossie O’Connor trained Kit Commando made a successful return to the track when scoring in the final race of the night, which was a grade A3 contest. The son of Droopys Nidge and Unique Brenda had not raced since early February but he showed no signs of rustiness when stopping the clock in 28.56. The well supported evens favourite took up the running off the second bend and was five lengths clear of Crossfield Yaya passing the line.
Also winning on the night were Lanody Brend 29.70, Cashcube Lady 17.76, Darragh Jet 17.48, Darrig ALainn 30.93and Varvatos 28.95.