The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Lixnaw come out in force to honour the late Paul Wallace
THERE was an excellent attendance at the stadium on Saturday night to support the Lixnaw GAA as they raise funds for the development of their club grounds. The feature race of the evening was the Paul Wallace Memorial Buster Stakes Final which was named in memory of their outstanding chairman who passed away recently.
An exceptional community man, Paul was the heart and soul of his local club and was a driving force in the development of the new playing surface. The large and enthusiastic support shown by young and old members of Lixnaw GAA on the night left us in no doubt that Paul’s legacy will live on for many generations to come.
Millridge Zoey (Bickerton Boom/ Milridge Genie) proved best in the final itself having led throughout from her trap 2 berth. Moving wide from trap rise, the Donal G. O’Mahony trained runner showed good early pace to hold a half a length advantage from Kilmore Dawn on her immediate inside at the opening bend. The progressive April ’17 whelp pulled clear of her rival down the back straight and had the field well strung as she raced into the third curve. She extended her advantage on run in and was full value for her five-length win in 29.10.
Kilmore Dawn stayed on to claim second, while Clonkil Blackie recovered well from early misfortune to complete the trio a further two lengths in arrears.
Black Desire (Scolari Me Daddy/ Droopys Axis) was the pick of the winners from a strong supporting card when he flashed past the line in an impressive 28.45 in Race 8. Smartly away from trap 1, the Mossie O’ Connor trained youngest showed good pace to lead at the first bend in this A0 contest. Whilst he raced wide off the opening bend, he continued to pull clear of his rivals. Caint Agus Craic gave chase off the second bend with Glow Bullet another length off the pace back in third.
The pace of the leader had the field well strung out as he negotiated the final curves and the Maurice and Michael O Connor owned runner continued to set a relentless pace up the home straight despite racing wide off the last bend. The evens favourite finished a length and a half clear of Caint Agus Craic, who in turn held a two-length cushion over Glow Bullet back in third.
Send It Hobbs (Scolari Me Daddy/ Ballymac Wander) produced a career best performance to score in Race 8 which was for grade A1. The winner broke smartly from trap 1; however Darragh Jet went down best of all from trap 6 to lead at the first. The latter had the run of the race until the third bend when Send It Hobbs showed good track craft to move up the inside of the early leader.
The winner led off the last and stayed on powerfully up the home straight to record a two-length success in 28.58 for local trainer Pat McMahon. Darragh Jet ran on to take second two lengths back from the winner.
Further winners on the night were Octagon Sulous 18.41, Conaic View Minn 29.33, Killahan Vinny 17.88, Bright Bell 29.16, Steeple Rd Ethan 17.75, Ardfert Rooster 28.92 and Headleys Bud 29.38.