The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Trap to line win for Shaws Saffron in Novice Stake final
THE final of the Kingdom Stadium Novice Stake (A0) was the feature event of a 10-race program on Friday night.
The early pace of 2/1 shot Shaws Saffron proved decisive here as the daughter of Ballymac Vic and Shaws Impact broke smartly from trap four and only had the company of Lissatouk Bruno in the white jacket on the run to the opening bend. Shaws Saffron had trailed home the latter in the semi-final so it was vital that he led at the bend. The winner duly obliged and pulled clear up the back straight to hold a couple of lengths advantage approaching the third. The rest of the field were well strung out behind the leaders at this point with many being held up following congestion at the opening bend.
The winner was continuing to turn the screw out in front as between the final bends the challenge of Lissatouk Bruno was beginning to fade away. Adis Ababba was making terrific headway from halfway and at this juncture appeared to be the leader’s main danger. The latter reduced the deficit with every stride on the run to the line but Shaws Saffron just about did enough to score by three parts of a length in a very respectable time of 28.77.
Owned by Jack Armshaw, the Jun ’17 whelp looks a decent sort.
Fastest time of the night came in Race 8 when Send It Hobbs posted 28.56 in impressive style to score in A1 company. The Pat McMahon owned runner was claiming a seventh career success and the catalyst for his victory came from a blistering start out of trap 4 which saw him lead at the opening bend. Promising had also made a decent start from the outside and was just off the pace rounding the opening bends.
The 3/1 priced Send It Hobbs continued to set the pace past halfway but there were plenty with chances in behind as the chasing pack stalked the early leader. The challenge of Promising began to fade between the final bends with Cossard Jet emerging as the biggest threat to the long time leader as they straightened up for home. However, try as he might he could not reel in the winner who stayed out the trip well to record a seventh career success. Cossard Jet was three parts of a length back in second with Lee Smasher completing the trio a further length and a half in arrears.
It was quiet apt that John Kelly should produce a winner on the night that he received the Hall Of Fame award. What made it extra special was that the winner in question, Patsys Opinion (Definate Opinion/ Flying Indi) is owned by his two grandsons Sean and Dominick Regan.
The race in question was the third race of the evening and was a sprint for S7 grade. Priced at 5/2, the winner was quick to find his feet from trap 4 and held a length and a half advantage at the opening bend from Ramona Gaisce. It was effectively a two dog race at this juncture and while Ramona Gaisce did close up on the leader close to the line, Kelly’s charge held on gamely to score by a ½ length in 18.30. 5/4 favourite Doonhill Rebel was a further three lengths back in third.
Other winners on the night were Tokenfire Man 18.39, Ossy Wink 29.37, Octagon Sulos, Derby Lark 29.06, West Tip 28.81, Misty Supreme 28.69, Millridge Dame 29.13.