Scart Jim goes fastest in Novice Sweepstake heats

THERE was a bumper attendance at the Stadium on Saturday night for the fundraising event organized by the Sliabh Luachra Wind Awareness Group. The 12-race card was dominated by the opening round heats of the Novice Sweepstake (N0). The merits of the new system are still hotly debated by trainers and owners alike, but there were some decent performances recorded amongst the six heats. The going was -.10 for 525yds races and -.05 for the sprint.

Scart Jim (Droopys Jet/ Balance Sheet) posted the fastest time of the evening with a trap to line victory in Heat 2. The James O’Mahoney owned runner made a slick exit from trap 5 and quickly moved through the gears to pull clear of his rivals down the back straight. The June ’17 whelped stayed on gamely to the line and stopped the watch in 28.83. The winner looks a decent sort and returned the even money favourite. Bower Nonie ran on for second, two and a half lengths in arrears.

Next best was Restless Night (Azza Azza Azza/ Pennylane Ace) who produced an eye catching performance in the white jacket to win Heat 4 in 28.88. The evens favourite was lucky to escape a collision with Melodys Molly on her immediate left who veered right across to the outside from trap rise. The winner subsequently showed terrific early dash and led at the opening bend from Safe Crash in the stripes.

Restless Night continued to blaze a trail down the back but Safe Crash was in hot pursuit and Melodys Molly was beginning to make an impression back in third. All three were in with chances between the closing bends, however the early leader was not to be outdone and held off Safe Crash by a length with a similar distance back to Melodys Molly who will without done come on from the run.

Coom Twins (Rio Quattro/ Knocknaboul Rosie) proved a popular winner of the 10th race amongst the Sliabh Luachra faithful present. An A4 contest over the standard trip, the Michael Murphy owned runner was smartly into stride from trap 3 to lead the pack into the opening bend. The 6/4 shot was challenged down the back straight, but was full of running off the closing curves extended his advantage to two and a half length from Millridge Jodie when passing the line in 29.25.

Other winning times on the night were Millridge Spy 18.21, Mustang Kaya 29.70, Black Mechanic 18.11, Lauragh Erin 29.48, Glengort Bolt 18.01, Barrow Kempis 29.40, Lauragh Meghan 29.39, Ballads For Life 29.63, Ballinorig Rock 29.73.