The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Madabout Max lands ON2 feature for Johnny O’Sullivan
THE final of the ON2 Stakes was the feature of a busy 12-race card at the Stadium on Friday night. The going on the night was rated .10 slow for the standard trip with the sprints back -.05. Wide seed Madabout Max made the most of a clear run from trap six in the main event to land the spoils for Castleisland handler Johnny O’Sullivan.
Having been led home by Mischief Champ on his debut a week previous, Madabout Max (Droopys Nidge/ Madabouther) again played second fiddle to his rival over the opening yards. However this time round the deficit at the opening bend was much closer with the winner breathing down the neck of his rival.
Indeed the 6/4 shot took up the running between the bends and moved smartly through the gears on the wide outside. Also making steady progress was the well supported even money favourite Baltony Boy and the trio were well clear off the remaining runners off the final bend. However, Baltony Boy did his chances no good when racing on an extreme wide path off the last and Madabout Max turned the screw on his rivals on the dash to the line to record a three length success in 17.80. The winner, who is owned by Kildare native Pauric Kelly, looks a decent sort and should make the step up in trip with relative ease.
There was a double on the night for Batt O’ Shea from the Spa as he produced Labana Whack and Labana Sadie to victory. Labana Whack took on A7/A8 opposition in Race 4 and went to traps the 6/4jf with Kilmore Dawn.
The latter made the early running and led independent till the third bend where he was joined by the eventual winner. With momentum firmly on his side, one would have thought that Labana Whack would go on to dominant the contest however Kilmore Dawn reacted in the best possible fashion to once again get in front through the closing bends. The race was firmly in the melting pot up the home straight however the son of Tullymurry Act and Ballycannon Tiny just got the better of his rival in the final yards to forge victory by a ‘head’.
Labana Sadie’s win was even more dramatic as she held off a late surge by Hannahs Dream by a ‘short head’ in Race 6. Ubberima Fides made the early running however the petrol light began to flash for the early paced runner on the approach to the final bend which allowed Labana Sadie take command of the contest entering the final yards. Hannahs Dream came with a massive run late on having been hampered early in the contest and bore down on the leader on the approach to the line which came just in the time for the winner who hung by the narrowest of margins.
The ninth race on the card was an open contest with the honors going to the Donal G. O’ Mahoney trained Millridge Blitz. The son of Bickerton Boom and Sign On Kate has been a terrific servant for his Millstreet handler and finished best of all in a competitive race to claim a 12th career success. However he looked an unlikely winner passing halfway as he sat in fourth position, albeit with the field tightly bunched.
Goatsoul Paddy led the pack at this stage and appeared to be in prime position to go on and finish the deal. Millridge Blitz showed good track craft to race up the inside on the approach to the third in a move which would prove decisive. Making the running off the final bend, he withstood a renewed effort by Goatsoul Paddy to return the 2/1 winner by a neck. Cashen Maputo completed the trio a further length back in third.
Other winners on the were Steeple Rd Venus, Glengort Bolt 18.16, Millroad Time 29.62, Skips pearl, Stayaway Blake 29.63, Feather Breeze 17.51,Catch The Action 28.95, Jasons Tas 28.98.