Sam’s big step forward
THERE WAS some good track action last Thursday night featuring the semi-finals of the Vimmerby Open Unraced Stake and the Credit Union A3 Stake.
Nice doubles were recorded along with some very good, fast times.
The Liam Butler Snr.-trained Annacurra Sam made a big step forward when showing good early pace, taking the first semi of the unraced stake when recording a very good 28.93 from Fairly Tasty and disappointing favourite Droopys Clement.
Early pace was very much to the fore in the second semi also as the Thomas Breen (Enniscorthy)-owned Womens Champ showed fine early form and made every post a winning one when holding off the finishing Piercestown Anna and Bohar Nua Lad in a time of 29.14.
The in-form team of the WKC syndicate (Bagenalstown) recorded a fine double in races six and nine, with their Karlow prefix very much to the fore in recent weeks.
Karlow Billy scored in the first semi of the Credit Union Stake, getting home by a head in a very close finish, with Monamolin Tank and Jills Jaguar dead heating for the remaining qualifying spots.
The second semi saw trainer Nick Turner complete his double on the night, earlier scoring with the ultra-consistent Vaz Te who was recording his 19th race win in 29 seconds in race three.
It was his Sound Boy, owned by Kim Bergin (Waterford), who was most impressive when taking the second semi in the Credit Union Stake.
Getting out well from his trap two box, he simply was in a different league on this occasion, romping home a clear winner in a fast 28.80.
Slightly Mod and Desirable Fella got the remaining qualifying spots.
Race eight, an A1, was a very good one, and the Francis Kentowned Except Change product a career best to lead and battle on very well to hold reserve Tagalong Roy and Elite Sammy by half a length and the same in a fast 28.85.
This Saturday is Ennicorthy Credit Union night with free entry, and anyone going to the dogs on Thursday can pick up their free ticket.
Race one, Welcome To Enniscorthy A5/A6 525: 1, Archaton Somedog (owner, David Jordan, Wexford town), 29.19; 2, Rockmount Zebo, 29.33.
Race two, ladies’ night @ Enniscorthy A4 525: 1, Alien Daisy (owner, Mary E. Browne, Gorey), 29.45; 2, Call Him Timmy, 29.46.
Race three, The Arkle Cider A3 525: 1, Vaz Te (owner, Robert F. Bennett, England; trainer, Nick Turner), 29.00; 2, Yogis Hamstring, 29.42.
Race four, The Vimmerby @ Stud Open Unraced 525 semi-final: 1, Annacurra Sam (owner, William Moules, Co. Wicklow; trainer, Liam Butler), 28.93; 2, Fairly Tasty, 29.03.
Race five, The Vimmerby @ Stud Open Unraced 525 semi-final: 1, Womens Champ (owner, Thomas Breen, Enniscorthy), 29.14; 2, Piercestown Anna, 29.21.
Race six, The Credit Union A3 525 semi-final: 1, Karlow Billy (owners, WKC syndicate, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow), 29.28; 2, Jills Jaguar, 29.29.
Race seven, The Credit Union A3 525 semi-final: 1, Sound Boy (owner, Kim Bergin, Co. Waterford; trainer, Nick Turner), 28.80; 2, Slightly Mod, 29.50.
Race eight, The Track Bar A1 525: 1, Except Change (owner, Francis Kent, Co. Wexford), 28.85; 2, Tagalong Roy, 28.88.
Race nine, June A2 575: 1, Karlow Crean (owners, WKC syndicate, c/o Henry Kelly, Co. Carlow), 31.42; 2, Tagalong Hawkeye, 31.84.