Easy win for Seomra Dochas in re-run of void race

IT was well signposted on this page last week that the Castleisland-owned Seomra Dochas was likely to win the re-run of a void race at Tralee Track and, sure enough, she came along and did just that at the Oakview venue last Saturday night.

Owned by Ms Catherine O’connell, of Castleisland, Seomra Dochas (Head Bound – Seomra Sindy) was a very generous 6/4 shot in the betting, with 4/6 favouritism resting with the Glin-owned Stormy Millie, and she bore out the favourable impression she had created in the void race by comfortably seeing off the challenge of Stormy Millie in a time of 29.63 (A4 class over 525yds).

It is true that she broke much better than in the void race, but a winning margin of four and a half lengths leaves absolutely no room for argument.

The hottest race of the night was the tenth, for A1 class over the standard trip, and victory here rested with even-money favourite, Fiona’s Ranger (Droopy’s Kewell – Diana’s Ranger), owned by Paddy Purtill, of Lisselton. She disputed the lead off the first bend with a reserve, Sashas Indiana, before establishing control and beating Ardrahan Jasmin by three and a half lengths in 29.26.

Earlier, local owner, James Lynch, introduced a particularly promising novice over 325yds (S7 class) in Helena’s Spirit, a September ’ 10 whelping by Droopy’s Scolari out of Lena’s Maggie. This lady clocked a particularly smart 17.78 in racing home a length and-a-half ahead of Maglass Rumble and could well be something special.

The previous night, her litter sister, Lena’s Faye, had impressed over the standard trip and, just like Lena’s Faye, powerful early pace smoothed everything very nicely. Helenas Spirit was actually one of four 6/4 joint favourites and a clear pointer to her chances, apart from the fact that she was a litter sister to Lena’s Faye, was a two-length victory over the winner of the previous race, Galileo Girl, in a trial at Tralee in early December.

In relation to the victory of Galileo Girl, this daughter of Black Shaw and Grainne’s Gift clicked over the standard distance (Novice 2 class) for Ballylongford owner, Michael Bourke. She led off the first bend from a trap 3 draw and she went right away to score by seven and a half lengths from Maglass Girl in 29.50, justifying evenmoney favouritism in the process.

Other winners: Gentle Eileen, 30.04; Josh Bosh Begosh, 18.01; Pharaohs Fury, 29.67; Jeffs Venus, 18.23; Ballygree Black, 29.44; Droumeragh Queen, 29.44; Master Yoda, 29.66.