Insidelane

LAST week’s Tuesday SIS session at the Oakview venue saw new time ratings come into force for 325yds and 525yds (plus, one supposes, for 500yds, 550yds, 570yds and 750yds). From this onwards, all 325yds races will be rated .05 slow and all 525yds races will be rated .10 slow.

It meant that the fastest 525yds winner at last Tuesday’s SIS meeting, the Anthony Slattery-trained Sign On Aki, was clocking 28.99 instead of 29.99. This was just his fourth race and, after winning a week previously by six lengths in 29.40 and taking a jump of three grades, it was quite something by him to improve by 51 spots, or more than seven lengths – and enjoy a winning margin this time of ten lengths.

Earlier in the session, a litter brother to none other than Clonbrien Hero won over the sprint distance. That was Village Hero, formerly known as Clonbrien Champ and which, in winning by three-quarters of a length in 17.82 (.05 slow), was bringing his career earnings from fourteen starts (and two victories) to €878.

Clonbrien Hero, in very sharp contrast, has won €104,278 and that shows that there can be an awful lot of luck when it comes to acquiring a pup from the same litter. Just ask Neily Nolan!

Other winners at last week’s Tuesday SIS session: Lassinagh Rebel, 29.35; Coom Twins, 29.58; Joe Blackie, 17.77; Pony Anna, 29.36; Decorated, 29.02; Hobo Jack, 29.17; Space Ghetto, 29.03; Manhattan Elvis, 29.37.