Camp Sophie leads from trap to line to win KGOBA Stake A8 final

THE final of the KGOBA Stakes A8 was the feature race of Saturday night’s programme at the Stadium, and the fast improving Camp Sophie (Tyrur Big Mike/ Princess Lassie) upset the odds somewhat in the feature with a trap to line victory for James O’Reagan.

Drawn in trap 3, Camp Sophie was freely available at odds of 3/1 with March Seventeen installed the warm evens favourite in the red jacket. A moderate start left the ‘jolly’ trailing the early paced runners. Camp Sophie broke best of all and held a clear advantage into the first bend. She continued to accelerate off the opening curves and had her rivals well strung out heading down the back straight. Patanjali from trap 4 tried best to chase down the early leader but he failed to make sufficient progress to get on terms with the eventual winner. Staying on gamely to pass the line in a decent time of 28.78, Camp Sophie finished one length clear of Patanjali, with a further 5 lengths back to March Seventeen.

Quickest on the night was the impressive Ballyard Jenny (Premier Fantasy/ Laughil Laura) from the Tralee kennels of Michael Daly. The lightly raced bitch was a warm 2/5 favourite to collect in Race 7 which was for grade A3 and she duly obliged in most impressive fashion. The race was a five- runner event with trap 5 an absentee.

The winner broke smartly from trap 4 but she was joined on the run to the opening bend by Register in the stripped jacket. The pair collided with each other just off the bend, however Ballyard Jenny made light of the bump and powered clear of her rivals to lead independently. She extended her advantage with every stride down the back straight and the race was effectively over as a contest at this point. The winner railed magnificently off the closing bends and flashed passed the line in 28.58. It was a whopping 13 lengths back to Leaha Sky in second who just held off Mixandmingle by a short head.

Tokenfire James (Laughil Blake/ Kilara Abbie) broke his maiden in Race 7 and he done it in fashion by stopping the watch in 28.94. The evens favorite was moderately away from trap 2 and was led to the opening bend Kilmore Gold on his immediate right. The leading duo pulled well clear of the rest down the back straight. Kilmore Gold raced wide approaching the third bend and the Seamus Cooper owned Tokenfire James took full advantage and made his move along the rails. Once in front, the winner pulled well clear of his rival and flashed past the line with an advantage of six lengths.

Also winning on the night were Yukan Prince 17.76, Clonkil Jet 29.31, Abbey Paradise 29.39, Rigil Kentaurus 29.01, Keel Star 17.82, Brindle Ciss 31.08 and Slippery View 29.07.