Floury Spuds impresses for Maunsell over 570
LAST Friday night’s racing produced some sparkling performances throughout a card which also included the semi-finals of the Steve Kennedy Memorial A5. However, the highlight was without doubt the performance of Floury Spuds (Zero Ten/ Paradise Maria) in race 9 when posting a scintillating clock of 30.80 for the 570 yd trip for Abbeydorney trainer Brendan Maunsell.
The winner didn’t get the smoothest of starts from trap 1, and while surrendering early ground to Enchanted Puma in trap 3, the 3/1 shot took full advantage of the long run down to the opening bend and led his rivals off the opening curve. He really opened his lungs down the back straight and was extending his advantage with every stride into the third to open an unassailable lead. The race was over as a contest at this point and all eyes were on the clock as the strapping 87 pounder finished 8 lengths clear of Dramatic Rose. The winners time was just under three lengths off the track record (30.62)which is jointly held by Raparee Polly (’08) and Toms Brett (’12).
Also catching the eye on the night was Ballymac Heather (Pinpoint Maxi/ Looney Surprise) in Race 8, which was the second semi-final of the Steve Kennedy Memorial Stake for grade A5.
Toast Of Cabra went off the evens favourite for the 525 yard test having been ultra impressive when scoring in the opening round a week previous. However the local runner stumbled badly at trap rise and he was effectively out of the contest. Rocket Hero broke best of all from trap 1, and he lead his rivals down to the opening bend. Hillview Paddy in the stripped jacket shadowed the early leader round the opening curves with Ballymac Heather kept touch back in third. The latter began to mount her challenge down the back straight and showed good track craft into the third as she made her move to the front between the two early pace setters. The Liam Dowling trained youngster left her rivals in her wake off the last bend as she finished with a powerful kick to lead home Hillview Paddy by 2 ½ lengths in 28.77. Rocket Hero held on to complete the qualifying berths back in third a further 4 ½ lengths in arrears. The winner returned at odds of 6/4 and should start a clear favorite for next Friday’s finale of the event.
Boxer Conor (Droopys Scolari/ Boxer Princess) produced a good turn of early foot to recover from a sluggish start in the opening semi final. Sporting the red jacket, the Tom Hegarty owned runner showed in front off the opening bend and his lead was never disputed for the remainder of the race. Esthers Recruit chased the leader throughout without ever making an impression. Boxer Conor stayed on gamely having negotiated the final bends and the 6/4 jf passed the line 2 ½ lengths clear of Esthers Recruit. Kilmore Eva emerged from the pack on the on the run-in to bag the final qualifying position a further 2 lengths back.
Giovan Astral (Rayvin Giovanni/ Astral Glow) has been a tremendous servant for Gneevguilla handler David Fleming and he continued his impressive recent run of form when landing the spoils in Race 6 which was run over the standard trip for Grade A0. The wily four year old showed all his track craft to recover from a sluggish start from trap 1 when moving up along the rail at the second to collar early leaders Send It Seasons and Promising. The 4/1 shot raced powerfully down the back straight however Send It Seasons and Promising were both trying desperately hard to get back into contention. The race was there to be won off the final bend for any of the leading trio, however Giovan Astral was not to be outdone and he just did enough to score a ½ length success in 28.81. Promising held off Send It Seasons by a head to claim second.
Another runner to join the sub 29 second club on the night was Denville Mille (Confident Rankin/ Denville Carol) who scored in the final race of the evening in 28.84. The Michael Baker trained runner has been steadily moving up through the grades since returning from a layoff last August and the 5/2 shot produced a dominant display from trap 1 to record a fourth career victory from 10 career starts. Having moved wide from trap rise she quickly moved back in to cut the rails round the opening bends and opened a couple of lights advantage heading down the back straight. Knocktoo Niamh gave chase off the leader into the third, however the winner was well clear at this stage and the Liam Dennehy owned runner was not for catching. Knoctoo Niamh faded somewhat off the last bend and surrendered second position to Carmac Courage on the home straight. The latter passed the line 3 lengths back from the winner.
Other winners on the night were Omega Bay 17.97, Farran Ruby 29.12, Chilout Sarkozy 29.26, Toast Of Adare 17.47 and Madabout Sydney 28.88.