Mauras Wish shines but Nidge recovers superbly
THE time might have been a long way behind the best of the night (28.81) by the ever consistent Mauras Wish, from the Ballyheigue kennels of Ger Reidy, but it was quite remarkable the way Knocknaboul Nidge managed to come through and win the third race (A5 525) at last week’s Tuesday SIS meeting at the Oakview venue.
Owned by Tadhg Kelly, of Ballydesmond, and one of two 2/1 joint favourites, Knocknabboul Nidge was badly held up twice in the race and appeared to be knocked completely out of contention rounding the third bend, but he found a different gear to those in front of him coming home and won by a length and a half from Valarian Prince in 29.98.
It was just his second win from 26 starts, but, guaranteed to be favourably graded again next time out, he has to have a great chance of following up with another victory..
Turning to the run of 28.81 by Mauras Wish, this lady always does credit to Ger Reidy. Installed the 6/4 favourite, she broke smartly from trap 3, along with Helenas Paddy from trap 4, and taking up the running as the race progressed, she powered home three and a half lengths ahead of the strong-finishing Carmac Courage, with half a length back to Hadtoberory.
Just one other winner got inside 29.00secs on the night – Boomtown Tony, owned by Brian O’Sullivan, of Abbeyfeale. A 3/1 shot in the betting, this fellow absolutely blew out of trap 5 and he won by four lengths from 9/4 favourite, Riptide Sonas, in 28.98.
The going was .10 slow for the 525yds trip and that meant that the estimated time of 28.71 by Mauras Wish was actually the fastest, marginally, by her in a 31-race career which has brought her eleven victories and seen her run into the first three a quite remarkable 27 times for career earnings of €4,715 for owner John Francis Casey, of Ballyheigue.
Over 325yds, Hawthorn Brandy motored well to score by a length in 17.81 (.05 slow) and, in the process, he was making it three wins on the trot for Patrick O’Connor, of Ballyduff, while the other winners on a night when huge money was bet into the tote pools, most of it by people on line, were: Gullane Lass, 29.62; Send It Cotton, 29.19; Pennylane Star, 29.43; Helenas Star, 29.14; Glow Bullet, 29.19; Bambam Tornado, 29.47.