ANA HEADS A HOLLAND HAT-TRICK IN PRODUCE STAKES OPENER
Peter Farrell
Friday night saw the opening round of the 2025 Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes get underway at Clonmel and while Faypoint Ranger made a winning start in his quest for back-to-back Classics, it was kennel companion Rural Ana that went quickest with a dominant performance in heat five.
Owned by the Scotts-Clan-Syndicate, Rural Ana was a smart winner of an A3 contest last time out, however, the step-up in class certainly didn’t faze her as she pinged from trap two to lead Fun Inthe Run early on. In doing so, the daughter of Pestana and Rural Aloha held a narrow advantage into the back as Droopys Orator improved into second for Murt Leahy. However, ‘Ana’ upped the ante at the penultimate bend as she stopped the sectional clock in a brisk 16.11 and it proved a formality thereafter as the classy brindle drew clear of the field to win by seven and a half lengths clear. The time was a scorching 28.36 as both Fun Inthe Run and Braveheart Bambi claimed second place in a dead-heat finish.
RANGER KICK-STARTS TREBLE
Indeed, prior to the performance of Rural Ana, Faypoint Ranger made a winning return to action in heat one.
Understandably installed as the 2/5 jolly, things didn’t go totally to plan for Patricia Flanagan’s charge early doors as he stumbled from trap one to briefly disrupt his progress. In contrast, it was kennel mate Bartlemy Mainoo that broke best of all, however, ‘Ranger’ roared up the rail before barging his way through at the opening bend to take charge. Now three lengths clear down the back, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa clocked a slick 16.10 to the penultimate bend and looked home and hosed as he continued to set a blistering gallop to lead Bartlemy Mainoo in second. The latter was making swift inroads around the bottom two bends and certainly closed the gap, however, he checked up in the latter stages, which in turn allowed Faypoint Ranger to emerge a convincing winner over Bandit Paddy in second, with Bartlemy Mainoo taking third. The time was 28.81
UNBEATEN BOLT MAKES ALL
A treble of opening round winners for Graham Holland was sealed in heat six as Ballinveala Bolt lowered the colours of the fancied Lemon Joey.
Owned by Vincent Purtill, Ballinveala Bolt was bidding to continue his unbeaten career start and he meant business from the off as he flew from trap one, before steering a middle course on the run-up. In doing so, the son of Magical Bale - Outdoor Roller, a 6/4 chance, was in full control entering the back, however, the impressive Lemon Joey had made brisk progress to go a clear second and looked a potent threat as he moved to within a couple of lengths at the midway point. Posting a fastest of the session 16.00 to the third bend, ‘Bolt’ continued to go about his business in fine style and although Lemon Joey continued to press, he failed to reel in what was a mightily impressive winner. Crossing the line to win by one and a half lengths, the time was a rapid 28.46 with Certificate claiming the final qualifying position in third.
HEFFO CAUSES UPSET
There was an upset in heat two as 7/1 chance Blastoff Heffo prevailed for owner Philip Buckley.
A messy affair saw Steptothecommons lead early on from trap two, however, Sawdust Chaps challenged at the second bend to take charge. The calvary was starting to arrive come the business end of the event and it was Blastoff Heffo (Dorotas Wildcat - Blastoff Kat) that stormed to the front off the final bend before crossing the line one length clear of another fast finisher in the shape of Burgess Hazel in second. Sawdust Chaps was relegated back to third as the time returned 28.87.
FLASHY SAFFRON
The stock of Flashing Saffron continued to rise in heat three as the Pat Buckley-trained runner made it four straight victories.
A winner of an unraced stake at Enniscorthy earlier in the week, the 6/4 jolly pinged from trap five and cut straight to the rails to take control. Holding a one length lead over Snazzy Boss passing the sprint boxes, James Corden and Emma Buckley’s bitch dug deep at the midway point to extend her advantage and despite the persistent challenge of Snazzy Boss, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Global Glengar stuck to her task well to cross the line with two lengths in hand. An impressive performance from ‘Saffron’, the time was 28.42 with Tetra Destiny finishing a further two and a half lengths back in third.
BORN SHINES
Heat five saw a hugely impressive victory for the Jennifer O’Donnell-trained Born Braver as he made it back-to-back wins at Clonmel.
Owned by the Whens-He-Running-Syndicate, Born Braver looked a little special when landing a smart unraced stake at Thurles earlier this year and although he suffered a number of defeats thereafter, he returned to winning ways in blistering style last time out. Clearly comfortable in his surroundings at Clonmel, the son of Here Comes Syd - Westpoint Jorgi was sent to traps as the 6/5 favourite and he showed excellent courage to recover from traffic and follow Lady Farrah into the back straight. Quickly storming past his rival, Born Braver proved too hot to handle thereafter as he stayed on stoutly to cross the line three lengths clear of Lady Farrah in second. Blastoff Ricky claimed the final qualifying position as the clock returned in a swift 28.38.