CARLO THE STAR OF A SPECIAL NIGHT AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
It was a special night at Enniscorthy on Sunday despite poor weather conditions in the second half of the evening.
A big local support was present, including so many families, and all those that poured through the stiles thoroughly enjoyed themselves especially those involved in Haka Carlo, who ran out a brilliant last gasp winner of the Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake.
A CONTEST TO REMEMBER
This was a contest that promised so much and it really did live up to its billing with it going right to the wire as Javier Jarne’s Haka Carlo finally reeled in the long-time leader Burgess Supreme.
From the earliest point in the race, it was pretty obvious that the winner was going to come from the inside trio as those drawn on the outside found traffic into the turn.
Faypoint Jet and Haka Carlo broke fastest with the former looking likely to urn in front only for Burgess Supreme to force his way up the inside at the turn. On most nights this may have been a decisive maneouvre but Haka Carlo is exceptionally strong and, once turning a close third, the writing was on the wall for the leader.
After losing momentum on the bend, Faypoint Jet failed to contain Haka Carlo into the back straight. It meant that Haka Carlo got a clear run at the leader. Closing to sit on the heels of the leader at the third turn, it was inevitable that he would continue to close to the line.
HAKA TOO STRONG
Burgess Supreme wasn’t going to go own without a battle, however.
Digging deep, Burgess Supreme did well to contain his rival for much of the run home but Haka Carlo wasn’t going to be denied. The Dave Bourke trained son of Ballymac Anton and Ballymac Merkle will stay far further in the future and he gradually reeled in Burgess Supreme to lead late for a short head victory in 28.87. By the escape, he was some eight lengths clear, highlighting his strength.
Burgess Supreme ran his heart out in second spot to make this such an exciting contest, while Faypoint Jet was another three and a half lengths adrift in third. Glengar Martha, Bazz Manto and Vivaro Billyboy may have found early traffic and were never a threat but expect to hear plenty more from the trio in the future.
AURORA THE PLATE STAR
Glengar Aurora looked a very nice sort as she ran a fine race to capture the final of the Future Champion & Whitewood Kennels Plate.
The Pat Buckley trained youngster set the pace into the turn but was headed by Kiltrea Rob.
She was soon back on terms, however, showing great pace and determination own the back straight to edge on at the third turn. Once doing so, Richard Colwell’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton was never going to lead her advantage slip. Glengar Aurora stayed on well to emerge a five length winner in 28.98. Kiltrea Rob was second with Glengar Jasmine, a sister to the winner, just a length away in third.
LENNY SETS THE TONE
There were a number of fine displays on the card including that of Whitewood Lenny in the opener, the final of the Al Easter Stake,
Representing one of the sponsors on the night, Laura Earl, the son of Pestana and Whitewood Giri charged to the front on the third turn before going on to beat Picture Parade by three lengths in 29.07 (.20 slow).
SIZZLING SAUSAGE
Nodroopysausage won the final of the Dual Distance in similar style, taking over between the last two bends to drive clear of his rivals.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Pint Of Sausages, who is owned by Ger Cullen and Keith O’Brien, went on to see off Saltees Storm' by five and a half lengths in 31.90 (20 slow).
MASSIVE THUNDER DIGS DEEP
The remaining final up for decision was that of the Easter Sunday A2 Stake and the massive Granard Thunder dug really deep to hold the late charge of Hard To Figure. Trained by Joe Anglim for John White
And Tom Lambert, Granard Thunder hit the front on the opening turn and quickly built a three-length lead but he was soon under serious pressure as he turned or home.
Hard To Figure seemed certain to score but Granard Thunder used his massive stride to rally, holding his rival by a short head in 29.12 (.20 slow).
A NOTABLE DOUBLE
It was also notable that the Maori Syndicate and Tracey Fitzpatrick had a double on the card with Libbys Ivar making virtually all to win the second race by a length from Glideaway Spiral in 29.25 (.20 slow).
Libbys Dolly completed the double in the finale over 575yds, making every inch to beat Longslip Timmy by two and a half lengths in 31.95.