FUTURE CHAMPIONS PROVIDE INCREDIBLE ACTION AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
The Future Champion & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake came alive on Monday night with both heats providing incredible action.
Both Haka Carlo and Glengar Martha were hugely impressive as they came home in front while the elimination of Opti Chico was a real shock.
MAGICAL MARTHA GOES FAST
In terms of the clock, Glengar Martha stole the headlines as she ran out a brilliant winner of the second semi-final.
Going up fast from trap two, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton held a narrow lead into the turn but was allowed to increase her advantage on the turn with the inside line working in her favour.
Faypoint Jet and Getgoin Yvette also went up fast to sit second and third into the turn with the last named moving second as they hit the back straight. Glengar Martha had now slipped into a clear and decisive advantage, however.
Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, the Pat Buckley trained bitch was simply wonderful as she came home two and a half lengths clear of Getgoin Yvette in a sizzling 28.47, the fastest time of the competition thus far. Faypoint Man was just two lengths further back in third.
CARLO STORMS TO SUCCESS
Optic Chico was the hot favourite for the opening heat but a moderate start and a first bend bump effectively ended his chances.
He did look likely to qualify when briefly moving third around the last two bends but it wasn’t meant to be.
Instead, the verdict went to the Dave Bourke trained Haka Carlo. Owned by Javier Jarne, the son of Ballymac Anton and Ballymac Merkle is immensely strong and that was evident on this occasion as he stormed home to lead on the run in.
Burgess Supreme got the better of Vivaro Billyboy on the turn to move to the front. Importantly, Haka Carlo made his best start yet to turn third which left those in front vulnerable to his incredible finishing kick.
Predictably, Haka Carlo started to make inroads into the third turn, moving second ahead of Vivaro Billyboy, before storming home. Collaring Burgess Supreme on the run in, the September ’21 whelp went on to score by two lengths in 28.69. Burgess Supreme was second with Vivaro Billyboy containing Optic Chico by a short head to take third a further two lengths adrift.
AURORA LIGHTS UP PLATE
As predicted, Glengar Aurora was too good for her rivals in the opening heat of the Future Champions & Whitewood Kennels Plate.
Leading early for Pat and Pauline Buckley, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton broke fast, recording a slick 3.11 sectional to make every inch for a length and a half verdict over Silverman in 28.91. Minnies News was another four lengths back in third.
ROB COMES HOME IN FRONT
John Doyle’s Kiltrea Rob denied Pat Buckley a Plate double when coming home in front of Glengar Jasmine, a litter sister to Glengar Aurora, in the second heat.
The well bred son of Pestana and Kiltrea Dawn was ideally housed on the fence and he took full advantage.
Making a slick exit, he led his rivals into the turn and proceeded to make every inch. Glengar Jasmine rode a bump on the turn to slip around in second but could never get back on terms. Kiltrea Rob went on to score by two lengths in 29.04. Ballymurry Rafa was a neck away in third.