SUPREME PERFORMANCE FROM BURGESS IN PRODUCE STAKES DECIDER

Peter Farrell

The final of the 2023 Thatch Bar & Restaurant National Produce Stakes took centre stage at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday night and it produced a huge upset as Burgess Supreme emerged a trap-to-line winner of the €20,000 classic.

Heading into the decider, Clonbrien Treaty was understandably installed as the 13/8 favourite after his terrific 28.09 clock in last week’s semi finals. However, it was the 20/1 outsider, Burgess Supreme who lived up to his name with a masterclass of front-running to land the prestigious Classic for JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane.

ALL-IMPORTANT BREAK

Hoping to seal an historic Juvenile double after landing the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick in late April, it seemed that Clonbrien Treaty was finally getting to grips with his Tipperary surroundings after his blistering performance one week prior. However, much would depend on the break with early pace in abundance lurking on the inside of the Graham Holland-trained runner. With the hare approaching, the favourite fluffed his lines from trap six and in contrast, Burgess Supreme, who had the quickest early sectional heading into the feature, came away racing on the outer and with Clonbrien Treaty nowhere to be found, he had plenty of room to showcase his blistering early gears. Hukum was next to follow, however, his progress was halted slightly after shipping a bump at the opener from the improving Clona Shadow on the rail.

STRETCHES CLEAR

Entering the back straight and Burgess Supreme quickly developed a six length advantage over his rivals as Hukum, once again, clashed with Clona Shadow, in turn allowing Ower Mystery to emerge into second and attempt to bridge the gap on Burgess Supreme out in front. Meanwhile, Clonbrien Treaty had improved from last into fourth, however, at this stage a podium finish was all that could be hoped for. Both Mendelson and especially Clona Shadow were the victims of a troublesome passage and their race was over upon entering the back.

SUPREME FROM BURGESS

Setting a ferocious gallop out in front, Burgess Supreme stopped the third bend sectional clock in a swift 15.99 and although Ower Mystery had narrowly the gap to four lengths rounding the bottom two bends, it was always going to take something special, barring incident, to prevent the son of Burgess Bucks and Burgess Dancer sealing glory. Swinging wide off the final turn, Ower Mystery continued to close but Burgess Supreme had enough in hand to cross the line two lengths clear of the luckless Hukum, who in fact came home with a wet sail to chin Ower Mystery for second place. The time was a 28.52 .10s and many congratulations are extended to JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane on this classic triumph.

SUPPORTING CARD

The Run Happy @ Stud Open 300 was the first of the opens on that card and this went the way of Cryptopunk, who came in as a reserve in trap four.

Known for his blistering speed over the four bend trip, it was unusual to see Cryptopunk in a 300-yard sprint but he made light work of his rivals in truth. Breaking best of all from trap four, the son of Dorotas Woo Hoo and Bogger Bonnie, owned by Simon Taylor and trained by Graham Holland, didn’t look out of place as he outpaced his rivals to the opening corner. Drawing clear thereafter, he was never going to get caught as he powered to a facile three length win over Warrenstown Boy in second. The time for the 100/30 chance was a scorching 15.96 .5s.

The Track Bookmakers Open 525 was next on the agenda in race four and it was Kilaheen Lady who led from the outset.

Owned by the Pat Said-Syndicate and trained by Bernadette Connolly, Kilaheen Lady emerged from the pack after being narrowly headed by Robs Hero at traprise. Showing fine dash to the opener, the June daughter of Laughil Blake and Killaheen Queen was never under pressure as she maintained a three length lead over Robs Hero throughout. A massive 12/1 market chance, Kilaheen Lady was four lengths better off crossing the line, in a fast time of 28.50 .10s.

The final of the Explosive Boy @ Stud A1/A2 525 looked an open affair on paper and this proved accurate as both semi final winners served up a thrilling encounter.

A tightly knit pack all bunched into the opening bend and with traffic inevitable, it was Flashy Farloe in four who emerged in front for James Heffernan. Setting a strong gallop down the back, it appeared to be all over as a contest as the 11/2 shot stormed into the penultimate turn with a clear advantage. However, Unreal Bruiser was making rapid headway in the closing yards and this was to make for a thrilling finish. Flashy Farloe still in charge on the run for home, the son of Skywalker Farloe and Cabra Diva just held off the power-packed finish of Unreal Bruiser, who made up incredible ground to get into contention. Just a head separating the duo, the time was 28.90 .10s.

The final of the Kieran Purcell Snr Memorial A3 550 took place in race eight and another shock was in store as Miss Spoofer made every inch to score.

At traprise, it was the 6/1 shot Miss Spoofer who came away best of all from trap two and despite drifting to the middle on the run-up, she narrowly headed Corbrack Dan rounding the opening turn. Pulling clear of her rival down the back, the daughter of Spoofer and Lemon Abigail, owned by Damien Ryan and Andrea Mulcahy, set a fine gallop and despite Golden Palace showing good improvement, he still had plenty on his plate in order to prevail. The Philip Gough-trained tracker wasn’t to be denied however, and Miss Spoofer stayed on stoutly to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare over Corbrack Dan in second. The time was 30.11 .10s.

The Clonmel Track Members Open 550 attracted the reigning English Derby winner Romeo Magico and he produced a special performance for David Firmager and Graham Holland.

A 4/11 market chance, it’s fair to say that Romeo Magico jumped off the page and he enjoyed a virtual solo after a smart exit from trap four. Showing all the early speed, the son of Magical Bale and Fabulous Artist manufactured an eight length lead down the back as he displayed that massive engine he possesses. Powering to victory, Romeo Magico was five lengths clear of Blue Gatsby, who ran a credible race, in second. The time was a rapid 29.72 .10s.

The concluding race of the night was the final of the Modified Ltd A1/A2 550 and Subtle Jack made it back-to-back wins for David Adaway.

A winner of his semi final in 29.95, Subtle Jack needed to get away to a sharp exit to get across to the rails and this is exactly what he did as he pinged from five to dispute with Springwood Olivia early on. Turning two lengths clear, Subtle Jack was joined by Riverside Lisa down the back and she looked the most likely winner midway down the back straight. However, Adaway’s charge produced a very determined performance as the son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile pulled out all the stops to hold the power-packed finish of Springwood Olivia in second. A short-head called, the time for Subtle Jack, a 2/1 shot, was 30.09 .10s.