WILLOW FLASHES TO SALVER SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Flashing Willow was at his stunning best at Central Park on Sunday afternoon as he captured a famous success for Pat Buckley and owner Kenny Glen in the ARC Silver Salver, showing his rivals a clean pair of heels with a near perfect display of sprinting.

Sent off the joint favourite alongside the UK’s best two-bend tracker Gougane Jet, this was a one-dog contest from the very first stride. Breaking fast from five, Flashing Willow was soon in complete command. Gougane Jet did come out of the pack to give chase but there was no stopping Flashing Willow.

The brilliant son of Laughil Blake and Cabbage raced to a remarkably comfortable two length victory in 16.00, a time that was just one hundredth of a second off the track record. It means that Flashing Willow remains unbeaten in the UK with a record of four wins from four starts on English soil.

Emma Buckley confirmed soon after the success that the plan for Flashing Willow was now the Treaty Cup at Limerick before another crack at the Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk.