YONKERS GOES BONKERS IN McCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

Six talented trackers progressed from the semi finals of the Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup at Kilkenny on Friday night, setting the stage for a terrific decider next weekend.

As so often happens at Kilkenny, an early advantage was to prove decisive in both semis with Bonkersinyonkers taking the headline with a thoroughly professional front-running effort in the opening heat.

Trained by Murt Leahy for the McClean Avenue Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and An Cailin Alainn was sent to traps the 2-1 joint favourite alongside his kennelmate Sawdust Storm but he took control straight away.

Shooting from trap three, Bonkersinyonkers cut straight for the rail to lead the field into the bend. Droopys Kamari went up second but was headed on the bend by Sawdust Storm who took up the chase. Bonkersinyonkers was never going to be stopped, however.

Staying on to the line, he held off Sawdust Storm by a length in 29.04. Rural Kihei ran on strongly to grab third, a further length and a half adrift.

CHEQUE SHOWS HIS CLASS

Cheque For Sir added to his already wonderful record in the second heat, justifying favouritism in the process.

There was no doubting the strength of his rails draw and he made full use of it, breaking smartly to dictate from start to finish.    

Containing the challenge of Bogger Dusty into the turn, Cheque For Sir hit the back straight with two lengths in hand on his rival. It was all very straightforward thereafter. Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for the Cash Back Syndicate, Cheque For Sir maintained a strong gallop all the way to the finish with the son of Droopy Sydney and Yahoo Ava emerging a comfortable three length scorer over Bogger Dusty in 29.24, while Rathfalla Hero was just a neck back in third. 

Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup

Final draw

1 RATHFALLA HERO

2 BONKERSINYONKERS

3 CHEQUE FOR SIR

4 SAWDUST STORM

5 BOGGER DUSTY (M)

6 RURAL KIHEI (M)