ROCK SETS PACE AT ENNISCORTHY
Ian Fortune
Stefans Rock set the standard in the second round of the Future Champions & Michael Fortune Memorial Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy on Thursday evening, displaying brilliant early speed to post a rapid 28.90.
On a night when so many of the heat winners did so in style, it was Stefans Rock that stood out as he overcame a tardy start to take charge into the corner. His two main market rivals Hello Tommy and Elite Crystal both came away well but Stefans Rock flew up the fence to assume control.
Once doing so, Shea Campbell’s son of Ballymac Vic and Avongate Nova proceeded to ease clear for a four and a half length victory over Hello Tommy in 28.90. Dolls Flash stayed on to take third.
SCOOBY SHOWS SUPERB EARLY DASH
Next fastest was Roanna Scooby in Heat 4 as he won in similar fashion.
Adrian Maher and Robbie O’Neill’s son of Pat C Sabbath faced a tough test with fastest opening round scorer Front Pasha to contend with.
Both greyhounds came away well and dominated from the start. Roanna Scooby displayed superb early speed to contain his rival into the bend. Front Pasha was never far away and did stay on well to force the judge into action but the verdict went to Roanna Scooby by a short head in 28.93. Ballymac Darcia was another for lengths adrift in third.
STORM COMPLETES A WONDERFUL ROANNA DOUBLE
Roanna Storm later completed a tremendous double for Adrian Maher and Robbie O’Neill as she came out on top in the final heat.
Although not the fastest into stride, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Elite displayed massive pace from the second bend to come through the pack. Storming home, the July ’20 whelp emerged a three parts of a length scorer over Lola Cracker in 29.08.
MONA TOO STRONG
The final heat of the round was won in an identical time with Meenamoynamona coming through to see off the longtime leader Outdoor Ice.
Meenamoynamona was never too far back and she made her move on the run in, getting up late to score by two lengths in 29.08. Killiskey Flyer was third.
MOLDOVA EMERGES ON TOP
Heat 2 was a messy affair with Paradise Moldova overcoming early crowding to lead into the back straight.
Owned by Dave Buckley and Sean Meade, the daughter of Magical Bale and Paradise Summer led into the back straight to run out a three length winner over Whitewood Pia in 29.13.
SLICK JIM GETS LOOSE
Impressive opening round winner Ballymac Run suffered defeat at the paws of Jim Be Slick (Skywalker Rafa/ Notimetotalk) in Heat 5.
There was plenty of early crowding and Jim Be Slick recovered best to lead the field into the back straight. Ballymac Run did stay on well for second but Liam Butler’s Jim Be Slick emerged a length to the good in 29.17.
FUTURE ON TUNE
Future Tune justified favouritism in Heat 6 for owners Tom Hennessy and Andrew Moloney.
The son of Droopys Sydney rode a couple of early bumps to lead the field for much of the way for a four length victory over Effernogue Oak in 29.54.
MELLING SCORES
Martin Sweeney was on the mark in the opening heat as his Melling Road came home clear in 29.11.
The son of Ballymac Best emerged a five length scorer over Dysert Queen.