A NIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR THE O'REILLY FAMILY IN CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
It was a night to remember for the O'Reilly family in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as Montana Fantasy landed the €8,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby final.
In the ownership of Barry and Martin O'Reilly, the Johnny Linehan-trained runner, a 5-1 shot in the betting market, delivered a powerful performance to land the spoils. A very popular winner, the strong running winner tracked beautifully around the opening corners and once it went second on the back straight, the writing was on the wall.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Cuckoo had caught the eye in previous rounds with huge finishing speed and she did the same again in the feature, putting on an outstanding finish to make it a big local success.
Ballymac Shark was in prime position heading down back straight, but Montana Fantasy took over late on and pulled away for a famous victory, proving two lengths too strong for Yankee Doodle, who kept on well for second. The second of the Linehan runners, Footfield Siren, ran a fine race for third, three quarters of a length behind the runner up.
The O'Reilly family in flying form after the superb success of Montana Fantasy in the final of the Spring Derby.
OPENING ROUND HEAD OF THE DEADLY KENNELS OPEN 750
In the opening round heat of the Deadly Kennels Open 750, Rushmoor Mel stuck to her task well to record back to back wins over the distance.
Trained by Liam O'Callaghan for the Rushmoor-Racing-Syndicate, the winner dug deep in the closing stages to beat hot favourite Magical Mary, who had missed the kick early and didn't enjoy the clearest of runs. One length the margin, in 42.15, with a head back to Ballybough Champ in third place.
STEP UP IN TRIP
In the following race, Ballymac Katie (5-2) made the most of the step up in trip to score for Liam Dowling.
On top in the closing stages, the September youngster kept on strongly to beat All About Annie, by a length, in 42.08, with three and a half lengths back to Tinnock Sydlee in third place.
MUCH IMPROVED
In the third heat, Masterly Moment scored for Henning Olesen.
A much improved sort, the 5-1 shot delivered a career best performance as he kept finding in the second half of the race. The June puppy was in front close home, clocking 42.45 and beating Chestnut King, by three quarters of a length, with a head back to Laughil King in third.
QUICKEST ON THE CLOCK
In the fourth and final heat, Kinturk Road went quickest on the clock when breaking his maiden status for trainer Liam Dowling and owner Frank Thornton.
Out of luck in recent times, once the September puppy turned handy, a big run was on the cards. Tracking Sesame Street around the opening couple of corners, he was well on top late on. A superb 41.84 winning display, a length and a half clear of the fast finishing Lads Bluebell in second place. Six lengths back to the early leader in third.
IN OTHER RACES
Liam Dowling enjoyed a great treble on the night, Ballymac Sameul took the opener, an A0, in 28.40. The 5-4 favourite got the better of Rural Bocko, by half a length.
In the following race, the SSO Sprint, Warrenstown Boy showed all sorts of speed when winning for owner Osmond Bennett and trainer Paraic Campion. Three straight wins for the in-form winner, in 17.60, at odds of 7-4.
MARY LEHANE MEMORIAL
In the final of the €1,000 to the winner Mary Lehane Memorial, it was Firespin who came out on top for Dan Harrington.
It got tight for racing room at the opening corner, but the 3-1 winner was the one to take control. An improving sort, it was a smart 29.11 winning run, two lengths clear of the running on Kilbonane Pet.
STRONG RUNNING LADY
In the A1 575, Dellser Bells got off the front early and there was no stopping the strong running lady.
Paul Keniry's June puppy has often caught the eye and there was no mistakes this time around. Showing bundles of pace at the head of affairs, the 5-2 shot beat Coosey Hall, by two and a half lengths, in 31.24.
DEAD HEAT
The closing race on the card, an AA0, was a dead heat between the front running Burgess Cutey, for Sheila Spilland and JJ Fennelly and Midfield Deano, who is trained by Rachel Wheeler for John Newman. The Burgess runner was clear heading down the back straight, but Midfield Deano came fast and late to force the dead heat on the line. 28.51 on the clock.