BAILEY BACK TO HIS BEST IN TOP-CLASS ACTION AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the GRI Spring Stake A4 525 served as the highlight on last night’s Limerick card and both contests were separated by just one spot on the clock with Portinard News going quickest.
A winner last time out in a good 28.83, the Jack Foley-trained runner was installed as the 4/5 favourite heading into the second semi and he proved a cut above his rivals with a comfortable victory. Owned by Betty Collins, Portinard News was only moderately into stride from trap one as Bettyville Rover showed first from two. However, taking over at the second turn was Portinard News and the son of Good News and Blastoff Khalesi drew clear thereafter. Showing no signs of stopping late on, Portinard News was five and a half lengths too strong for Bettyville Rover as the clock returned as swift 28.79.
In the opening semi, Sor Demonica also made it back-to-back wins for Javier Jarne and Dave Bourke. In a tight contest, it was Rocket Blake who went to traps as the 6/4 favourite but it was in fact Foxrock Rory who flashed from trap six to lead early. Setting a fine gallop down the back, the bird looked to have flown until Sor Demonica started to creep into contention late on. Finishing with a flourish, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton crossed the line with two and a half lengths in hand over another fast-finishing rival in Jamiemac. The time was 28.80.
The trap draw for the final of the GRI Spring Stake A4 525 was made shortly after and is as follows :
T1 - PORTINARD NEWS
T2 - SOR DEMONICA
T3 - JAMIEMAC
T4 - BETTYVILLE ROVER
T5 - READY FOR DAISY
T6 - FOXROCK RORY
TULLY REMAINS UNBEATEN TO LAND NOVICE STAKE
There was a handsome €1,000 up for grabs in the final of the Limerick Stadium ON2/3 525 and it went the way of Singalong Tully who made it three wins from as many starts.
Under the stewardship of the formidable partnership of Gilbert Anderson and Pat Buckley, Singalong Tully has been very impressive in his short career thus far and he was certainly the one to beat heading into the decider. Only an October puppy, the son of Tullymurry Act and Beaming Rosie, an even money favourite, meant business from the off with a rapid exit from trap three to lead early. From here, it proved a straightforward night’s work for the progressive youngster as he made every post a winner to score convincingly. Staying on well to record a four and a half length win over Gortkelly Bono in second, the time was 28.80 and one suspects there will be more to come from this tracker in the months to follow.
BRILLIANT FROM BAILEY
The penultimate race of the night saw an Open 550 go down for decision and Annagh Bailey returned to his brilliant best for Rachel Wheeler.
Jointly owned by Dan and Peter Stackpoole, Annagh Bailey is an incredibly fast tracker with on-song and the 6/4 facourite was on his game at traprise with a slick exit from trap five. In truth, once in front, the result was never in doubt. Showing a lovely turn of early speed, the powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Bellmore Fantasy set a relentless gallop thereafter and he crossed the line with two lengths to spare over Glorious Best, who also ran a big race in defeat. The time for the 550 trip was an exceptional 29.52.
IN OTHER RACES
In race four, Portdrine Magic recorded a fifth career victory for Liam Carroll. Sent off at big odds of 5/1, the son of Clonbrien Hero and Clona Lass bounced back from a sixth place finish last time out as he trapped smartly to show sizzling early speed out wide to head the opening exchanges. Setting a fine gallop down the back, Portdrine Magic pulled out all the stops late on to deny the fast-finishing Ballygibba Ruby in second. The time was a fast 28.61.
There was an A1/A2 550-yard contest in race eight and this was won in expert fashion by the David Flanagan-trained Canya Dream. Owned by Imelda Sinclair, Canya Dream didn’t come away too well from two and was forced to settle for fourth place on the run-up. However, making swift inroads around the opening two turns, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Lear Avajo powered to the front at halfway mark and from here, the 2/1 chance crossed the line with a comfortable three lengths to spare over Gortkelly Nestor in second. The time was a rapid 29.84.