LADIES SET STANDARD IN ENNISCORTHY’S APRIL UNRACED
Ian Fortune
Such has been the incredible performances of the ladies over the past four to five years, it should come as no surprise that the two biggest runs in the opening round of the April Open Unraced Stake came from the fairer sex at Enniscorthy on Monday night.
Both Dairyhill Stella and Forest Margaret couldn’t have been any more impressive as they dipped well under the 29 second barrier, giving warning that they could have a big future.
STELLA SETS THE PACE
Dairyhill Stella went fastest, dominating from before the turn in the opening heat to justify odds-on favouritism.
She rode a few bumps in the early yards as Hillbilly Dixie cut inwards from trap four but Dairyhill Stella displayed fine pace and determination to shake her lose before the corner.
Once moving to the front, it was all very straight forward for the daughter of Ballymac Best and Dairyhill Josie as she emerged a twelve length scorer in 28.82. Hillbilly Dixie was second.
MARGARET IMPRESSES
Forest Margaret was just behind her on the clock, coming home clear in 28.87.
Owned by Robbie O’Neill and Ned Murphy, the well bred daughter of Goo News and Roanna Bess was 2-5 to come out on top and that price looked rather generous as she eased right away to make all for a nine and a half length success over Tyford Diamond.
SAM COMPLETES A DOUBLE FOR O’NEILL
Robbie O’Neill later completed a double with a litter brother to Forest Margaret in the form of Roanna Sam.
Jointly owned Adrian Maher, the October ’21 whelp was never far off the pace before leading late to contain the eye-catching Dagingerbreadman by a length in 29.28.
KID IMPRESSES AS CRONIN RECORDS A BRACE
Peter Cronin had a double with Dubai Kid and Yahoo Sydney scoring.
Dubai Kid was particularly eye-catching in Heat 7 as he came from last approaching halfway to lead around the final turn. Cutting through the pack, the son of Out Of Range and Swift Acoustic ran on strongly to win by six lengths from Rathbally Sparta in 29.27. He seems likely to go far faster in the near future.
SLICK SYDNEY DOMINATES
Yahoo Sydney (Droopys Sydney/ Geelo Champers) completed the Cronin double in Heat 10.
After qualifying in a fast time, he was expected to come home clear and he duly shot into a sizeable advantage by the second corner. He did tie up somewhat but held on to see off the advancing Global Sydney by a length in 29.30.
COULD BE A KEARNEY DOUBLE
John Kearney was another to record a fine double with litter sisters Couldbeasizzler and Couldbeastar. Couldbeasizzler was always prominent in Heat 8 before finishing well to score.
The well-bred daughter of Good News and College Jade struck the front early but was under pressure into the third turn where she kicked on. Staying on stoutly, she emerged a comfortable six length winner over Solona Storm in 29.46.
STARS SHINES
Couldbeastar also stayed on well to score in Heat 9.
Second or much of the way, she made her move between the last two bends before staying on well to see off Neamstown Elite by three parts of a length in 29.51.
LIGHTNING STRIKES
Incredibly, the third fastest heat winner was also female as Ardera Lightning displayed real power from halfway to come through to score in 29.09.
Lengths of the pace into the back straight after being forced wide on the bend, she stormed home, moving second into the third turn before taking over from Airdown Tee Jai on the run in. At the line the daughter of Droopys Sydney had three lengths in hand on the long-time leader.
RITA GETS LOOSE
Horetown Rita, a member of the very fast Droopys Jet/ Palermo litter, came out on top in Heat 2.
The Garry Dempsey trained youngster quickened to the front early before easing on to see off Metric Mia by nine lengths in 29.46.
LODGE WINS WELL
Cora Doyle and Neil Fraser were on the mark in Heat 6 as Hatfield Lodge reeled in Could Be Rocket to run out a good winner.
Hatfield Lodge (Laughil Blake/ Droopys Claire) saw off Miami Patrol by four and a half lengths in 29.46.
MESSY AFFAIR GOES TO DISNEY
The round ended with a very messy contest.
Ashwood Disney was left in front at the second turn and the Declan Byrne trained daughter of Lenson Bocko went on to score by five lengths in 30.79. Obviously, the winner and many of her rivals will all go far faster next time out.