WILLOW WINS SALVER HEAT IN STYLE

Ian Fortune

Flashing Willow made a winning start to his Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver campaign at Central Park on Sunday afternoon.

Amongst Ireland’s very best sprinters, the Pat Buckley trained charge picked up the eye-catching Quartiera to win by a head in a slick 16.28.

It means that the brilliant son of Laughil Blake and Cabbage is now two from two in his raids across the water after breaking the Towcester sprint record last year in his only previous run in the UK.

As reward or his efforts, he has been handed a favourable trap four draw in the Sunday’s semi-finals. Should he trap on terms, he could well progress to the final on the back of another fine success.  

Incidentally, Gougane Jet, the best sprinter in the UK, set the standard with a 16.10 return.