BEEBEES PRINCESS SHINES IN SHAY ROONEY MEMORIAL AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the €4,000-to-the-winner Shay Rooney Memorial 525 took centre stage at Lifford Stadium on Saturday night, with track specialist Beebees Princess setting the standard ahead of what promises to be a red-hot final in seven days’ time.

A large crowd was in attendance for three high-class semi-finals, with little margin for error as only the first two home in each contest advanced. The third semi-final looked the standout on paper, with Zenith Wizard bidding to build on his rapid 28.78 opening-round success, but he faced stiff opposition where early dominance was always likely to prove decisive. Drawn immediately inside Beebees Princess, questions surrounded who would secure first run into the bend, but those doubts were emphatically answered as Beebees Princess produced her trademark ping break from trap two to post a rapid 2.58 sectional. Trained by Niall McGhee for owners Martin Lafferty and Oisin Orr, she quickly established a commanding advantage heading into the back straight. Innfield Trinity and Zenith Wizard gave notable chase in behind, but the daughter of Grangeview Ten – Beebees Star was never seriously threatened. Staying on powerfully up the Lifford hill, Beebees Princess sealed a brilliant sixteenth career victory, crossing the line one and three-parts of a length clear of Zenith Wizard in second. The 28.85 return was the fastest of the night.

MAX MAKES-ALL

Next best on the clock was Max Wago, trained by Barry Clancy, as he went one better than his photo-finish defeat in the opening round.

Owned by Danny Kehoe, Max Wago again sported the blue jacket and was much sharper from boxes on this occasion, recording a 2.64 sectional. The son of Droopys Sydney – Ballycowen Lucy quickly opened a three-length lead over Avenue Ana and the pair dominated thereafter. Maintaining a relentless gallop, Max Wago held off the late challenge of Brian Robinson’s bitch to score by one and three-parts of a length in 28.90.

MERLIN CASTS HIS SPELL

The opening semi-final saw the long journey of Alison Coxon rewarded as Hollywell Merlin struck late to secure qualification.

An eye-catcher when luckless in the opening round, Hollywell Merlin was once again housed in his favoured striped jacket but had no answer early to the fast-starting Rolo Genie in trap four, who set a scorching early pace. ‘Merlin’ began to close down the leader along the back straight, showcasing his trademark mid-race acceleration, but continued to steer a wide course around the bottom two bends. Despite conceding ground, the son of Ballymac Bolger – O Mahoney produced a powerful finish up the hill to claim a half-length victory over Eimears Lady in second. The time was 29.09.