BRILLIANCE GUARANTEED AS WILLWEGO.COM IRISH ST. LEGER ACTION CONTINUES AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
After an electric start to the 2024 Willwego.com Irish St. Leger last Saturday night at Limerick, the action continues later tonight with eight stacked second round heats on offer.
The standard was set in round one by Pat Buckley’s National Produce Stakes winner Unanimouspanther as he romped to a scorching 29.34 clock and connections will be more than pleased with his second round draw, which has saw him pencilled to run from trap four in a relatively straightforward heat. The son of Droopys Sydney has now won seven times from just twelve starts and he was flawless seven days ago, suggesting he is more than capable of adding the St. Leger to his already decorated trophy cabinet. Ciaran O’Sullivan’s charge is now starting to consistently trap and this is ominous for his rivals given his strong running abilities from halfway. As a result, it is impossible to oppose him in heat six and he will be sent off as one of the shortest priced runners of the second round. Of his rivals, Airfield Katie was a brilliant winner of the opening heat last weekend and she will be fancied to give another good account of herself from six for Fergus Walsh and Michael O’Meara, while one of my eye-catchers from last week, Ballycowen Conor, can also make the frame after forcing Knockeen Dazzler to pull out all the stops last time out.
TASTY HEAT FIVE
The second round draw has largely seen the top guns separated, however, heat five is the exception with Ballyhimikin Rex, Coolavanny Otto, Miami King and Superfast Gorden all locking horns.
Indeed, opinions are sure to be split in this contest and it’s a tough one to call in terms of what will be chalked up as favourite . Based on the draw however, Ballyhimikin Rex is my selection. Jointly owned by Billy and John Dunne, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet is one the very best in training on his day and this was there for all to witness last weekend when posting a rapid 29.53. On that occasion, he made Barefoot On Fire look quite ordinary down the back and that alone is an indication as to the form that the experienced tracker carries into this Classic. Drawn perfectly in trap one, expect another blistering performance from ‘Rex’ and in truth, that’s exactly what will be required in order to hand defeat to some brilliant rivals. Superfast Gorden was also exceptional last time out. Trained by Pat Buckley, ‘Gorden’ was tapped for a bit of early speed, however, excelled impressively down the back straight to draw clear of Hogan Stand and record 29.44. Sectionals suggest that he will be disputing early on and this being the case, he will be very difficult to peg back. That said, he does have some exceptional trackers on his inside so he can ill-afford any slip-ups from trap five. Miami King may have posted an underwhelming 29.91 last weekend but clock aside, the manner of victory was most impressive. Garry Dempsey’s charge reeled in last year’s winner Clonbrien Treaty and that must carry some weight heading into this contest. The son of Ballymac Vic has the clocks as evident from his trials and a fast start from four can see him enter calculations. Indeed, Coolavanny Otto can count himself rather fortunate to be lining out after finishing fifth last weekend, however, he remains one of the best in training and will no doubt improve from last week's performance. Drawn in two, he did move off from his inside berth last time out but that can be forgiven after arriving fresh from Dundalk and expect a sharper workout from ‘Otto’ this time around.
TREATY TO BOUNCE BACK IN STYLE
As mentioned, Clonbrien Treaty was reeled in by Miami King last time out, however, expect the multiple Classic winner to bounce back in the opening heat of the night.
It’s not uncommon for Clonbrien Treaty to arrive a little undercooked into these types of events and his trainer, Graham Holland, has shown his astuteness in terms bringing this particular tracker along expertly as a competition progresses. Indeed, this was evident in both the Kirby and the Easter Cup and it would be very foolish to rule him out based on his opening round performance. Drawn in trap six, the son of Pestana will be a very warm order to bounce back to winning ways and expect a trap-to-line statement performance from the reigning champ. Of his rivals, it is only Hogan Stand that looks capable of handing what would be a shock defeat to Clonbrien Treaty. The James O’Regan-trained tracker was hugely impressive in outpacing Superfast Gorden to the bend last weekend and he has a plumb pitch in red to comfortably advance to the third round. Of the remainder, Roanna Bonnie caught the with a strong finish in behind Knockeen Dazzler last time out and will improve from her first look at Limerick, while Ocean Tesla is another that will be arriving home at a rate of knots.
KNOCKEEN TO DAZZLE
Knockeen Dazzler returned to the scene of his greatest triumph last weekend as he produced a fine display and he will be fancied to maintain his unbeaten run in the Classic.
Owned by Daniel O’Rahilly, the Kirby champ was forced to pull out all the stops against the eye-catching Ballycowen Conor, however, he did so in brilliant style and he was very strong over the tough 550-yard trip. There is no doubt that the son of Laughil Blake will progress as the weeks go by, just as he did in the Kirby, and he should have too much in heat two. In Good Time is the obvious threat for Brendan Maunsell in five. The Tralee record breaker failed to justify his 1/2 starting price last time out, however, he missed the break by his high standards and remains a huge threat coming away on terms.
HEAT WATCH
Heat 3 – One of the standout performers from the opening round was the reserve, Oscar The Grouch, and he grabbed his opportunity with both paws to win emphatically. The son of Burgess Bucks took no prisoners as he romped to a 29.41 success and based on that, he will take some stopping. Well housed in three, he faces some seasoned campaigners this time around, however, the youth can flourish on this occasion with ‘Oscar’ selected to come home clear of both Bockos Crystal and Sogne In Grande.
Heat 4 - Faypoint Sean could only manage third in behind Superfast Gorden in round one but he is unlikely to break as poorly as he did on that occasion and gets the nod to show exactly what he is capable of. Drawn in one, ‘Sean’ clocked a blistering 28.21 one-week prior in a trial and he is a class above his rivals if bringing his A-game. Of said rivals, Newport Pier ran a fine race in behind Unanimouspanther last time out and should make the frame, while Drombeg Rio posted a rapid 29.65 when running out a comfortable winner of In Good Time and must be respected.
Heat 7 - Owen McKenna has assembled an incredible kennel this year and his trump card, Carmac King, can justify his joint outright favouritism in heat seven. The Champion 550 winner posted a super 29.72 when landing his opening round assignment and that would have pleased connections greatly after a hat-trick of defeats prior to that. One of the best in the business when on-song, Timmy Carmody’s charge is drawn perfectly in five and it will be a shock should he not seal back-to-back wins. Faypoint Harvey is the main threat for Graham Holland and Patricia Flanagan after the Munster Juvenile Cup winner ran a satisfactory race last time out. It was a little surprising as to the ease that Jaytee Craze breezed past ‘Harvey’ at the penultimate turn on that occasion, however, he has the draw to dispute early on once again and it will make for interesting viewing should he outgun ‘King’ early doors.
Heat 8 - The aforementioned Jaytee Craze was hugely impressive in round one as the Paul Hennessy-trained star franked his explosive 27.89 trial form a few weeks prior. The son of Ballymac Cashout is better housed this time around in trap one and he is a likely leader with his kennel companion Barefoot On Fire looking the most likely to dispute in the early exchanges. Expected to have too much for his rivals from the midway point, ‘Craze’ can send favourite backers home happy with another polished display.