DREAM PERFORMANCE PUTS TIERMANA ON COURSE FOR TREATY CUP GLORY

Peter Farrell

With the West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 attracting some of the country’s very best speedsters, it was no surprise to see two exceptional performances in last night’s semi-finals, with Tiermana Dream, in particular, producing a masterclass ahead of next week’s €5,000 decider.

Trained by Colm Fitzgerald for the Zero-Zero Syndicate, Tiermana Dream had produced a brilliant 18.55 effort last weekend and, despite taking on some of the best sprinters in training, most notably Stonepark Browne, he was installed as the even-money favourite to record a twelfth career success. Drawn in five, the writing was on the wall from an early stage as ‘Dream’ showed electric acceleration out wide to avoid early traffic and surge into a comfortable lead rounding the opening bend. In doing so, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty was effectively running a solo race as he quickly drew clear, opening up a six-and-a-half-length advantage over Stonepark Browne in second. The latter again missed the kick from trap three but remains a major threat heading into next weekend’s decider, while the remaining qualification spot went the way of Tally Ho Rose, a tremendous servant for the Walls-Of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate. The time was a blistering 18.31, further cementing Tiermana Dream’s status as the one to beat ahead of the final.

BATTLING BEN PREVAILS

Prior to the performance of Tiermana Dream, Portrush Ben (7/4) returned to winning ways in good style for Adrian McGarry and Pat Kiely.

Just a neck away from landing the 1XBet Island Bridge Sprint at Shelbourne in recent months, Portrush Ben donned his beloved red jacket and, although briefly headed by Moybella Bigboy in five, rallied along the rail to assert at the opening bend. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Dingys Diva tracked well to avoid some shuffling in behind before holding off the staying-on Tiermana Hunter on the run to the line. With just a length separating the pair at the finish, the final qualifying position went the way of Moybella Bigboy in third, in a time of 18.54.

The trap draw for the final of the West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - TIERMANA HUNTER

T2 - TALLY HO ROSE

T3 - STONEPARK BROWNE

T4 - PORTRUSH BEN

T5 - TIERMANA DREAM

T6 - MOYBELLA BIGBOY