LOTTO SETS STANDARD IN KILKENNY’S McCALMONT CUP

    LOTTO SETS STANDARD IN KILKENNY’S McCALMONT CUP

    Ian Fortune

    The Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup has a rich history.

    First run in 1947, some of the great names in the sport have won the competition including Spanish Battleship, with his second win in the event coming seventy years ago in 1955.

    Now run as an A1 competition open to back graders, it remains an important part of the Kilkenny calendar and Friday’s second round went to highlight just how competitive this year’s renewal is.

    NEWS MOVES FAST

    Fastest of the quarter final winners was Lotto Other News in Heat 2.

    The Shaun Conway trained son of Good News and Shes Made It was sent off the 5-4 favourite and a fast start put him in the perfect position to score.

    Owned by the Lotto Express Syndicate, the blue fawn got first run on his rivals before going on to make every inch. He would hit the line three lengths clear of Quarry Boy in 28.97. Southwood Stan would finish four and a half lengths further adrift in third.

    BRO FOLLOWS UP

    Fastest opening round scorer Droopys Bro was again too good for his rivals in the last of the four heats.

    Trained by Murt Leahy, who is seeking a fourth win in the McCalmont Cup, the son of Malachi and Droopys Cake broke smartly but couldn’t contain Lemon Mundy into the bend.

    The latter would move in as they entered the back straight but Droopys Bro was always in his slipstream. Around the last two bends, the complexion of the race changed with Droopys Bro closing on the pace-setter.

    As they turned for home, Droopys Bro moved to the front up the inside of the track. Staying on strongly, the Sweeney Todd Syndicate owned Droopys Bro eased on to win by two lengths from Lemon Mundy in 29.00. Burgess Canon was best of the remainder, a further length and a half adrift.  

    WARRIOR WITH SPIRIT

    Much as he had done seven days earlier, Kapuka Warrior overcame some early traffic to win the opening heat for Karol Ramsbottom and Matt Dunne.

    Forced to check slightly after a couple of strides, he soon made his move up the fence to hit the bend in third.

    Abigails King led into the turn but, much as he had done at trap rise, he stepped off the fence to leave a gap for Kapuka Warrior. In a matter of strides, Kapuka Warrior was through the gap and on his way to victory.

    Easing clear, the son of Good News and Cruel Intentions went on to beat Abigails King and Kilgraney Run by four lengths and a length in 29.31.

    SUPER TED CUTS THROUGH PACK

    James Frisby sent out Lemon Ted to win Heat 2.

    The son of Burgess Bucks and Lemon Skylar had to work hard for victory after finding traffic on the turn before entering the back straight in fifth. Great credit must go to Lemon Ted as he really did show pace and tenacity to get involved.

    Charging into the third turn, he improved his position but still had a bit of work to do to catch the long-time leader Ballymac Deboss. Going third between the last two bends, Lemon Ted charged up the run in to get the better of Ballymac Deboss by a length in 29.56. Unanimous Jax was just a head further back in third.