MAGICAL ON FIRE AND CLAN SAPPHIRE IMPRESS IN CORK OAKS
Barry Drake
Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah) went quickest on the clock when winning the opening semi-final of the SS0 Personnel Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
In the care of Pat Guilfoyle, the 6-4 shot wasn't the quickest away, but she drove a fantastic opening corner to turn second as Droopys Croia was in pole position. The Laurels Champion displayed all of her usual speed, and she stayed on powerfully to land the spoils in 28.34. Burgess Hazel flew home for second, three lengths back at the line. Droopys Croia and The Other Eimear dead-heated for third place, with the latter winning the toss and progressing into the feature final next week.
STUNNING EARLY
Clan Sapphire (Droopys Sydney-Sussie Sapphire) bounced out in front to display stunning early speed and make all the running for trainer Francis Murray and owner Howard Wallace.
The 5-2 winner was always in control up front, and she stayed on well to deny favourite Bombay Special, by two and a half lengths, 28.36. Eight and a half lengths to Ballymac Siun in third place.
Draw for next weeks final
1 CLAN SAPPHIRE
2 BALLYMAC SIUN
3 BURGESS HAZEL
4 MAGICAL ON FIRE
5 THE OTHER EIMEAR
6 BOMBAY SPECIAL
******
PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT
The performance of the night came in the closing race when Ballycowen Frank (Ballymac Cashout-Peckies Flyer) returned to top form for trainer Michael O'Donovan and owner Debbie Doyle.
The well-backed 6-4 favourite led early, and once slipping around in front, it was game over. The talented performer pulled right away to beat Fahee Phatom by eight lengths, in 28.20.
HARPUR DOUBLE
Cobh trainer Dean Harpur enjoyed a great night with a fine double on the night.
Ballycowen Daisy (Ballymac Cashout-Peckies Flyer) took the opening semi-final of the CPSC A1 Stake, in 28.71, at odds of 4-1, while in the following race, Sleedagh Charm (Ballymac Best-Ballycowen Lola), scored for Harpur and owner Kevin O'Gorman. The 4-1 shot stopped the clock, in 28.80.
Elsewhere in the final of the €1,200 to the winner Greyhound Racing Ireland A3 Dual Distance Final, Ballintubberstar (Doolin Duke-Beaming Becca) recovered after a slow start to land the spoils for trainer Denis Fitzgerald and owners Norman Hook and Kelly McCarthy. The 7-2 shot enjoyed a dream run around the opening corners, and he showed lovely back straight speed to lead. Keeping on well, he beat Beanos Rodge, by four lengths, in 31.72.
In other races, Faypoint Harvey (Droopys Sydney-Roaming Shari) bounced back to top form when winning for trainer Graham Holland and owner Patricia Flanagan. The even money favourite took up the running early and he went on to score in 28.65. Trionas Tribe ran a big race in second, just one length back at the line. The classy winner has now won a total of 18 times for winning connections.