NEWS EARNS THE HEADLINES IN McCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

The cream is certainly starting to rise to the top in the Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup with both of Friday’s semi-final winners Kapuka Warrior and Lotto Other News proven at the highest level in the past.

Indeed, both sems to be revelling in the slightly shallower A1 waters.

The headlines went to Lotto Other News as he posted a rapid 28.80 to run away with the second semi-final for Shaun Conway and the Lotto Express Syndicate. The son of Good News and Shes Made It had an ideal draw on the fence and made full use of it, showing fine early speed to better the fast-starting duo of Burgess Canon and Ballymac Deboss into the turn.

Once going to the front, Lotto Other News always looked very comfortable. Lemon Ted emerged from the pack to give chase and did close to the line but Lotto Other News was never going to be picked up and he coasted to a ready two length success in a fast 28.80. Lemon Ted had four and a half lengths in hand on Burgess Canon.

WARRIOR TOO GOOD

Kapuka Warrior won the opening heat in similar fashion, showing fine early dash to get up the inside of the fast-starting Southwood Stan into the turn.

He would slip around in front for Karol Ramsbottom and Matt Dunne, ultimately ensuring him a comfortable victory.

Quarry Boy would give chase on the fence with Droopys Bro moving third as Southwood Stan and Lemon Mundy clashed at the second turn. Quarry Boy would press the leader into the third turn but his effort would peter out when failing to get on terms.

Instead, Droopys Bro shot up the inside of Quarry Boy as they hit the final turn before going after the pace-setter but there was no change to the order thereafter. Kapuka Warrior was not gong to be stopped. The son of Good News and Cruel Intentions would go on to beat Droopys Bro by two lengths in 29.10 with Quarry Boy also progressing to the final, a further two and a half lengths back in third.

Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup

Final draw

1 BURGESS CANON

2 QUARRY BOY

3 DROOPYS BRO

4 LEMON TED

5 LOTTO OTHER NEWS

6 KAPUKA WARRIOR

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TEXAS JACK SHOOTS DOWN RIVALS

There was also notable run in the semi-finals of the Tom Browne Memorial A3 with Texas Jack recording a rapid 28.84 for Thomas Leahy in the second heat.

The son of Coolavanny Hoffa and An Cailin Alainn had shown promise in the Good Cody @ Stud Open Unraced at Enniscorthy before Christmas so it is no surprise to see him turning into a very nice type.

He would absolutely slaughter the opposition, going to the front early before driving further and further clear to eventually win by twelve and a half lengths from Double Crop in 28.84.

The other heat saw Woe Maudie make every inch for Kitty Morrissey. The daughter of Magical Bale would hold on by three parts of a lengths from Birchfield Pa in 29.39.