PABLO AND DIAMOND STAR IN SEMI FINALS OF THE CORKERY MEMORIAL

Barry Drake

The semi-finals of the €5,000 to the winner Danny Corkery Memorial A3/A4 Stake were the feature races at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

In the opening semi-final, Droopys Pablo went quickest on the clock when winning for trainer Johnny Linehan and owners the All Angels Syndicate. The 4-1 winner displayed lovely early speed, and he stormed clear around the opening corners. Clear at halfway, the outcome was never in any doubt as the impressive winner came home four and a half lengths clear of the running on Crafty Bisto, in 28.41. Four lengths back to Southwood Kitty in third place.

In the second semi-final, Daring Diamond delivered a fine front-running winning performance for James Maguire. The smart May puppy, a 3-1 shot, showed all of his usual big early speed to lead. Kicking clear down the back, the impressive winner kept on well to beat Killavullen Jet by two and a half lengths, in 28.82. Three lengths back to Millridge Nando in third place.

OTHER STANDOUT RUNS:

Trainer James Kelleher produced two superb winners. In the ninth, an AA0, Danzig Rebel, for the Castlegrounds Syndicate, notched up a 10th career success when displaying plenty of pace and power to win, in 28.38, at odds of 3-1. Earlier in the card, in the sixth, an A0, Queen Lulu came away racing to make all the running, in 28.52, winning for the KOS Partnership Syndicate, at odds 2-1.

In the closing race, Droopys Apollo, trained by Johnny Linehan for the Crossborder Syndicate, caught the eye when winning in 28.49, at odds of 2-1.

Elsewhere in the Pat Curtin Memorial, A1 550, Drive On Petsy scored for Chris O'Donovan. Once leading early, it looked game over and the 6-4 market leader ran out a smart winner, in 29.90, two and a half lengths clear of Father Jack.