STUNNING DISPLAY FROM CARRIGEEN WHIT AS THE LADIES TAKE CENTRE STAGE
Barry Drake
CARRIGEEN WHIT (Ballymac Best-Carrigeen Whit), trained by Thomas Buggy for owner Ann Paterson, set the standard in the opening round of the €7,500 to the winner Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake.
It was a red-hot contest on paper; however, the 5-1 shot turned it into a one-dog event with a stunning front-running winning performance, overcoming what looked like a tricky draw from trap five.
Flying around the opening corners in front, the impressive winner was soon in top gear. Favourite Droopys Croia was trying hard to get on terms on the back straight, but Carrigeen Whit wasn't stopping, showing plenty of speed up front. Staying on well up front, it was a 28.15 winning display. Lennies Dream ran on well for second, three lengths back in second. A length back to Droopys Croia in third place.
A recent second in the final of the Irish Oaks, Clan Sapphire (Droopys Sydney-Susie Sapphire) was another to impress, bouncing out in front from trap two to make all the running.
The 1-2 favourite was quickly in control, but Cosmic Dancer was soon showing plenty of pace in second. No stranger to big performances around course and distance, Clan Sapphire ran out a brilliant winner, clocking 28.25 for trainer Francis Murray and owner Howard Wallace.
Two and a half lengths back to Cosmic Dancer, with three and a half lengths back to Noon Ballad in third.
The opening heat went the way of Rural Ana (5) (Pestana-Rural Aloha), for trainer Graham Holland and owners the Scots Clan Syndicate.
The even-money favourite powered down the back straight to take over from Cosmic View. The even-money favourite kicked for home, displaying a nice turn of pace; she just held the fast-finishing Desert Flower, by a length, in 28.41. A head back to Cosmic View in third.
Fantasy Adam (6) (Jacktavern Gem-Newinn Madam) went quickest in the semi-finals of the Bunty Cahill Memorial A2/A3 stake.
Trained by Adam Dunford for Leslie Coveney, the even-money took up the running early on, always in control up front, the September puppy came home two and a half lengths clear of Carefree Captain, in 28.47. Ivo was five and a half lengths back in third.
The opening semi-final went the way of Daring Diamond (Pestana-Daring Foxy) for James Maguire. All about early speed, the 5-4 favourite came away well from trap two, and he made all the running to win in great style.
Such a consistent sort, it was a 28.68 winning performance, five and a half lengths clear of Thurlesbeg Duke. A neck back to Knockagrump Bell in third place.
In the second, Canvas Shesaid (Doolin Duke-Nellies Belle) exploded from trap three to lead all the way in the second, an S2-S3, for Jerry Kelleher. It was all one-way traffic up front, clocking 17.67, three and a half lengths clear of Desert Storm.
Trained by Kieran Lynch for owners the Quinn-Maher-Ivers-Syndicate, Parkview Cash (2) (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Trudi) delivered a fine 28.41 winning display to win race eight, an AA0, at odds of 4-1. Danzig Rebel stayed on well for second, a neck back.
Trained by Graham Holland for owner Michael Moore, Tag Warrior (Born Warrior-Touchdown Ursula) came from behind to win the opener, making it two wins from just three career outings.
The 6-4 favourite pulled out all the stops in the second half of the race, clocking 28.66, four lengths clear of Let Fly Missy, who led early on.
In the closing race, an A2 550, In The Sunset (Jacob Tashadelek-Droopys Lagoon) caught the eye when winning for Sean Stilwell.
Pacing up well early on, the 2-1 winner was displaying plenty of speed on the back straight. Finishing well, it was a 30.02 winning run, two and a half lengths back to A Rest.