IT could be said that last weekend was the calm before the storm racing wise with next month likely to be one of the most interesting of the season at the Market’s Field.

Nevertheless there were a number of sweep finals last Saturday.

It was a good start to the weekend for Ballylanders owner, James O’Dea even if his local football club did not retain their county championship crown the following day.

In an A3 final, which had €1,200 for the winner, his Jims Honcho (Top Honcho-Kathryns Ruby) hit the front by the third bend and then went clear for a comprehensive win in 29.06 from the strong finishing Shanie Pat (1), owned by Oliver O’Brien in Bruree with Wisha Was Black (6), third, but still awaiting her first win with seven races now behind her.

It was a very successful night for Croom owner, Michael Purtill who had a double in two A1 races.

By far the fastest of his winners was Tarbrook Misty (Elite State-Narof Ranger).

Drawn in trap three in race two she was out like a flash. Having led round the first bend she was never headed when making all for a two lengths win in a joint fastest of the night, 28.60, when beating Leamaneigh Flash (4), owned by Paddy Hennessy from Kilteely, while Parside Jack (6) showed good early pace for Richard Savage of Adare but had to be content with third place.

The double could not have been achieved in more contrasting manner when Tarbrook Joey (Larkhill Jo-Narof Ranger) came through late to win by a length in 28.81. Elevator Jack (1) looked like he might make all for John Horgan of Munster and trainer Pat Conway but finished second when two lengths in front of the reserve in trap two, Claires Yaris, owned by Mrs Carmel O’Sullivan of Elton, Knocklong.

There was a very good run, also, in the open race over 525 in which Goldmine Gold (Goldmine Ramble-Springview Cindy) had a flyer from trap one.

Trained by Pat Guilfoyle for Francis Tobin from Rathkeale he was always out front and won by four lengths in 28.60 for a fourth win from twelve starts.

Athea trainer, Jerry Griffin, has his charges in good form at present and one of them, Cooraclare Rose (1) took the A2 by a couple of lengths in 29.05.

The night began with an A3 in which Gypsy Flyer had a first win since August 9 for city owner Frank Timmons. Drawn in three and not making the best of starts, Gypsy Flyer (Hondo Black-Mags Joy) came through late to score by half a length in 29.38.

The S1 over 300 yards saw Tucked Away (Tucks Mein-Precious Dear) hit the front early and he made all for a third win in five starts for Shane Hourigan from Rathkeale when having a one length win in an impressive 16.14 from the always in contention, Peeping Toss (4) owned by John Boyce from Kilmallock.

The top performance on Thursday came from Mrs Jennifer Murphy’s, Limerick City, owned, Origami (Droopys Vieri-Band Of Merlin).

From trap three he led at the first bend from Bungy (6) and this was the order all the way with Origami winning by five lengths in 28.88 in an A3 which was a very smart run.

Another who was in front all the way was Caseys Warrior (Kiowa Sweet Trey-Countrywide Star).

Without a win since January of last year and with only three races this year he had a four lengths win-his third in 28 starts-in 29.28 in the A4 for Billy Murphy of O’Brien’s Bridge.

Mungret owner, Michael O’Grady, took another A4 when his Bustins Call (Concorde Direct-Lemonfield Cross) led from the second bend when making his 70th race a winning one when making the rest of a two lengths win in 29.45.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment