CARA SETS THE STANDARD IN UNANIMOUSPANTHER SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Unanimouspanther ON2/ON3 525 Bitch Stake featured on Friday nights card at Clonmel and Dangan Cara set the tone with a comfortable victory for connections.

Trained by Adam Dunford for Michael and Carmel Croke, Dangan Cara won her debut assignment when drawing clear to post a smart 29.00 and she built on that performance brilliantly last night when justifying her even money pricetag. Quicker into stride on this occasion, Dangan Cara was outpaced in the early strides by First Light in trap two, however, she turned handy behind her rival upon entrance to the back straight. Motoring alongside First Light midway down the back, the writing was on the wall rounding the penultimate turn as the daughter of Confident Rankin and Ardera Love was no in full throttle. Staying on strongly thereafter, ‘Cara’ powered clear of her rivals in the closing stages to win by an extending six and a half lengths from Freeway Faye in second. The time was 28.94.

In the second semi final, Florican Heights (Dorotas Wildcat - Cruel Intentions) also made it back-to-back wins as the March puppy finished at speed for owner Matthew Murphy. Sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite just behind Teddie at 5/4, ‘Florican’ broke moderately from two and just avoided first bend traffic to nip around behind the runaway leader, Gerber. The latter looked a sure winner at this stage, however, the pack closed rapidly in the final yards and it was Florican Heights that wore down the leader to cross the line a head clear of the real eye-catcher in the contest, which was Teddie. The time was 29.24.

ORCHID LEGACY IMPRESSES ON UNDERCARD

Elsewhere on the card, the performance of the night came in the Kilsheelan Gallop A2/A3 525 as Orchid Legacy produced an outstanding effort to bounce back to his best.

A former AAO performer, Orchid Legacy has been very consistent of late without winning, however, the Patrick Barrett-trained runner made every yard on this occasion to seal a fifth career victory. Owned by Michael Clark, Orchid Legacy was sent to traps as the 5/4 favourite and he showed first from trap six to lead. Setting a strong gallop down the back, the son of Droopys Sydney and Cicero kept on well in the closing yards despite being pressed by Radical Scoby in second and he crossed the line with a half length in hand over his rival. The time was a rapid 28.52.