ROMEO CONTROL AND CHURCHTOWN SYD STAR IN THE SEMI FINALS OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY

Barry Drake

Romeo Control, trained by Graham Holland for David Firmager, went quickest on the clock in the semi-finals of the €6,000 to the winner A1 Kasko Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
Following up on last week's impressive winning display, the 4-6 favourite delivered another stunning front-running winning effort. Moving clear down the back straight, the October youngster posted a flying 28.20, four lengths clear of the running-on Dellser Bells.
In the second heat, Churchtown Syd made it four straight wins with another superb 28.25 winning run. Trained by Denis Fitzgerald for owner Michael Crotty, the 4-7 favourite just had enough early pace to slip around in front. Strong throughout, the impressive winner got the better of Brogan Kite, by a length and a half.
Father Jack delivered another outstanding winning run in the second semi-final of the Pat O'Driscoll Memorial A4/A5 Stake when winning for Donal Wall. The even-money favourite, an August youngster, pulled right away to win in style. A 28.44 winning performance, seven and a half lengths clear of Suella.
In the opening semi final, Kilshanigbigboss scored for David Finn. Showing lovely early speed, it was another fantastic front-running winning performance. Back-to-back wins, in 28.77, a length and a half clear of Strike It Dolly who was back in second.
Elsewhere on the card, Brogan Hillbilly just came out on top in a superb closing race. Owned and trained by John and Marguerite O'Donoughe, the 4-1 shot delivered a powerful performance, coming from off the pace to win, in 28.32, a short head clear of ButterbridgeJohn.
In the third, Ardrath Louis, trained by John Kiely for Richenda Kelly, ran away with the S3 sprint. The 11-10 favourite looks like a bright prospect as the August youngster won easily, in 17.57.