PRE CHRISTMAS DOUBLE FOR EMERS AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

Clonmel hosted a nine race card last night and the highlight was a double for the Dunne kennel as both Emers Archie and Emers Dixie came home in front.

The first of the kennel double came in race seven, an Open/A1 525 event, as Emers Dixie was an all-the-way winner at odds of 5/2. Owned by Emer Dunne, the August 20’ whelp was chasing back-to-back victories after landing her last race in tremendous fashion and she implemented similar tactics this time around, bursting from traps to run a virtual solo. Running from trap five, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Kereight Star pinged the lids to clock a rapid 2.72 sectional and lead early. Once doing so, there was no catching Emers Dixie as she set a terrific gallop down the back, before staying on stoutly to record a two and a half length victory over Wizard in second. The time was a fast 28.79.

The double was completed in the concluding race on the card as JJ Dunne’s, Emers Archie, produced a different style of performance as he arrived late in the day to secure a third career victory. Only a February 21’ whelp, Emers Archie broke moderately from the inside but he used his rails berth well to nip around two lengths adrift of early leader, Giddyup Biker, in four. Making his move down the back straight, Emers Archie took charge at the penultimate bend and despite coming under pressure late on from Mahogany News, the son of Confident Rankin and Emers Ivy held on for a half length victory. The time was 29.27 for the 6/4 favourite.

SODA QUICKEST ON THE NIGHT

The fastest performance on the night came in race eight as the Geoff Parnaby-owned Tarsna Soda produced a very assured display to make it three wins on the spin.

A very talented tracker, the son of Skywalker Rory and Dunclone Cannon was sent to traps as the 2/1 joint favourite and he was quickest into stride from trap four to dart to the rails and lead the field a merry dance into the opening corner. Quickly turning a one length lead into three down the back, Tarsna Soda excelled brilliantly into the bottom two corners and he was never under threat as he comfortably held Two Bucks by two and a half lengths at the line. The time was a slick 28.70.

LIKEABLE DEBUT FROM ALWAYS ALONG

Elsewhere on the card, there was a lot to like about the performance of Always Along in a Novice contest in race two.

Owned by James Martin, the May 21’ daughter of Droopys Sydney and Fortune Himary qualified in well and as such, she was installed as the 5/4 favourite to make a winning start to racing at Clonmel. Running from trap four, Always Along flashed from traps and she was already in charge by two lengths rounding the opening corner. Quickly drawing clear down the back, Martin’s charge had some ten lengths in hand come the penultimate turn and she never eased on the run for home, galloping to a comprehensive twelve and a half length victory over her rivals. The time was 29.08, a fine debut.