SALLY & SHEBA IMPRESS IN CHAMPION BITCH SEMIS AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

After a sensational performance from Singalong Sally in the opening round of the Sean Byrne Painting & Decorating Champion Bitch Stake last weekend, all eyes were back on the Pat Buckley-trained charge at Thurles Park last night and she didn’t disappoint as she continued her assault of this prestigious event.

Posting a scarcely believable 28.35 .30s last weekend, Singalong Sally was rewarded for that performance with a plumb draw in trap one in last night’s semi finals and like last week, the Gilbert Anderson-owned superstar was flawless as she ran out a convincing winner. Meanwhile, although Pennylane Sheba had to settle for third last time out behind the aforementioned Singalong Sally, the classy tracker was a real eye-catcher in defeat and she also dominated the first semi final to advance into what promises to be an exceptional decider in six days’ time.

SALLY SIZZLES

Running in the second semi final of the night, it would have been a massive upset if Singalong Sally didn’t follow up that memorable performance seven days prior with another victory and she certainly didn't disappoint as the 1/4 shot produced another polished display. Donning her favored red jacket, the brilliant daughter of Tullymurry Act took her trademark flier from the inside as she posted a sizzling 1.65 sectional to lead Farranrory Megan and suddenly, we had a repeat of last week’s buckle. Tracking beautifully around the opening two bends, Singalong Sally proceeded to set an electric gallop out in front and she had three lengths to spare over the chasing hard, Farranrory Megan, at the midway mark. In behind at this point was Global Prima and she had plenty in hand over the trailing three bitches as she looked to secure her qualification into next week’s feature event. Maintaining her relentless gallop in front however, Singalong Sally was well on her way to back-to-back victories and she stayed on very strongly to claim a terrific fifteenth career victory from twenty-seven starts as she crossed the winning line four lengths better off than Farranrory Megan in second. Global Prima a further four lengths back in third, the time was a sparkling 28.72 .30s.

SHEBA DOMINATES

The opening semi final was a red-hot affair with arguments being made for all six bitches but it was Pennylane Sheba who built on her third-place finish last week with a super effort for the Pennylane-Syndicate.

Pennylane Sheba has some sensational clocks to her name throughout her career and although she finished some six lengths adrift of Singalong Sally in last week’s opening round, she lost little in defeat as she finished at speed to book her spot in last night’s semi finals. In a contest that included three of the four opening round heat winners, Pennylane Sheba was to produce a top-class performance to win with relative ease for connections. Running from trap three, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Pennylane Lace broke smartly from white but was headed early on by Kilara Odessa in trap one. However, taking control upon entrance to the back straight, Pennylane Sheba, a 9/4 shot, proceeded to outpace her rival as she cranked it up a notch from halfway to hold a solid advantage over Kilara Odessa entering the bottom two bends. Meanwhile, Railteen Dara was back in third with both Skywalker Angie and Crafty Jayko struggling to get on terms after early traffic. Up front however, Pennylane Sheba maintained her relentless gallop all the way to the winning line as she stayed on powerfully to cross the line four lengths clear of Kilara Odessa in second, with Railteen Dara a further seven lengths adrift back in third. The time was a brisk 28.81 .30s.

The trap draw for the final of the Sean Byrne Painting & Decorating Champion Bitch Stake for 2022 was made shortly after and it is as follows :

T1 - SINGALONG SALLY

T2 - PENNYLANE SHEBA

T3 - KILARA ODESSA

T4 - GLOBAL PRIMA

T5 - RAILTEEN DARA

T6 - FARRANRORY MEGAN