BRYNOFFA ARMINTA STARS IN DOUBLE FOR MACKEYS AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were a number of smart performances last night at Clonmel but Brynoffa Arminta without doubt stole the show with an incredible display in an Open/A1 contest.

Chosely bred from the superstar that is Ballymac Arminta, Brynoffa Arminta was always a little special having posted 28.70 around Waterford in her very first qualifying trial. Jointly owned by Eamon Mackey and Mark Thompson, the September 20’ whelp went on to win on debut around HQ but found life difficult thereafter, going six races without managing to get her head in front. A step up to six bends proved an astute bit of training from her connections and she duly scored in a decent 42.57 over the extended trip. As can happen so often having stepped up to the marathon trip, a revert back to four bends can be a catalyst for lift-off for many trackers and this appears to be the case with Brynoffa Arminta. Running in an Open/A1 525 last night, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger pinged out of trap two and immediately created daylight to race into a two-length lead from Slaneyside Ryan in second. Some trouble in behind strung the field out but it mattered not to Brynoffa Arminta as she drew clear down the back to post a rapid 16.07 to the penultimate turn. Now in possession of an unassailable advantage, Brynoffa Arminta maintained her relentless gallop all the way home as she crossed the line with a healthy eight length lead. The time was a sensational 28.38.

GEM KICK-STARTS DOUBLE

Aside from that performance, the Mackeys were celebrating earlier in the card also as Brynoffa Gem kick-started a fine double for the kennel.

This time owned by Emily Mackey, Brynoffa Gem was chasing an eighth career win and the pocket-sized 52-pounder showed excellent track craft to score impressively. Running from trap two, the daughter of Confident Rankin and Emma Honey walked from traps but showed brilliant early speed to challenge at the opener. Both Slaneyside Begly and Longview Mark headed the field at this point, however, as they battled for supremacy, Brynoffa Gem capitalized as she galloped around the outer. Without breaking stride, Brynoffa Gem charged to the front and she stormed up the home straight to score by four lengths from Slaneyside Begly in second. The time was 16.41.