TOP-CLASS ACTION AT CLONMEL AS KIHEI CONTINUES TO BLOSSOM

Peter Farrell

After winning the Rural Kennels Unraced 525 last week, Rural Kihei continued her winning form last night at Clonmel as she made light work of her rivals in stepping up the additional twenty-five yards.

Owned by the Scots-Clan Syndicate and trained by Graham Holland, Rural Kihei thrilled a large crowd at Clonmel last week as she landed the prestigious Rural Kennels Open Unraced 525 and she was right back at it last night as she made it back-to-back wins over the extended 550-yard trip. A surprising 5/2 shot at the off, Rural Kihei broke a lot better than usual and she really appreciated the longer run to the turn as she displayed good early pace to turn second behind Wizard. Four lengths adrift entering the back straight, the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Rural Maui quickly halved that advantage and she ranged alongside Wizard entering the penultimate turn. Slotting up the inside at this point, Rural Kihei was home and hosed and she stayed on strongly, as expected, to run out a four length winner of Wizard in second. The time was 30.01 .10s.

NOTHING SUBTLE ABOUT JACK

The two semi finals of the February A2 525 also came down for decision on the card and it was Subtle Jack who went quickest for owner David Adaway.

The May 21’ whelp was seeking a first career win but his qualifying efforts were already enough to suggest this would happen sooner rather than later. Going off the 2/1 joint favourite, Subtle Jack took no prisoners early on as he broke brilliantly from trap two to lead. Setting a strong gallop down the back, the sectional time was a swift 16.24 and he never took his foot off the gas in the closing stages to secure the win. A very likeable performance from this son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile, the time was 28.75 .10s.

CLASS FROM CHICK

The following race continued the trend of impressive winners as Classic Chick land the Sporting Press Online Edition A2/A3 575 in incredible fashion.

Owned by Trevor Power and trained by Jimmy Power, Classic Chick was incredibly searching for a first win since May of last year but she couldn’t have been more impressive in doing so as she made-all to record a stunning victory. Running from trap two, the 6/4 favourite pinged the lids from inside and she was followed around by Riverside Lisa in second. It proved a two-dog affair thereafter, however, Classic Chick held off the advances of Riverside Lisa to stay on strongly and land the spoils. The time was a rapid 31.43 .10s.

ORLANDO BLOOMS

The Divilly’s are no strangers to producing superstars and the latest may well be Crafty Orlando who landed the Open 300 in swashbuckling style.

Owned by Shane Divilly, Crafty Orlando was having just his second start but after qualifying in with an incredible 16.18 around Clonmel, the May 21’ whelp clearly has an engine and this was on full show last night. Running from trap five, the 3/1 shot broke smartly but was narrowly headed by Wilderness Magic in six. However, showing the better of the early gears was Crafty Orlando and the son of Skywalker Canny took control around the bottom two bends. Staying on strongly up the straight, Divilly’s prospect was one and a half lengths better off crossing the line, in a brilliant time of 16.13.