BELMULLET BRANDY THE STAR OF THE SHOW IN KILCOHAN PARK

Barry Drake

BELMULLET BRANDY (Dorotas Wildcat-Yahoo Tina) ran out a convincing winner of the €1,100 to the winner final of the Geneva Kennels Unraced Stake at Waterford on Saturday night.

Trained by Peter Cronin for owners Patrick and Sean Lavelle, the April puppy saved his quickest start for the big night. A flying start from the trap four box allowed him to sail around the opening corners in front. Piling on the pressure heading down the back straight, he was soon five lengths clear of Daring Coco. The lead was extending throughout as the big powerful 90-pounder came home with eleven lengths to spare over Daring Coco, in 28.70. Coolbunnia Tess was half a length behind the runner up in third place. 

DEREK KEHOE DOUBLE

Owner/trainer Derek Kehoe was on double form. In race four, Slaneyside Fern got the better of Stickman in a very exciting finish. The winner broke best and she quickly opened up a lead of three lengths. Stickman was hitting top gear heading down the back straight and he was mounting a serious challenge between the final corners. In a titanic battle up the home straight, the Slaneyside runner just held on to beat the fast-finishing Stickman, by a short head, in 31.27. (A2 575).

In the closing race, an A0-A1, Slaneyside Major completed the Derek Kehoe double by making it three straight wins. Showing his customary early pace to lead early. The winner was in cruise control heading down the back straight, showing big pace to move three clear of Leinster Leo. Major kept on well up the home straight, the in-form winner completed the hat trick, two lengths clear at the line, Lenister Leo best of the rest, in 28.74.