LUNA IMPRESSES ON A QUALITY NIGHT AT THURLES

Peter Farrell

There were a number of excellent performances at Thurles Park last night as they hosted a ten-race card and one of the highlights was a second win from just three starts for Gaytime Luna as she sizzled in a 330-yard contest.

Owned by Brendan O’Connell, Gaytime Luna was turned over in her latest start at Thurles but prior to that, she was an impressive winner of a 325-yard contest in Tralee where she romped to victory. Going off the 6/4 favourite last night, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Dream wasn’t to suffer similar fate at the Tipperary circuit as despite not breaking fluently, she displayed immediate acceleration from trap one to dictate early on. Already in possession of a three length lead approaching the first turn, Gaytime Luna tracked expertly thereafter to see off Code Skye by two and a half lengths. The time was a rapid 17.91 .10s.

IN OTHER RACES

Race two saw an impressive performance from Bambis Hero as he bounced back from debut defeat for Brian and Gerard Brussels. Only a July 20’ whelp, Bambis Hero broke smartly from trap five and although steering a wide course early on, he swooped the opening corner to take a three length lead into the back straight. Maintaining a strong gallop thereafter, the son of Candlelight King and Lemon Steff saw off Bogger Biggav, who did make inroads late on, by two lengths at the line. The time was a fast 29.36 .30s.

Errill Daithi (Toolatetosell - Security) is never too far away at Thurles given his style of running and he once again stayed on stoutly to record an eighth career win for owner Tommy Morrissey. Heading to traps a 2/1 shot, Errill Daithi broke fast from three but was forced to play second fiddle to Foxrock Genius, who opened a lengthy advantage down the back. However, showing brilliant gears at this point, Errill Daithi quickly reeled in the leader and he bound clear in the closing stages to claim a four length victory. The time was 29.22 .30s.

Another who is never too far from the winner’s circle at Thurles is Paddy Scally and Cabra Beauty also sealed an off-the-pace victory in race seven. Led early on by Swift Fellowship, it was the latter who set a fine gallop but Cabra Beauty remained a threat throughout the contest. Staying on best of all in the closing stages, the daughter of Good News and Cabra Ebony pounced as the winning line loomed large and she accounted for a half length win over Swift Fellowship in second. The time was 29.48 .30s

Stephanie Ryan and John Byrne got on the scoresheet in race nine as Knockalton Conor took his career tally to double figures in terms of victories. A son of Silverhill Shay and Kitmins Deise, Knockalton Conor broke well from four and he took a narrow lead rounding the opener from Heavens Dexter in second. The latter briefly took charge at this point, however, that lead was short-lived as Knockalton Conor finished at speed rounding the bottom turn to run out a half length victory. The time for the 6/4 favourite was 29.40 .30s.

The final race of the night saw a good win for Newhall Susie as she dominated proceedings to run out a comfortable winner. Jointly owned by Michael and Thomas Kelly, Fast away from trap three, the daughter of Paradise Madison and Lillies Supreme posted a 1.63 sectional on route to a routine success which brought her career tally to four wins. A six length winner crossing the line, the time for the 2/1 shot was a smart 29.34 .30s.