STAGE SETS A STRONG STANDARD IN DUBLIN CUP
Ian Fortune
Highview Stage was the undoubted star of the opening round of the A2/A3 Dublin Cup at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, dominating throughout in his heat to come home a mile clear in a rapid 28.51.
The powerfully built son of Ballymac Anton and Highview Daisy came into the contest boasting an unbeaten record of two from two and few could have expected the manner in which he made it three.
Showing superior speed to his rivals, Anthony Rooney and Owen Sweetman’s February ’21 whelp assumed control into the turn and proceeded to pull further and further clear for a most impressive eight and a half length success over Costa Candy.
CATHAL TOO STRONG
To highlight the quality of the run, next fastest was Priceless Cathal as he stopped the clock in 28.82 in the second of the six heats.
Trained by Paul Hennessy or Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, the son of Belles Direction and Priceless Dancer came storming through in the second half of the contest to deny Galliagh Bull. Staying on well, Priceless Cathal emerged a length and a half scorer.
STRATOSPHERE SHOOTS CLEAR
Early speed was very much the key to success in the opening heat with Stratosphere showing superb dash to clear the bend.
Daring Bowie challenged early but had no answer to Stratosphere, who quickly built a decisive advantage once skipping around in front.
Trained by Eamon Reynolds for Chris Sower, the son of Ballymac Best and Boyneside Peggy coasted home an impressive and deserving three and a half length winner over Daring Bowie in 28.83.
BEST ARRIVES LATE
Noreen O’Donovan’s Noirs Best was strongest in Heat 3.
The Ian Reilly trained son of Ballymac Best and Hoof It Katie was only fourth into the back straight behind the fast starting All Profit but, once moving second at halfway, always had the leader in his sights.
Staying on well, the June ’21 whelp led in the closing yards to hold the fast-finishing Forest Leann by a length in 29.17. All Profit was just a neck adrift in third.
HE JUST MADE IT
The aptly named Hes Made It just held on in Heat 4 or Richard Nugent and Richard Guiton.
The son of Good News and Shes Made It led from the opening yards, shooting up the fence to enter the back straight with two and a half lengths in hand.
By halfway it was nearly three and a half lengths but his oxygen reserves began to dry up as they turned or home. With both Walk On Gaffer and Man Flu closing, Hes Made It had to dig deep to hold on by a short head in 29.25.
BRIDGES GIVES RIVALS THE SLIP
Barry and Mathews Caul were on the mark in the final heat with their in-form youngster Black Bridges.
Not for the first time in her career, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Killeen Princess displayed superior early dash to her rivals to move into a clear advantage by halfway.
Monalee Ruth did show plenty of dash down the back straight to move second but her chase was futile. Black Bridges had no intention of letting her lead slip and she cruised to a length and a half success in 29.24.