FOUR STRAIGHT WINS FOR WESTWIND FLAME IN THE KINGDOM FEATURE
Barry Drake
WESTWIND FLAME (Laughil Blake-Westwind Jet) made it four straight wins in Thursday night's second semi-final of the Ballymac Anton @ Stud Tri Distance Stakes.
Michael O'Rourke's October puppy was sent off the 4-5 market leader and the impressive winner delivered another smashing performance to land the spoils. Showing nice early pace to win the early lead, he was then chased by Mentality and Strideaway Luna. As they approached the second last time corner, Westwind Flame started to pull away, running on well, he went on to win, in quickest of the heats, a flying 29.81 for the 550-yard event.
Dream Step was a huge eye-catcher in second, she powered home to grab the runner up spot, just three lengths back. A further length back to Mentality in third place.
OPENING SEMI FINAL
The opening semi final went the way of Mr Quiz Answer (Skywalker Farloe-Ripley Diana) for trainer Thomas O'Connnor and owners the Toi-Toi-Toi-Syndicate.
Pennylane Dusty shot clear heading down the back straight, but the 4-1 winner turned second and from halfway, she was much the strongest. Hot favourite Outdoor Rainbow was short of pace at the opening corner but she did catch the eye late on, showing bundles of pace to get within half a length of the winner, in 30.16. Early leader Pennylane Dusty was three quarters of a length behind the runner up in third.
SMART PERFORMANCES ELSEWHERE
Also on the card was the Fine Gael Unraced Novice 2 Stakes and it delivered some wonderful winning performances.
Quickest on the clock was Ballyard Syd (6-4) (Droopys Sydney-Coolavanny Fiona) for Michael Daly. The September puppy was in front early and he showed massive pace to make a winning debut in 28.56.
BROKE WELL
In the third and final heat, Steady Rambler (6-4) (Skywalker Tuco-Swift Maidora) scored Patrick Fennell.
The October puppy broke well, but he had to settle for second best early doors. Making his move before the second last corner, he quickly took over and pulled away to win in style. A lovely winning debut, clocking 28.63.
SMART WINNER
In the opening heat, Crossfield Wilma (6-4) (All About Ya-Enable) ran out a smart winner for Brendan O'Shea.
Just making the corner in front, the December puppy held all challengers heading down the back straight and she then pulled away in the latter stages to win easily, in 28.68.
BEST RUN OF THE NIGHT
The best run of the night over the standard trip came in the closing race as Bulletfromagun clocked 28.37 in the A1 contest for trainer Brendan Maunsell and owners the Inas-Boys-Syndicate.
Flying into the opening corner and easily slipping around in front, the 5-2 winner was always in cruise control. Such a classy winning performance, the improving winner came home four and a half lengths clear of his nearest rival.