ALL STYLE IN THE SEMI FINALS OF THE SHELLEY FENNELLY MEMORIAL IN CORK
Barry Drake
Following up on last week's impressive display, Up The Style (Pestana-Unlock Unlock) recorded another sensational performance in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the 4-5 favourite clocked 27.94, the quickest run in Cork this year, in the semi-finals of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake.
Trained by Robert Gleeson for owners Alan and Pat Dobbs, the star lady showed her usual big early speed to slip around the opening turns in front. Both Ballymac Run and Scooby Duchess turned on the premises, but Up The Style was powering along up front. It was clear she was on for something special and Up The Style maintained the huge gallop at the head of affairs. Another stunning effort, making it back-to-back wins in Curraheen Park and proving two lengths too strong for Ballymac Run who was back in second. Three and a half lengths back to Scooby Duchess in third place.
EARLY PACE THE WINNER
It was all about Bredas Wood (Laughil Blake-Leamaneigh Breda) in the opening semi-final.
The even-money favourite displayed huge early pace to build up a big lead heading down into the third corner. Trained by Matthew Harte for Pat Carey, it was a superb front-running display, clocking 28.23 and beating the eye-catching Goldcash Ice, who ran on strongly, to get within a length at the winning line. Two and a half lengths back to Strike It Alice in third.
IN OTHER RACES
Halo came away racing in the closing race, the Burgess Bucks @ Stud A0, and the Matthew Harte trained runner was strong throughout. In the ownership of Basil and Bernadette Holian, the 5-4 favourite had caught the eye in defeat last time and there were no mistakes this time around. A fantastic performance, clocking 28.18 and crossing the line two and a half lengths clear of Newinn Port.
In the third of the night, an A0, Droopys High Bar made it back-to-back wins in the week. Trained by Johnny Linehan for owners The Boys Are Back In Town Syndicate, the 7-4 shot drove a great opening two corners to slip around in front. Coosey Hall delivered a late challenge, but the winner held on gamely to win, by half a length, in 28.58.
Race eight, an AA0, looked like a red hot event on paper and it was won in great style for Millridge Levi, for Donal O'Mahony. Quickest into stride, the 6-4 joint favourite made every yard of the running to land the spoils, in 28.25. Last early on, Montana Fantasy ran very well to finish second, four lengths behind the impressive winner.
In the fourth, Fawn Crualaoi (Pic below left) came home in front in the Brogan Kennels & CPSC 330. Ger Crowley's September puppy is an improving sort and the 5-2 winner made it three straight wins, in 17.80. (330).
In the second, the Happy Birthday Dominic Magnone 330, it was Butterbridge Roy (Pic below right) who impressed for trainer Kieran Lynch and owner Mark O'Shea. A 17.97 winning run, in 17.97, at odds of even money.
