JUNIOR BACK TO HIS BEST IN CHAMPION STAKES SEMIS

Peter Farrell

Eighteen of Ireland's finest went to traps last night for the semi finals of the BoyleSports Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park and there was some terrific action on offer with Trinity Junior setting the standard.

Although penciled in earlier on the calendar than the norm, the 2023 BoyleSports Champion Stakes oozed quality from the minute the draw was announced earlier in the week. A former English Derby winner, two previous Irish Derby finalists, the current Juvenile Classic champion and multiple Kirby and Leger finalists were just some of the talent on offer across the three semi finals, all culminating in the most incredible action at HQ last night.

Of the three semi finals, it was the Peter Cronin-trained Trinity Junior who went quickest as he returned to his very best form to make every inch of the running. A 4/1 chance at the outset with Undisputed installed as the 2/1 market leader, the latter missed the kick from trap one and in contrast, Trinity Junior took one of his customary ping breaks to excel up the outer and lead Hawkfield Blue into the opening corner. Next best at this point was Annagh Bailey, however, Romeo Magico was to make full use of his inside berth to rail brilliantly and go third. The favourite, Undisputed, suffered a bump at the opener and which ultimately ended any chance of qualification. Holding a two length lead into the back, Trinity Junior continued to motor from Hawkfield Blue in second and in truth, his rivals never made a yard on Tim Slevin’s son of Laughil Blake and Oi Oi Upenalty. Tracking expertly around the bottom two bends, Trinity Junior maintained his early advantage to stay on stoutly and claim a one length victory over the gallant Hawkfield Blue in second. The time was a fast 29.53.

KOBE SCORES IN STYLE

The second semi final saw the Jennifer O’Donnell-traind The Other Kobe sent off as the 9/4 favourite and he made no mistake for the Derby winner trainer as he recorded a trap-to-line victory.

One of the fastest in training when hitting the lids, The Other Kobe was drawn in trap three and he took one of his ping starts to dart across to the rails and dictate the early running with Magical Kuba in six. The latter was showing awesome early speed at this point, however, his wide-running style allowed The Other Kobe to take a comfortable lead of over two lengths into the back straight. Meanwhile, Ryhope Beach, who was sent off as the second favourite, had completely fluffed his lines at the start and trailed the field. The Other Kobe, however, continued to set a scorching gallop down the back straight and railing tightly, the son of Ballymac Best and Mountaylor Queen held all the aces as Magical Kuba continued to course out wide, leaving himself with plenty of work as a result. The result never in doubt, The Other Kobe stayed on stoutly on the run for home and he was to emerge a two length winner over Boylesports Gift, who came home with a wet sail in the closing yards to chin Magical Kuba by a neck for the qualification spot in second. The time was a rapid 29.61.

IMPRESSIVE SCAGLIETTI CAUSES UPSET

The third semi final had everything, a brilliant performance from a Pat Guilfoyle-trained runner, and some big upsets with both Callaway Pro Am and Ballymac Marino biting the dust.

The outright favourite for the Champion Stakes was the reigning Juvenile Classic winner Ballymac Marino and he was sent off as the joint 2/1 favourite with Irish Derby finalist, Callaway Pro Am. At traprise, the latter took one of his better starts from red and he showed his customary early speed to lead comfortably around the opening turn. Ballymac Marino, at this point, had completely missed the kick and occupied fifth place approaching the opener, ultimately ending any chance of progression. Callaway Pro Am was to lead the field into the back straight but seemed to lose his action off the second turn, allowing Scaglietti to fly up the inside and lead Droopys Nice One into the penultimate turn. Little to separate the duo, Scaglietti is a strong running individual and with Droopys Nice One steering a wide course around the bottom bend, this enabled the son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller to storm to what proved a comprehensive victory for Cheryl Sutcliffe. A fantastic performance from the 6/1 outsider, Scaglietti crossed the line with two lengths in hand over Droopys Nice One, who straightened up well to get the better of Boylesports Vic by a short head. The time was 29.66.

WALT SETS THE PLATE PACE

The second semi final of the Plate was a very open betting affair with Music Glideway installed the 2/1 favourite, however, it was Ballymac Walt who got back to winning ways for Liam Dowling.

A 7/2 market chance, Ballymac Walt dictated the pace last time out at HQ and although collared at the penultimate turn, he wasn’t to make the same mistake twice as he produced a very accomplished performance from trap six. Much sharper into stride this time around, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Diva led into the opening corner and was followed by Churchtown Syd in trap three. At this point, Twoinarow had missed the kick which ultimately ended his chances, while Music Glideaway shipped a bump at the opener from trap five. Setting a scorching gallop out in front, Ballymac Walt continued to hold all the aces and he was never under any threat of being reeled in, despite the efforts of Ballyhimikin Leo, who recovered from a back straight bump, to finish at speed for Graham Holland. There was no doubt about the winner however; as Ballymac Walt crossed the line with two lengths to spare, in a time of 29.51. The final qualification spot went to Churchtown Syd in third.

BRILLIANT FROM BEEPERS

The 2023 BoyleSports Champion Plate 550 is also riddled with top-class individuals and Beepers Lariat continued his brilliant form as he made it back-to-back since his return from Towcester.

A winner in 30.06 on his return from his English Derby exploits, this was a much tougher assignment for Beepers Lariat but he saw off his rivals with relative ease. A 5/1 market chance, the Jack Kennelly-trained runner, owned by Leonard O’Hanlon, popped out expertly from trap three and he displayed immediate acceleration to lead Romeo Hanzo into the opener. From here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Beaming Smasher was in no mood to be caught as he set a terrific gallop to come home two lengths clear of Optic Chico, who was a real eye-catcher on his Shelbourne Park debut, in second. The time was a swift 29.66 as Romeo Hanzo sealed the final qualification position a further two lengths adrift in third.

HOLLAND HAT-TRICK ON SUPPORTING CARD

While Graham Holland was busy making history in Towcester after Gaytime Nemo’s sensational victory in the English Derby decider, his team were on hand at HQ last time to send out a three-timer.

The first of his representatives to get off the mark was Garfiney Blaze in heat three of the 2023 RPGTV Corn Cuchulainn (See main report on Talking Dogs)but that was quickly followed by Romeo Hotshot in the penultimate race of the night, the Talking Dogs AO 525. The 3/1 second favourite behind Quivers Magic, Romeo Hotshot broke well from trap two but was briefly headed early doors by his inside rival Kilcolgan Comet. This was short-lived however, as Romeo Hotshot, owned by Dave Firmager, quickly regained the ascendency to draw clear down the back. Showing big speed from two to three, the son of Magic Sprite and Buckos Lass was mighty impressive in seeing off Kilcolgan Comet, by four lengths, in 28.31.

The treble was completed in the final race of the night as Swords Fudge sprung a 12/1 upset for owner Barbara Lowndes. As expected, the reigning Irish champion Born Warrior made the early running from the striped jacket, displaying all of his incredible early gears to take control from Another Holiday in second, with Deadly Showtime also on the vicinity back in third. A good buckle was to ensue down the back between both Born Warrior and Another Holiday but it was the strong runners in behind which would ultimately benefit in the end. Showing big speed from halfway, Another Holiday went for a daring run in between both Born Warrior and Deadly Showtime at the penultimate turn, however, after being forced to check, it looked like Born Warrior had done enough to land the spoils. The Derby champ continued to dictate at this point, however, was something of a sitting duck as he drifted wide off the final turn, allowing Deadly Showtime the freedom of Dublin on the inner. Looking a certain winner as a result, Deadly Showtime galloped for home but meanwhile, Swords Fudge had built up ahead of steam in behind and was absolutely flying on the approach to the home straight. Storming in between runners, Swords Fudge powered to the front in the final few yards and he was to hand Deadly Showtime a half length defeat, with Another Holiday a further two lengths adrift in third. Born Warrior, meanwhile, visibly faded in the final fifty yards and could manage only fourth in the end. The time was 28.66.

IN OTHER RACES

In the opener, Droopys Onestop, got the ball rolling for an incredible night’s action as she blew her rivals away. Trained by John Linehan for Sean Dunphy, the 5/2 chance built on a rapid 17.44 trial at Cork in her latest outing with a make-all display from trap five. Showing blistering early speed, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Droopys Dorothy was never under as set a relentless gallop to cross the line five lengths clear of Unreal Bruiser in second. The time was a sensational 28.15.

In race two, Typical Bono made-all for Michael Malone and trainer David Murray. A 575-yard contest, Typical Bono appreciated the long run to the opening turn as he took charge at this point, with Dubai Kid a close enough if good enough second. The latter made a real fist of it down the back as he briefly headed Typical Bono, however, Typical Bono was nothing if not game out in front. Staying on stoutly up the home straight, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Glideaway Babe saw off his rival by one length, in a time of 32.57.