ROMEO IN CONTROL OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

ROMEO CONTROL, trained by Graham Holland for owner David Firmager, was the standout performance in round two of the A1 Kasko Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

A recent finalist in the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced Stake, the October puppy broke his maiden status in terrific style with a wide margin 28.09 success here. Flying into the bend from the rails pitch and with trouble in behind, it was race over. Displaying massive early gears, the improving youngster came home alone, delivering the performance of the night at the Cork track. Burgess Canon was ten lengths back in second place.

Into his fourth year, Churchtown Syd recorded back-to-back wins when winning for trainer Denis Fitzgerald and owner Mick Crotty. The 6-4 second favourite put on another stunning front running winning performance, clocking 28.28 and keeping on well to beat Brogan Kite, by two and a half lengths.

In the opening heat, Da Tapper Flynn, trained by Pat Kiely for the Golden Spoon Syndicate, pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to land the spoils. The 3-1 chance was within a few lengths at halfway, but the strong running tracker put on a big finish to deny Carrigoon West, by the shortest of margins, in 28.41.

In the second heat, Sporting Mocra scored for trainer Kieran Lynch and the Onepintomany Syndicate. The September puppy, a 5-1 outsider, came away racing to win the all-important early leader and he kept finding upfront. A brave 28.59 winning effort, three-quarters of a length clear of Ballybawn Belle.

Droopys Carbine completed a Pat Kiely double with a lovely winning run in the closing race, an AA0. Making the most of the long run to the opening corner to just slip around in front and once doing so, the race was always in safekeeping. A super talented tracker, the 6-4 second favourite clocked 29.84 in beating High Trend, by two and a half lengths, in 29.84.

Elsewhere, Kieran Lynch also recorded a double on the night, Jackos Dog returned to winning ways for owners the Jacks Dog Syndicate. The August puppy flew into the opening corner and the 6-4 winner was soon clear. Always in control, the August puppy clocked 17.46, three and a half lengths clear of Joes Wink.