SUPERB MONDAY ACTION AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

There was some superb action at Enniscorthy on Monday evening with Related Jet and exciting newcomer Unanimous Roxy taking the headlines.

Related Jet is normally a strong runner so when he led from the outset in the opening semi-final of the Allforthebest @ Stud Goodbye Stake it was clear she was going to do a good run. Representing Nicola Stokes and Graham O’Connor, the daughter of Cushie Jet and Related Info pulled further and further clear to emerge an eight-length winner in a sizzling 28.67. Donishall Sov was second with Mulrankin Range another two and a half lengths adrift in third.

SHOP TAKES HIS CHANCE

Eddie Doyle’s Shop Lane took the victory in an eventful second heat.

Off the pace in the early yards, he moved into third at the third turn and this left him in the perfect position to strike when the front two Tomahurra Spring and Greyfriars Minny clashed

The Thomas Codd trained Shop Lane was left in front and he dug in to repel the staying on duo of Stripe Molly and Bisto Duke by a length and a length in 29.65.

ROXY LOOKS DESTINED TO BE A STAR

There were some fine displays in the opening round of the Kiltrea Kennels Unraced Stake but the aforementioned Unanimous Roxy set a strong standard with a rapid 28.88 return.

It could have been even faster had she not been forced to check off the opening turn, losing ground on the early pace-setter Gripwell Peg.

Ciaran O’Sullivan’s Unanimous Roxy was second into the turn but emerged in third. She quickly recovered, running a fine second bend to move into second before charging down the back to bridge the gap on Gripwell Peg.

Rounding the leader at the third turn, the Pat Buckley trained Unanimous Roxy edged on before emerging a most impressive four length scorer. Ballinabola Bale was another seven lengths adrift in third.

The winner is a half-sister to last year’s Juvenile Derby runner-up and this year’s Oaks finalist Short Grip. It’s clear she has many of the same qualities as her half sister and is a very bright prospect for her connections.  

DIABOLIK LOOKS A PROSPECT

Diabolik also impressed.

The son of Ballymac Best and Drive On Robyn, who is trained by Dave Bourke for Javier Jarne, made a moderate start and rode a bump on the turn only to charge to the front off the second turn.

Once going to the front, it was all very straightforward from the promising Diabolik. He eased away to eventually cross the line four lengths clear of Proper Heiress in a good 29.00. Misterin Best was the third qualifier, some nine lengths further adrift.

NO EXCUSES FROM MIKEY

Michael Whelan sent out Mikeys Excuse to emerge a good winner of the opening heat.

While he wasn’t the fastest into stride, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Droopys Claire shot up the fence to lead around the opening turn before going on to contain Hopes Kitty by a half length in 29.28. Glanmire Cracker was best of the remainder, some three and a half lengths further back.

ANGEL FLIES FROM HALFWAY

Zenith Angel came through in the latter stages to win Heat 4 for owners Birol Nadir and Baron Menzel. The Fraser Black trained daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Merkle is bred to be strong so it was no surprise to see her turning off the pace before doing her best work from halfway.

Staying tight to the fence on the bend, she was able to improve her position but it was after halfway that she really started to make her move. Charging up the inside of the pace-setter Rockmount Moe at the third turn, she eased on to eventually win by six lengths from Misterin Bola in 29.46. Rockmount Moe was third, some two lengths further back.