ADAM QUICKEST IN KASKO PRODUCE STAKES QUARTER FINALS

Peter Farrell

The quarter finals of the Kasko National Produce Stakes took place on Sunday night at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and as with the opening round, Graham Holland dominated proceedings as he sent no fewer than six runners through to the semi finals next weekend.

Indeed, while there were a few upsets on the night with the likes of Green Brigade, Scooby Pacemaker and Silverhill Ben all being eliminated from the Classic, the likes of Silverhill Adam really impressed as he handed defeat to kennel companion and outright favourite, Romeo Taylor. That said, it is still all to play for as we head into next week’s semi finals and it promises to produce a thrilling finish to the €20,000 to the winner event.

ADAM WEARS DOWN TAYLOR

The place to start is in the last of the quarter finals as Silverhill Adam (Ballymac Bolger – Silverhill Joyce) really announced himself onto the Classic with a blistering display to win at massive odds of 6/1. Understandably, Romeo Taylor went to boxes as the 2/5 favourite to bounce back to winning ways after his first round defeat but in truth, the son of Newinn Taylor had no excuses as he was run down by his kennel mate in the closing yards. Indeed, at traprise it was Romeo Taylor that took a flier from three and he displayed incredible early gears to leave his rivals for dust in the early yards. Taking a four length lead into the back, Silverhill Adam began to rev his engine at this point and he bridged that gap substantially approaching the penultimate turn. Stopping the third-bend sectional at a whopping 15.91, there was a certain inevitability surrounding the result as the two trackers rounded the bottom two bends and it was Silverhill Adam that showed the superior stamina late on to grind down Romeo Taylor. Two lengths between the duo crossing the line, the time for Silverhill Adam was a fine 28.51 .10s. Incidentally, it was a one-two-three for Graham Holland in this contest as Bockos Wazza finished three and a half lengths further back in third.

UNANIMOUS FROM PANTHER

In the opening quarter final, Silverhill Ben went off as the 5/6 favourite, however, Unanimouspanther won this contest at his leisure.

Trained by Pat Buckley, Unanimouspanther came into this event as a reserve but has since maintained his unbeaten record in the Classic after winning his opening round assignment in a slick 28.52. Owned by Ciaran O’Sullivan, the massive son of Droopys Sydney and Mystical Moll came away racing from three and he outpaced his rivals in the opening yards to go around in front. Meanwhile, in behind there was all sorts of traffic as Silverhill Ben sought out a middle berth in one and as a result, this allowed Buckley’s charge to skip into an unassailable lead down the back straight. From here, the 9/4 chance never relented in his quest for back-to-back wins as he stopped the sectional clock at 16.13, before powering to the line to record a thirteen length victory. The time was 28.68 .10s. In behind, Hot Wood ran an absolute corker to recover from serious traffic and take second, while Quarry Boy just saw off a late surge from Silverhill Ben to finish a further head back in third.

COUNTESS IS BEST

In the third quarter final, Scooby Countess (Droopys Sydney – Scooby Princess) matched her opening round performance as she made went back-to-back for Jennifer O’Donnell and Steve Noble.

Green Brigade went off as the 6/5 favourite after a series of impressive performances, however, his goose was cooked at the opening turn when finding space at a premium on the inside after a level break from several runners. In contrast, it was Romeo Kingpin that rounded in front and he dictated proceedings heading into the back straight from Scooby Countess in second. At this point, In Good Time occupied the third qualifying position, while Green Brigade faced a mountainous task further back in fourth. Holding a two length lead, ‘Kingpin’ continued to set the standard, however, Scooby Countess was edging closer approaching the penultimate turn, as was the Brendan Maunsell-trained In Good Time. Now neck and neck rounding the final turn, O’Donnell’s charge really put the foot down on the run for home and she emerged a solid, one length winner from the flying In Good Time in second. The final qualification spot was sealed by Romeo Kingpin and the time was a smart 28.73 .10s. (Sec: 16.13)

COMET GETS LOOSE

In the second quarter final, Clona Comet got loose at the opener to provide another winner and qualifier for Graham Holland.

Owned by Kevin O’Brien, Clona Comet displayed incredible early pace on his last start and he was on-song once again despite suffering a pretty hefty bump in the opening strides. It was Scooby Pacemaker that showed first from three, however, the improving Clona Comet was really motoring on the rails and, as a result, inevitable traffic was incoming. Scooby Pacemaker was the unfortunate runner on this occasion as he hit the deck and this allowed Clona Comet to race into a commanding lead entering the back. Four lengths in hand over Canya Steve, the latter, who was a massive 11/1 chance, did bridge the gap in the closing yards, however, his efforts were in vain as Clona Comet kept enough in reserve to make it back-to-back wins. One and a half lengths clear of Canya Steve, the time for the son of Newinn Session and Newinn Mimi stopped the clock in 29.07 .10s, while Romeo Falco ensured that Graham Holland will be represented by fifty percent of the semi finalists as he claimed third.

The trap draw for the semi finals of the Kasko National Produce Stakes was made shortly after and is as follows –

T1 – ROMEO KINGPIN

T2 – UNANIMOUSPANTHER

T3 – ROMEO TAYLOR

T4 – CANYA STEVE

T5 – SCOOBY COUNTESS

T6 – ROMEO FALCO

***

T1 – QUARRY BOY

T2 – CLONA COMET

T3 – BOCKOS WAZZA

T4 – SILVERHILL ADAM

T5 – IN GOOD TIME

T6 – HOT WOOD