SAM A MCCALMONT STAR
Ian Fortune
Sean Bourke’s Mustang Sam continued his rapid rise up the ranks at Kilkenny on Friday night as he went fastest in the second round of the Ballymac Anton @ Stud McCalmont Cup to make it three wins on the bounce.
The July ’20 son of Droopy Jet and Mustang Kay Cee wasn’t the fastest into stride but displayed fine early speed to join the fast starting Knockdrinna Jet at the second turn. Shooting straight past, Mustang Sam quickly put the result beyond doubt, opening up a three lengths advantage to the third turn.
Both Zoom and Coolanga Lady tried to close the gap on the run in but there was no catching the pace-setter. Mustang Sam came home three lengths to the good over Zoom with Coolanga Lady just a head further back.
PROFESSIONAL FLAMIN DOMINATES
Next fastest was Flaminmonebags as he produced a very professional display in Heat 3.
Owned by the Two Laois Four Kilkenny Syndicate, the son of Laughil Blake and Killaheen Queen broke smartly before flying up the fence to dictate throughout.
There were traffic problems for the remainder of the line-up on the bend and this left Flaminmoneybags to open a clear advantage. He eventually cruised home four and a half lengths clear in 29.05 with Foyle Amy emerging from the pack to take second. There was another three lengths to Dixie in third.
REGRETS WINS AGAIN
Fastest opening round scorer Sober Regrets had to work considerably harder to continue his winning ways in Heat 2.
Trained by David Flanagan for Sean Malone, the son of Droopy Sydney and Lamestep was always prominent but, after staying tight to the fence on the bend, Warrenstown Boy did the pace-setting duties.
The latter led by a length down the back straight with Sober Regrets and Boylesports Dash snapping away at his heels. In the end Sober Regrets was just too strong for the leader on the run in. Hitting the front in the closing yards, Sober Regrets came out on top by a half length in 29.28. Warrenstown Boy was second with Ballybough Champ staying on well to grab third a furth half lengths adrift.
A BIG RUN FROM LUKA
Ballycowen Luka may have gone slowest of the four heat winners but his display was perhaps the most impressive of the round.
Owned jointly by Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle, the son of Droopys Sydney and Jacinta was slowly into stride and had to show fine early speed to move third into the corner.
He was forced wide at this point and sat in fifth down the back straight, be it within four lengths of the pace-setting Macho Pride. Showing fine pace, Ballycowen Luka closed right up on the leaders to the third turn. He was now on a mission. Moving second as they turned for home, he powered up the straight to emerge a length and a half scorer over Rowlers Road in 29.33. Lujaneo stayed on to grab third on the line a further head adrift.