PLENTY OF TOP PERFORMANCES AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
Following up on last week's impressive winning success, Liosgarbh Lila went quickest in the opening round of the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
Owned by the McLoughney-Family-Syndicate, the well-backed 4-5 favourite was the quickest into stride, but she showed massive early speed to slip around in front. Millridge Nadia and Bockos Leah came together in behind and this allowed the winner to slip clear. A stunning performance to win, in 28.33, six and a half lengths clear of Drive On Shirley, with half a length back Millridge Nadia in third place.
MARIES WEDDING MAKES NO MISTAKE
A recent winner of the Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne Park, Maries Wedding made no mistake in the opening heat for Tamara Butler.
In the driving seat throughout, the 4-5 favourite was always in control as she beat the gallant Galloping Tulip, by two and a half lengths, in 29.45. Brynoffa Arminta a length and a half behind in third place.
IN THE CLOSING HEAT
In the closing heat, Fire Height Gem scored for Brendan Maunsell. Making the most of the inside draw, the 4-1 shot showed massive all round pace to land the spoils, in 28.53.
Millridge Dolly was a shade unlucky at the opening corner, but she still managed to run a big race in second. Three-quarters of a length the margin, with two and a half lengths back to Crafty Jayko in third place.
ALL THE WAY
Burgess Rapid made all the running in the second heat for Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly.
The 6-4 winner produced a good start from the inside of the draw and she was always just doing enough up front. At the line, she was a length and a half clear of the fast-finishing Lads Panther, in 28.68. Octane Cora a short head back in third place.
IN OTHER RACES
The €700 Curraheen Park Supporters Club Getting Out Stakes was a fantastic way to end racing and it was won by the Graham Holland-trained Part Blake.
In the ownership of Una Creed and Mary O'Connor, the 2-1 second favourite was short of room at the opening bend and The Other Kobe quickly took control up front, moving a couple of lengths clear. It all changed in the closing yards as Part Blake delivered a quick finish to score. Millridge Bryce did a lot of running for second, half a length back with a short head back to the early leader, in 28.57.
EXCITING YOUNG PROSPECT
In the sixth, exciting young prospect Newinn Port made it two wins from three career outings for trainer Graham Holland and owners the Hill-Of-Port-Syndicate which is headed by Tipperary GAA legend Liam Sheedy.
The July youngster impressed here as the 6-4 winner turned handy and the classy winner kept on strongly to win, in 28.56. Belindas Finn ran on for second, two and a half lengths back.
FIRST TIME WINNER
The €500 to the winner Debbie Doyle & Curraheen Park Supporters Club 525 went the way of Why Franklin for John Condon.
Winning for the first time on outing number eight, the 5-4 favourite stopped the clock, in 29.35.
PLENTY TO SPARE
Of the other races, Filibustor was a smart winner of race 11.
Owned by Ned Kerrisk, the 7-2 winner won with plenty to spare, in 28.69. It was messy in behind but take nothing away from the in-form winner.