SYD TAKES OFF IN CHAMPION OPEN UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Both semi-finals of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny were won in superb fashion on Friday night but the display of Broadstrand Syd in the second heat was particularly good with the Johnny Linehan trained star leaving a top-class field in his dust.

Moanteen Wildcat also impressed with a similar display in the opening heat but the headlines had to go to Broadstrand Syd.

SLICK SYD TOO SHARP

Broadstrand Syd faced a tricky draw in six but was sharp enough to overcome it. Showing fine early speed after a slick exit, he edged across the track to lead his rivals into the turn. Hopes Teddy and Lion Heart disputed second place into the turn with the former checking wide, losing his chance.

Broadstrand Syd was loose, however, and starting to really turn the screw. By halfway, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice was three and a half lengths clear of Lion Heart. He continued to pile on the pressure to hit the third turn five lengths clear.

There was no signs of any let up from the Ryan, Drake, Donovan Syndicate owned star as he ran out a magnificent five and a half length scorer in 28.79. Lion Heart was second with Ballymac Thelad finishing fast in third, a further neck behind.

WILDCAT POUNCES

Beaming Opium was fastest into stride from trap five in the opening heat, cutting inwards from trap five to grab a rails pitch into the turn. It seemed certain she would turn in front but Rachel Wheeler’s Moanteen Wildcat had other ideas.

Powering into the corner from the outside, he cut across the early pace-setter on the corner. The pair bumped a couple of times at this point but Moanteen Wildcat lost little momentum. Easing clear to halfway, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow was almost four lengths clear into the third turn and well on his way to a comfortable success.

Greenmount Bale did finish at speed to close the gap considerably but Moanteen Wildcat emerged a length winner in 29.05. Julies Gem was two length away in third.