FREEDOM SONIA THE STAR PERFORMER IN KILCORAN PARK FEATURE

Barry Drake

The opening round of the Gertie Power & Joyce O'Regan Memorial A2 stake produced some really good racing in Waterford on Saturday night.

Freedom Sonia was the star performer in the fifth heat. Owned and trained by Kathleen Pomfret, the October puppy was always in control and the 5-2 shot stopped the clock, in 28.72. 

In heat four, Ballygur Hanzo was another to impress when winning for William Hanlon. The 3-1 winner delivered a really strong finish to land the spoils, in 28.84.

In the opening heat, Lemon Defoe returned to winning ways for George Roche. The 6-4 second favourite sat second for most of the journey and he pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to win, in 28.92.

In the second heat, Two Fathers delivered a fine front running winning display for Niall Codd. All about early speed, the 6-1 outsider impressed with a fantastic 28.94 winning run.

Speedy Marie made the most of the trouble up front when coming from well off the pace to win the third heat, in 29.52, for Billy Kiely. It never ever looked likely, but the 4-1 shot took full advantage to land the spoils.