LIMA ROSE BLOOMS IN JIM MCCANN MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

Others may have gone faster on the night but Lima Rose was clearly the most impressive winner at Shelbourne Park on Friday as she overcame bad traffic to emerge a determined winner of the Jim McCann Memorial or Ollie Bray and June Maguire.

Rowlers Road set a strong gallop after a flying start from two but was under pressure into the turn by Lima Rose and Boothebest. Importantly, Lima Rose was stuck between her two rivals and she was left with nowhere to go on the bend.

Forced to check her stride, she lost valuable ground before meeting further bother at the second turn as Yacth Ned attempted to get up her inside. It meant that Rowlers Road was clear passing halfway with Lima Rose now attempting to recover in fourth.

Remarkably, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Silver Penny was still fourth approaching the third turn but she drove through on the fence to go third at the third turn. With Boothebest swinging wide and Rowlers Road staying tight to the fence, Lima Rose made her move between her rivals on the run in. In a tremendous finish, Lima Rose got up to deny Rowlers Road in the dying strides. Lima Rose emerged a three parts of a length winner in 28.89. Boothebest was third, just a half length further adrift. 

TORY TOO HOT IN UNRACED DECIDER

Earlier on the card, the other feature contest, the final of the RCETS ON2 525 saw the exciting Tory Abbie run out a brilliant winner in a fast 28.68.

Flashing from traps, the Adam Dunford trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Matilda was never under a moment’s pressure as she dominated throughout to see off the fast-finishing Spelga Dam by eight lengths. Paul Reid’s winner is clearly going the right way and is one to keep an eye on going forward.