SLICK SONNY A DEADLY PACE-SETTER
Ian Fortune
Brian Kirwin’s Sassy Sonny produced a career best effort to set the standard in the opening round of the valuable Deadly Kennels A2 525 at Kilkenny on Friday night.
The racing was certainly competitive with a number of close finishes but Sassy Sonny was certainly an exception to that rule as he came home clear of his rivals in the opening heat.
Brian Kirwin’s son of Good News and Oldburrin Queen was only third around the opening two bends but began to move through the gears approaching the third turn. Shooting around Sliabh Gcuillinn and Hey Champ, he struck the front between the last two bends before racing right away for a six length verdict in 28.95. Kilgraney Wise came through for second.
COOPER TAKES HIS CHANCE
The only other heat winner to win by more than a length was Bogger Cooper in Heat 4.
Liam Peacock’s son of Pestana and Bogger Bonnie was never far behind the pace-setting Triangle Hidalgo in second, although he seemed to lose his chance when forced to check at the third turn.
This allowed Festive Fun to shoot up his inner into second but Bogger Cooper recovered quickly. When the front two clashed off the final turn, Bogger Cooper took advantage. Going to the front at this point, he raced on for a four length victory over the staying on The Other Breac in 29.25.
PEEWEE TOO STRONG
Veteran performer Storys Peewee took the second heat with his trademark late burst.
Gavin O’Mahoney’s powerful son of Over Limit and Kittys Box actually went up fast but lost his position on the turn before entering the back in third. He was ultimately too close and the Murt Leahy trained star powered home to pick up the long-time leader Nomadic Bolt for a half length verdict in 29.44.
CHEQUE BOUNCES OUT
Cheque For Sir was a straightforward winner of Heat 3, showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals to make every yard for Karol Ramsbottom and the Cash Back Syndicate.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Ava was kept up to his work by Arrigle Rise but held on to see off that rival by a half length in 29.20.
PLAYBOY RALLIES FOR VICTORY
Nicky Cleere and Cindy Nolan were on the mark in Heat 5 where Avongate Playboy eventually came out on top despite the best efforts of both Tailteann Syd and Maori Man.
The former was prominent from the outset, having a great battle with Avongate Playboy.
The pair seemed destined to fight out the finish until Maori Man came with a rush off the final turn. In a desperate finish, despite running wide off the final turn, Avongate Playboy (Crash/ Physical Power) rallied to lead in the closing yards for a neck verdict over Maori Man in 29.33 with Tailteann Syd another half length adrift in third.
BELL ENDS THE ROUND
Black Bell brought the curtain down on proceedings with a superb front running success in the final heat as she posted 29.12.
After disputing the lead into the bend, she eased on at this point to dictate for the remainder.
Sean Leahy and Thomas Norton’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and An Cailin Alainn emerged a three parts of a length scorer over the staying on Dalcash Dapper.