BACK-TO-BACK FOR BREDAS

Peter Farrell

The Clonmel Unraced Bitch Stake has proved to be highly competitive thus far and last night’s semi finals were again of top quality as Bredas Wood went narrowly quickest for the second week running.

Bredas Wood posted a sparkling 28.49 last time out as she took this stake by the scruff of the neck for owner Pat Carey and although not going anywhere close to those types of figures last night, she overcame a troublesome passage before delivering in fine style to book her spot in next week’s decider. Running from trap four, Bredas Wood was only moderately into stride and it was Crossfield Maxi and Goldmine Mono who disputed the early proceedings with the former holding the narrow advantage entering the opening turn. However, despite shipping a bump at this point, Bredas Wood showed her class down the back and she galloped menacingly alongside Crossfield Maxi before sqooping to the front. From here, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Leamaneigh Breda held all the aces as she set a strong gallop to come home two lengths clear of Crossfield Maxi in second. The time was a swift 28.80.

NON-STOP ON TOP

In the opening semi final, Shes Non Stop went one better than her narrow defeat last time out to seal a first career win.

Owned by Neil Herbert, Shes Non Stop led everywhere but the line last time out before collared late on by Deelish Oreo but she was to exact revenge on that rival with an accomplished performance for connections. Running from the stripes, Shes Non Stop was led early on by the Declan Byrne-trained Tory Aria but she soon displayed the superior early dash to round the opener with a slender advantage. Showing a nice turn of pace down the back, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Happy Girl maintained a smart gallop throughout and she crossed the line one and a half lengths clear of Tory Aria, who also ran a big race, in second. The time was just .1 slower than Bredas Wood, 28.81.