BRILLIANT GIZMO EQUALS CLOCK IN FAIR WARRIOR

Ian Fortune

Gizmo Cash was at his imperious best at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon as he continued his unbeaten march through the Matchbook Fair Warrior Open 400, equaling the two-year-old track record of Fiftycashback in the process.

Mustang Joey took the other heat in a photo finish, although the strange angle gave supporters of Downstream Chief a thrill as it seemed he may have come from of the pace to lead on the line.

GIZMO STEALS HEADLINES

The headlines went to Gizmo Cash, however. The Shelbourne 350yd record holder was understandably sent to traps a red-hot favourite to emerge on top and, after a couple of strides, it was clear he was going to oblige.

Flashing from trap three, Jamie McGee’s brilliant son of Droopys Jet and Down The Green was always in complete command. Breaghmore Rob moved off the fence and bumped Airport Flying but the latter was left second as his rival again ran off the turn.

But this was all about Gizmo Cash. The Keeley McGee trained star maintained a fluent gallop throughout before going on to score by a four and a half length margin in a record equaling 21.06. Airport Flying was second with Breaghmore Rob another length and a half adrift in third.

JOEY HOLDS ON IN TIGHT FINISH

As stated, the other heat saw Mustang Joey and Downstream Chief cross the line locked in battle.

In contrast to eight days earlier when stumbling at boxes, Jim Darcy and Paul Horig’s Mustang Joey broke fastest to dictate from the outset.

The talented son of Droopys Jet and Mustang Kay Cee seemed certain to emerge a facile winner once turn in front but Downstream Chief was in no humour to hand the leader an easy victory. Moving with real purpose in the final fifty yards, Downstream Chief closed the gap rapidly as Mustang Joey perhaps eased off slightly as he approached the third turn where the winning line is situated.

To many, it seemed as though Downstream Chief got up but the official verdict went to Mustang Joey by a neck, although it looked closer to a head in the photograph. The winner stopped the clock in 21.42. there was a further three and a half length gap to Thirtynine Winks in third, who did extremely well to recover from a stumble at boxes. 

Matchbook Fair Warrior Open 400

Draw for Sunday’s final:

1 AIRPORT FLYING

2 MUSTANG JOEY

3 BREAGHMORE ROB

4 GIZMO CASH

5 DOWNSTREAM CHIEF

6 THINTYNINE WINKS (W)