TWO GREAT EVENTS DRAW A LARGE CROWD AT CURRAHEEN PARK ON TUESDAY NIGHT
Barry Drake
Despite horrible conditions, a massive crowd turned at Curraheen Park on Tuesday night. It was great to see such brilliant support for two fantastic events and well done to all at Curraheen Park for offering free admission.
Ballycowen Liam (Premier Fantasy-Ballycowen Roxy) put on a brilliant performance in the opening round heat of the Jerry & Michael Hennerty Memorial Unraced Stake.
After turning third around the opening corners, the March puppy had four lengths to make up on early leader Brideview Sydney at halfway. Showing impressive finishing sectionals, he stormed home to beat the early leader, by four and a half lengths, in 28.63, for trainer Dean Harpur and owner Debbie Doyle. Three and a half lengths back to Droopys Rampant in third place.
DOWLING ON TARGET
In heat two, Ballymac Neil scored for Liam Dowling.
Just making the corner from Toolmaker Stan, the March son of Ballymac Cooper and Coolavanny Pet had to pull out all the stops to land the spoils. Toolmaker Stan was always within touching distance, but the winner had all the answers. Two lengths the margin, in 28.89, with a length back to Mother Jones in third place.
IMPRESSIVE RUN
Droopys Unicorn, trained by Johnny Linehan for owner Barry O'Driscoll, was a runaway winner of heat three.
Showing plenty of early dash, the daughter of Spoofer and Droopys Posh stormed around the opening bends in front. Soon clear, it was all one-way traffic up front. A five and a half-length victory, in 28.71. Ballymac Bar was second best, two and a half lengths clear of Sleek Dreams who was back in third.
STRONG LATE FINISH
The fourth and final heat went the way of Move Over Josh (Droopys Sydney-Palace Queen) for trainer Rachel Wheeler and owner Kevin Drinan.
Mid division for most of the journey, the February puppy was strongest from the turns for home as he beat long-time leader Pluckanes Magic, by a length and a half, in 29.24. A further length back to Southwind Magic in third place.
THE MICHAEL (BART) LEAHY MEMORIAL A2 EVENT ALSO PRODUCED TOP CLASS RACING.
Ashgrove Moana showed sizzling early gears when winning the opening heat for Eimear Finn.
A couple of lengths clear at the opening corner, the outcome was never in any doubt as she cruised to a comfortable success, in 28.55. Droopys Shaun was next best, four and half lengths back, with a head back to Millridge Levi in third.
LYNCH ON THE DOUBLE
Butterbridge Ivy impressed in the second heat for trainer Kieran Lynch.
In front soon after the second corner, she then quickened clear and was always holding the fast-finishing Footfield Siren. A 28.71 winning performance, a length clear of Footfield Siren. Two and a half lengths back to Cluain Jack in third place.
Lynch doubled up in heat four, Bartlemy Jas delivering a top-class performance to win for owner Liam Mannix. Hitting the crowd running, the early paced performer put on a fantastic performance to win easily, in 28.39. Ballymac Johnjo found plenty of early trouble but he ran on well for second, nine and a half lengths back in second. Half a length back to third which was Lyreen Nomad.
RESERVE RUNNER
Reserve runner Grangeview Port took the third heat for Michael Hogan.
Berties Cuddles led at the opening corner, but the winner showed a lovely injection of pace to lead soon after. Keeping on well in front, the winner proved a length and a half too strong, in 28.87. Three and a half lengths back to Young Bud in third.
SMART WINNER
Da Councillor, trained by Patrick Barrett for the Mulveys-Gang-Syndicate, ran out a smart winner of heat four.
Showing nice pace around the opening corners, the January puppy quickly put the race to bed as he beat Witches Mercury, by four and a half lengths, in 28.77. A neck back to Ballydorgan Duke in third.
ALL ABOUT LOLA
It was all about Ballycowen Lola in the following race making it a double for Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle.
It was messy at the opening corner, but that didn't stop the winner as she returned to winning ways, in 28.69. Mustang Vicky was three and a half lengths back in second, with a further seven back to Russmur Fantasy in third.
ALL THE WAY VICTORY
Heat seven went the way of Glanmire Fox for trainer Pat Kiely and George Egan.
A likeable front winning display, clocking 28.86 and coming home three and a half lengths clear of Grangeview Best. Four and a half lengths back to Outdoor Rainbow in third.
CLOSING RACE
In the closing race, it was all about Our Dog Molly for trainer Tom O'Neill and owner the Boys From Bally Syndicate.
Showing all her usual early gears, the May youngster came home with a length and a half to spare over Blarney Belle, in 28.93. Half a length back to Brogan Defender in third.