GIZMO SHINES IN BAR ONE CRYSTAL VASE OPENER AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

Sunday evening saw the opening round heats of the Bar One Racing Crystal Vase Open 325 get underway at Lifford Stadium and all four heats proved an exhibition of how sprinting should be done – out and gone.

Kindly sponsored by Bar One Racing, this competition offers a brilliant first prize of €4,000 for just three runs and, as expected, it was Gizmo Cash, who set the standard last night with a near record-breaking performance in heat four. Trained by Keeley McGee, the dual record holder went to traps as a generous even money chance and he made no mistake after a smart exit from trap one. Showing immediate early pace to lead into the opener, the son of Droopys Jet and Down The Green maintained a relentless gallop all the way up the hill, crossing the line one and a quarter lengths clear of Hullraiser, who was a real eye-catcher, in second. The final qualifying position went to Zaconey Vulcan as the clock returned a rapid 17.25, equaling the time of Fahan Rebel in early June.

BLAKE NEXT BEST

In terms of the clock, it was the Brendan Cullen handled, Newline Blake, who went next best with another polished performance.

Owned by the Lord-Of-The-Rings-Syndicate, Newline Blake was the 2/1 second favourite behind Stronger and he trapped in front from four alongside Hasty Nell in three. However, within a matter of strides Newline Blake went clear and he never looked back thereafter. Handling the bends expertly, the son of Laughil Blake and Newline Mo powered home to see off Hasty Nell by just under four lengths in 17.32. The final qualifying position went to Stronger, who recovered from a poor start to fly home.

WINNING RETURN FOR JET

In heat two, the Brendan Duffy-owned Slipalong Jet made a winning return to the Northwest venue as he too made every inch of the running.

A 2/1 chance at the outside alongside Stefans Joker in six, Slipalong Jet proved too hot to handle early on as he trapped well from four to immediately excel past the fast-starting John Boy Pakie in five. From here, it was all over barring incident as Slipalong Jet powered into a clear advantage and despite coming under serious pressure from Stefans Joker late on, there was no doubt about the winner. Staying on stoutly to secure a half length victory, Slipalong Jet stopped the clock in 17.35 as Stefans Joker and John Boy Pakie claimed the minor placings in second and third respectively.

ONE MAN SHOW

The remaining heat of the night saw a major upset as One Man Disco ran out an easy winner over the fancied Hawkfield Ava.

Indeed, this was the only heat where the eventual winner didn’t lead from traprise but One Man Disco put that right within a matter of strides as he reeled in Hawkfield Ava with ease. The latter took a flier from five, however, the Paul Matthews-trained 4/1 shot quickly asserted on the rails to round the turn with clear daylight. From here, the son of Droopys Sydney and Got The Charm proved a class above on this occasion as he crossed the line just under six lengths clear of Hawkfield Ava in second. The remaining qualifying position was claimed by Toolbox Talk, as the clock returned a good 17.56.

The draw for the semi finals of the Bar One Racing Crystal Vase SS0 325 was made shortly after and is as follows :

1st semi final

T1 – GIZMO CASH

T2 – ONE MAN DISCO

T3 – SLIPALONG JET

T4 – NEWLINE BLAKE

T5 – STRONGER

T6 – STEFANS JOKER

2nd semi final

T1 – HULLRAISER

T2 – HASTY NELL

T3 – ZACONEY VULCAN

T4 – TOOLBOX TALK

T5 – HAWKFIELD AVA

T6 – JOHN BOY PAKIE