HUKUM SINKS RIVALS IN ROMA CASINO CAMBRIDGESHIRE SEMIS

Peter Farrell

After the sensational opening round action in the 2023 Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire last weekend at Limerick, there was huge interest in how the semi finals would play out and while Kinturk Road came out on top in the opening semi, it was Hukum who has emerged as a massive player ahead of the €5,000 decider next Saturday night

Indeed, Threesixfive set the track on fire last weekend as she flew around the Dock Road circuit to set new figures for the six-bend trip and all eyes were on what looked a match-race in the opening semi final between herself and the reigning Corn Cuchulainn winner, Kinturk Road. While the latter was to prevail in that particular contest, it was actually the second semi final where patrons were treated to something particularly special. Hukum, a recent winner in 28.00 for the standard trip, produced an exceptional display of pace and stamina to run out a most impressive winner and firmly cement is status as a leading player ahead of the feature in six days’ time.

HUKUM GETS LOOSE

Trained by Adam Dunford for The-Fantasy-Syndicate, Hukum was installed as the 5/4 favourite to avenge his opening round defeat and he looked very well placed to do so as he chased the fast-starting, Da Bold Freddie, into the opening corner. As expected, the latter go off to a flying start from trap one but the writing was already on the wall as Hukum turned a mere three parts of a length adrift in second. Crossing the winning line for the first time and Hukum began to assert, immediately creating daylight between himself and Da Bold Freddie as he marched on to stop the sectional clock at a swift 13.13. From here, the son of Good News and Early Rise drew clear of his rivals and this was all one-way traffic as Hukum crossed the line with ten lengths to spare over Beach Babe, who recovered well from traffic, in second. The remaining qualifier was Lisadora, who also stayed on stoutly, to come through for third place. The time was a rapid 41.29.

KINTURK DOWNS HER RIVALS

Coming into the opening semi final, Threesixfive was expected to avenge her Corn Cuchulainn defeat to Kinturk Road but after a missed start, the latter was to maintain her exceptional record over the marathon trip to cross in front, but only just!

Chasing an amazing ninth win from ten starts over the 750-yard trip, Kinturk Road went to traps as the 7/4 second favourite behind Threesixfive and she made her intentions clear from the off as the Frank Thornton-owned tracker bolted from trap two to quickly establish the lead. In contrast, Threesixfive absolutely fluffed her lines from trap one and she looked in a spot of both on the approach to the opening turn as she trailed the field. Forced to check at this point, Threesixfive remaining in sixth place as Kinturk Road opening a two length lead over McNeill passing the stands for the first time. Posting a rapid 13.03 sectional, the Liam Dowling-trained daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Arminta was firmly in charge, however, McNeill was running a fantastic race in second and he was certainly closing midway down the back straight. That said, Kinturk Road knows exactly how to win and despite coming under serious pressure from McNeill in the closing stages, she stuck to her guns well to record a neck victory in 41.60. The final qualifying position went to Threesixfive and it has to be said, she run a phenomenal race to get back into contention and Scott Phelan’s bitch, without doubt, remains the one to beat next weekend.

The draw for the final of 2023 Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 – MCNEILL

T2 – HUKUM

T3 – THREESIXFIVE

T4 – KINTURK ROAD

T5 – LISADORA

T6 – BEACH BABE