DROOPYS FRECKLES RETURNS TO TOP FORM ON THE NIGHT THAT MATTERED

Barry Drake

DROOPYS FRECKLES, trained by Johnny Linehan for owners Sean and Pat Hegarty, landed the feature at Curraheen Park on Saturday night, the €1,800 to the winner Davy O'Brien Memorial A2 Stake.

The 3-1 shot produced her quickest start for quite some time, and it was on the night that mattered. Slipping around the opening turns in front, she was soon joined and briefly headed by Hollyhill King; however, the winner put on a determined effort to land the spoils. Pulling out all the stops on the turns for home, Droopys Freckles stayed on strongly to beat the running on Father Jack, by three-quarters of a length, in 28.73. Three lengths back to Valhalla Vision in third place.

Droopys Freckles, trained by Johnny Linehan for Sean and Pat Hegarty, wins the final of the Davy O'Brien Memorial A2 Stake. Pictured with friends and supporters.

Carrigoon Milo (Pestana-Carrigoon Lottie) is a greyhound with a big future after Noel Casey's November puppy made it two wins from as many starts. The 5-4 favourite created such a favorable impression on debut, and this was another fantastic winning performance. In front before the opening turn, he soon got the better of Ardrath Ali, and he displayed plenty of pace to beat Riverside Popsie by two and a half lengths, in 28.60. Expect much more from this super-talented puppy in the coming weeks.

The Open Sprint on the card looked like a red-hot contest, and it was Colour Matcher who came out in front for Ger Crowley. Powering home, the 4-1 winner got the better of Redzer Rio, by three-quarters of a length, in 17.92.

Barefoot On Fire, trained by Paul Hennessy for owners Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, completed back-to-back winning performances with a fine display in the closing race. Showing lovely speed to turn second around the opening corners, the 2-1 winner put on a big finish to deny the front-running Highview Ben, by two and a half lengths, in 28.63. (AA0).

In other races, Mister Myles is no stranger to big performances around Cork, and he returned to winning form in the seventh. In the care of Ross Myles for the Clonmel Five Syndicate, the 4-1 winner delivered a superb last-to-first winning run. On top late on, the classy performer beat Millridge Andy, by two lengths in 28.88. (A1).