BAREFOOT HITS THE RIGHT NOTE IN CLONBRIEN TREATY LIMERICK OAKS DECIDER
Peter Farrell
All eyes were on the final of the €9,000 to the winner Clonbrien Treaty Limerick Oaks on Saturday night and Barefoot On Fire built on her terrific semi final performance with a flawless, trap-to-line victory for Bryan and Kathleen Murphy.
Kindly sponsored by Jim Murphy, the Clonbrien Treaty Oaks has produced some tremendous action at Limerick over the past four weeks and it was capped off in sensational style last night as Barefoot On Song posted a fastest of the stake, 28.17, in the decider. In the earlier rounds, it was Rinnwood Gem that set the standard as she zipped around the Dock Road circuit in 28.25 and 28.22 respectively. Indeed, Des Flaherty’s star came into the decider as the only unbeaten runner, however, in truth she had no answer to Barefoot On Song as she found her very best form at exactly the right time.
Trained by Paul Hennessy, who recorded another big-race success, Barefoot On Song was perfectly housed in trap one, however, much was to depend on whether or not she could clear Rinnwood Gem on her immediate outside. Sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite on the night, this proved a mere formality for ‘On Song’ as she emerged level with her main threat, before really excelling the opening yards to post a rapid 1.24 sectional. As a result, the classy fawn held all the aces on the run-up and she rounded the opener with a two length advantage over Rinnwood Gem in second. Meanwhile, Castleivy Ginge occupied the bronze position as she overcame a poor draw in six, however, this quickly developed into a match race between the leading duo as all six galloped down the back straight in indian file. Maintaining a sizzling gallop on the approach to the penultimate bend, Hennessy’s charge remained firmly in the driving seat and the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Jaytee Osprey was showing little sign of surrendering her advantage despite the best intentions of Rinnwood Gem in second. As the bitches raced around the final two bends, ‘Gem’ looked to be edging closer, however, once straightened up onto the home straight Barefoot On Song pulled out all the stops to land this prestigious event. A thoroughly impressive performance from this lady, she was one and a half lengths too strong for Rinnwood Gem and it was Kilcolgan Whitney that came through strongly to claim third. The time, as mentioned, was a hot 28.17 .10f.
*****
FOUR FROM FOUR FOR BOGGER PAT
Elsewhere on the card, the semi finals of the valuable Tom Real Memorial A2 525 served as the supporting act and once again, Bogger Pat showed why he is one of the Countries most exciting youngsters with an exhibition of front-running for owner Liam Peacock.
Chasing a fourth win from as many starts coming into the semis, Bogger Pat was installed as the 4/5 favourite and he set out his stall early doors with a thunderous break from trap three. In doing so, the July puppy showed his customary early gears to round the opener in control and he soon manufactured a two length lead passing the sprint boxes. Stretching out brilliantly, the gap doubled on the approach to the penultimate bend and although Onthe Run Ollie ran an eye-catching race to close the gap in the closing stages, Peacock’s star raced to a comfortable two and a half length success. The time was a blistering 28.24 .10f, which was a near three length improvement on his second round victory.
As with the opening semi, the second semi also went to script as Fairy Footsteps justified her 4/6 billing with a hard-working display for Pat Guilfoyle, K.R Allsop and Willie Rigney.
A trap-to-line winner last time out, Fairy Footsteps failed to come away as fluently this time around, however, took charge over Quality Jack entering the back. In doing so, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Enable stuck to her task well and despite coming under pressure from Ballygibba Sam late on, Fair Footsteps emerged a one length winner. The time was 28.85 .10f.
In the third and final semi, Knockard Hero made it back-to-back wins for Larry Enright.
Drawn in trap six, the even money chance made his intentions felt with a smash break out wide and he rounded the opener in firm control over Grouchos King in second. Killacolla Mike quickly improved into second down the back and looked likely to threaten Knockard Hero in the closing yards, however, the latter pulled out all the stops to cross the line one length clear. The time was swift 28.51 .10f.
IN OTHER RACES
Southwind Wild arrived at Limerick with a massive reputation after winning his first race in a blistering 21.23 around Dundalk, followed by 18.63 around HQ. As a result, Pat Buckley had seen enough to step into purchase this son of Dorotas Wildcat - Mucky Harbour and he won his first four-bend race in emphatic style last night. Owned by William Wood, the April whelp walked from trap six but he showed terrific early speed to quickly improve from his wide berth. In doing so, the 4/7 chance swept the opening bend to take a six length lead into the back and he stayed on very well to cross the line five and a half lengths clear of Gulleen Sydney in second. The time was a smart 28.56 .10f.
Race eight saw an Open class Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Trial Stake landed in emphatic fashion by a very bright puppy in the shape of Left Corner Back. Trained by Thomas Leahy for Damian O’Connell, this June whelp looked a big prospect after winning his first two starts around Enniscorthy and he franked that form with a terrific performance from trap four. A 5/2 chance at the off, the son of Here Comes Syd - Westpoint Jordi walked from traps, however, showed stunning early speed to nip through runners and take command rounding the opener. In doing so, Left Corner Back opened up majestically down the back and although Brideside Bill edged into the lead, the damage was done early as Leahy’s charge crossed the line with two lengths to spare. The time was a brilliant 28.25 .10f.
Faypoint Ranger was a beaten favourite in the final of the Rural Kennels Unraced at Clonmel in early February and Patricia Flanagan’s charge bounced back to winning ways with a smart success in race ten. Sent to traps at odds of 5/2, the Graham Holland-trained star showed the best of the early speed to lead from two and he held all the aces entering the back straight. Looking a comfortable winner at this point, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa - Carefree Tip came under huge pressure in the closing yards as Shebetheone took off, however, ‘Ranger’ just did enough to cross the line in front. Just three parts of a length to spare, the time was 28.46 .10f.