DREAM START FOR TIERMANA IN TREATY CUP OPENER

Peter Farrell

It was an action-packed night at Limerick on Saturday as, alongside the third-round heats of the TIME Club Derby, the opening round of the West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 also took centre stage.

Always one of the highlights of the sprinting calendar, the 2026 renewal carries a winner's prize of €5,000 and early indications suggest it will take a serious performance to lift the trophy, with just two lengths separating the three heat winners on the night. On the night, it was Tiermana Dream that set the standard with another brilliant display for connections, although it was something of a surprise to see defending champion Stonepark Browne forced to settle for second place in his assignment.

Tiermana Dream has developed into one of the country's premier speedsters and the Colm Fitzgerald-trained star was sent off the 4/5 favourite for heat two. Drawn in trap five, he was bidding for an eleventh career success but appeared to face a stiff task after failing to come away on terms with his rivals. With the field tightly grouped approaching the opening bend, the contest looked wide open, but Tiermana Dream was beginning to gather momentum and swept the opening bend to take control from Portrush Ben. From there, the result was never in doubt as the Zero-Zero Syndicate-owned son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Tiermana Jetty powered clear to score by four-and-a-half lengths from the staying-on Hawk So Black. The winning time was a sharp 18.51 .10f.

BIG BOY MAKES ALL

In the curtain-raiser, Moybella Bigboy arrived from the Kingdom boasting some solid recent form and continued his good form as he emerged a 5/2 winner for owner Thomas J. Kennelly.

Drawn in trap five, the son of Explosive Boy and Moybella Pixie was on-the-ball from the outset, pinging the lids and showing excellent early pace to seize control on the run to the opening bend. Pressed throughout by Dakota View, Moybella Bigboy kept pulling out more as the line approached and he was to hold on gamely up the Limerick hill to prevail by a half-length from Dakota View in second. The clock showed 18.71 .10f.

FERRY SEES OFF BROWNE

The concluding heat produced identical figures as Vigorous Ferry (6/1) landed a notable success at the expense of reigning champion Stonepark Browne.

Installed as the 1/2 favourite, Stonepark Browne's task was made considerably tougher after a sluggish start, with both Vigorous Ferry and Tally Ho Rose gaining first run on him. Vigorous Ferry, meanwhile, was steering a very wide course throughout and looked vulnerable entering the home straight. However, he responded admirably, finding extra on the run-in to repel the late charge of Stonepark Browne. To his credit, the defending champion finished strongly after his tardy exit, but he was forced to settle for second, just a short-head behind the winner at the line.

The draw for the semi finals of the West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 was made shortly after and is as follows :

1st Semi Final

T1 - Portrush Ben

T2 - Tiermana Hunter

T3 - Hawk So Black

T4 - Avenue Queen

T5 - Moybella Bigboy

T6 - Vigorous Ferry

2nd Semi Final

T1 - Tally Ho Rose

T2 - Dakota View

T3 - Stonepark Browne

T4 - Microchip

T5 - Tiermana Dream

T6 - Cherrygrove Four