SOLO AND GO ON TARGET FOR 1XBET SUPERSPRINT SUCCESS
Barry Drake
SOLO AND GO (Ballymac Best-Ballymac Minton), trained by Liam Dowling for owners the Kingdoms Palace Syndicate, which includes GAA stars David and Paudi Clifford, was the star performer in the semi-finals of the 1XBet Supersprint at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
The 4-6 favourite was showing nice pace into the opening corner, and it was a real race up front with Tiermana Dream also displaying bundles of speed. Little between them turning for home, Solo And Go found bit more to land the spoils. A head the margin, in 17.41. Ballymac Stud a length and a half back in third.
Ridgemount Sky (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Sanjose) took the second semi-final as the 5-1 shot came home in front for Alan and John Troy. Always in the firing line along the inside of the track and with plenty of crowding in behind, the strong running winner pulled away late on, beating Droopys Apollo, by three and a half lengths, in 17.65. Stonepark Browne a further two and a half lengths back in third.
Ballymac Siun (King Elvis-Ballymac Merkle) made the most of a golden opportunity when making the most of the huge drop in class to win the closing race, an A0, for trainer Liam Dolwing. The 4-5 favourtie flew down the back to lead and once in front, it was game over. Timmys Bucks ran well for second, four lengths back, in 28.34.
Turbine Tahiti (Ballymac Best-Mucky Harbour) made all to win the opening semi-final of the Dynamic Force @ Stud A2/A3 Bitch Stake. Jim McCarthy's 4-1 winner clocked a sizzling 3.26 sectional, and she made all to beat Deelish Robyn, by a length and a half, in 28.92. Three-quarters of a length back to Gaytime Susie in third.
In the second semi-final, Blastoff Music (Orchestrate-Blastoff Tess) returned to winning ways for Philip Buckley. In front early, the July puppy went on to make just about all, beating Danish Bubble, by a length, in 28.96. A length back to Ballydorgan One in third.
Scooby Marquess (Grangeview Ten-Scooby Duchess), trained by Jennifer O'Donnell for Steve Noble, impressed when winning the night, an AA0. Punters who took the short odds never had a moment's worry as the classy winner led early, always in control, the 1-2 jolly beat Ballymac Kamala, by three lengths, in 28.41.
The third, an A1, produced an exciting finish, and Sleedagh Charm (Ballymac Best-Ballycowen
Titanic Brads (Deerjet Sydney-Bogger Swift) turned the fourth, an A2, into a one-dog affair. Trained by Graham Holland for owner James Campbell, the 4-5 favourite took control early and went on to beat Clonavanny Blue, six lengths, in 28.74.
Liam Peacock, Thurles, made a rare visit to Curraheen Park, and he took the opening two races on the card.
In the opener, an A4, Bogger Nifty (Bogger Scooby-Bogger Bonnie) made the most of the rails pitch to land the spoils. Railing well throughout, the 5-4 winner took over from Curragh Rankin soon after the opening corners, and he stayed on well to beat the gallant runner-up, by half a length, in 29.11.
In the second, an A2, Bogger Tommy (Glengar Bale-Bogger Ophelia) bounced out in front to make all the running and complete the double. The 4-1 shot got the better of Super Syd, by a length, in 28.89.