STICK WITH ME STARS IN TESTING CONDITIONS AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The adverse weather got the better of multiple stadiums across the country on Saturday night but, despite testing conditions at Limerick, there were some brilliant performances, none more so than Stick With Me in the Open 550.

With some top-class trackers lining out, Stick With Me was a massive 8/1 chance in the one-off contest but, in truth, once hitting the front, he was never under serious threat of being reeled in. Owned by the Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate, the heavyweight tracker is best known for his off-the-pace exploits, which is no surprise given he is an offspring of the incredible Dana Point. However, he was on point from trap six on this occasion, showing a nice turn of early speed to lead.

Allowed the freedom of the outside, Stick With Me showed plenty of early dash to nip around just clear of Your The King in second. Quickly opening a three-length advantage, the son of Grangeview Ten took the long way around throughout, but clearly had plenty up his sleeve as he emerged a three-and-a-half-length victor over Your The King. The time was a fast 30.07 on a track rated .40 slow on the night. One suspects the Leger is next on the agenda for this strong-running tracker.

ELSEWHERE

Crossfield Ewen produced an impressive debut in the curtain-raiser as he emerged a wide-margin winner for the Green-Lights-Syndicate. Installed as the 4/5 favourite, the February son of Ballymac Cashout - Crossfield Feena was asked plenty of questions early on as Drombeg Lacey showcased nice early speed to lead. However, having tracked his rival until the halfway mark, ‘Ewen’ hit the front and duly drew clear to cross the line seven-and-a-half lengths clear. The time was 29.02 .20s.

Blastoff Fly (Mustang Jet - Blastoff Apache) was the next to dip under the 29-second barrier in calculated terms. The Philip Buckley runner was having his first race since May but showed little sign of race rust as he took charge off the second bend before setting a strong gallop to win by four lengths from Run For Tommy in second. The time for the 3/1 chance was 29.29 .40s.

Race seven saw another big-priced winner as Candys Widget took his career tally into double figures for Donal Duggan and the Any-Chance-Of-A-Kuga-Syndicate. Taking a dip in grade, ‘Widget’ was a 5/1 chance at the outset, however, he nestled in behind Tally Ho Rose early on to sit second. Allowed plenty of room to manoeuvre, the son of Skywalker Canny upped the ante between the bottom two bends before powering up the Limerick hill to win by a length from Ceekay Susie in second. The time was 29.00 .40s.

Race nine produced another of the standout performances as Unanimous Tobi maintained his flawless career start for Ciaran O’Sullivan and Pat Buckley. A fine prospect, the son of Dromana Bucko - Mystical Luna was a 4/5 chance and, although only breaking moderately, he barged his way through at the opener to go two lengths clear of Hazelhill Gent in second. Maintaining a strong gallop thereafter, he was never under serious threat and crossed the line with two lengths to spare over Hazelhill Gent. The time was a fast 28.77 .20s.

The concluding contest saw Memories Future (3/1) bring up his half-dozen of career victories for owner Ned Fogarty. Indeed, this was a terrific performance from the son of Tommy Shelby - Magnetism as he made up some ten lengths on his rivals to score. Sitting fifth early on, the talented tracker slipped through traffic to move into third but still had a mountain to climb as Private Lola shot into a commanding lead out front. However, making steady progress, Memories Future produced a devastating finishing burst, flying up the inside before drawing clear to win by four lengths from Blastoff Music in second. The time was 28.97 .20s.