STONEPARK BROWNE KICK-STARTS TREATY CUP DEFENSE

Peter Farrell

Aside from the TIME Club Derby action, the opening-round heats of the €5,000-to-the-winner West Limerick Treaty Cup Open 350 will also feature on the card, with Stonepark Browne returning in a bid to defend his crown.

Michael O’Donovan has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign to date, landing the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, the National Produce Stakes and the Race of Champions. He will now set his sights on another big prize over the coming weeks, spearheaded by one of the country’s leading sprinters, Stonepark Browne.

Owned by Michael Sean O’Dwyer, the son of Malachi produced a blistering display in the early rounds of this competition last year and looks primed to launch his title defence in style. Set to line out in the final heat, Stonepark Browne is housed in trap three and, on paper, faces a notable drop in class. He should prove difficult to oppose if trapping on terms. Heathlawn Storm and Tally Ho Rose both possess plenty of early pace and could ensure a competitive opening exchange, but Stonepark Browne is ultimately expected to have too much quality when it matters.

The opening heat of the night may provide Lucy Roche’s Coolowen Atom with an ideal opportunity to progress. Drawn in the coveted red jacket, the daughter of Koblenz boasts solid Tralee form and can make full use of her inside berth. Tiermana Hunter drops back in trip and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the two-bend test, while Patrick O’Connor’s Ballyverry Paris appeals as one open to significant improvement. A repeat of his impressive 18.71 qualifying trial around Shelbourne would put him firmly in the mix.

Heat two could see Tiermana Dream continue his winning ways for Colm Fitzgerald and the Zero-Zero Syndicate. The brindle son of Ballyhimikin Jet has established himself as a prolific two-bend performer and rates among the principal threats to Stonepark Browne’s outright title hopes. Drawn in trap five, he faces what appears the most competitive heat on the card, with Portrush Ben among those expected to pose a serious challenge. However, Tiermana Dream has shown an affinity for Limerick in the past and may have enough in hand to come out on top.