ZOOM FLIES TO MCCALMONT SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Zoom did exactly that at Kilkenny on Friday night as he raced to a tremendous victory in the valuable Ballymac Anton @ Stud McCalmont Cup for trainer Murt Leahy and owners, the Club of Champions Syndicate.

Early speed was the key to success for the son of Coolavanny Jap and Droopys Dorothy as he made the most of an ideal draw on the fence. Flaminmoneybags also broke fast from trap three but couldn’t contain Zoom into the turn.

His task was made somewhat easier on the bend as Flaminmoneybags clashed with a couple of runners on his outer. Zoom found himself four lengths clear into the back straight. Coolanga Lady was left second but was soon challenged for that spot by the recovering Flaminmoneybags.

Coolanga Lady was back second between the last two bends but there was no stopping Zoom. Despite coming back to his rivals a little on the run in, Zoom emerged a wonderful and fully deserving two length winner of the €5,000 prize in 28.90. Coolanga Lady was second with Flaminmoneybags third.  

POPPY WINS AGAIN

Elsewhere on the card, Magical Poppy made it three on the bounce over six bends to emerge a good winner of the Open 725.

Never far off the pace, the Pat Guilfoyle trained star came through to score by a length and a half from the pace-setting Jaytee Wexford in 41.03. 

SPEEDY HOLDS ON FOR NARROW WIN

The final of the Ballymac Best @ Stud ON3 525 saw the Brian Ellard trained Hello Speedy move to the front down the back straight.

Just containing the late challenge of Teapot Annie by a short head in 29.86.