SLICK JIM SETS FUTURE STAR PACE

Ian Fortune

Jim Be Slick lived up to his name at Enniscorthy on Thursday evening as he set a strong standard in the quarter finals of the Future Star & Michael Fortune Memorial at Enniscorthy.

Liam Butler’s son of Skywalker Rafa and Notimetotalk had to be on his toes in the early yards as Ballymac Darcia also went up fast but, once turning in front, Jim Be Slick always had the measure of his pursuers.

Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, the September ’20 whelp emerged a comfortable four length winner over Ballymac Darcia in 28.79. Ballymac Run was always third and finished a further two lengths adrift.

CONCORDE TAKES FLIGHT

There was another locally trained winner in Heat 3 with John Codd and Diana Brodie’s Cushie Concorde opening his account in style.

A son of Codd and Brodie’s great tracker Cushie Jet and Tops Beauty, the February ’20 whelp made the fastest start of his career to lead Front Pasha and Tomahurra Robin into the bend.

The order never changed thereafter with the front two pulling right away from Tomahurra Robin. Despite the best efforts of Front Pasha, Cushie Concorde stayed on well to secure a tremendous length and a half victory over Front Pasha in 28.81. There was another eleven length gap to Tomahurra Robin in third.

FUTURE SINGS A SWEET TUNE

Tom Hennessy and Andrew Maloney have a very promising type in the form of Future Tune and the son of Droopys Sydney and Starry Display emerged a good winner of the opening heat despite a moderate start.

Paradise Moldova also skewed out of boxes but soon got racing, while Melling Rod went up fast from the outside box. Importantly, Future Tune got up the inner of Paradise Moldova on the run to the bend allowing him to challenge Melling Road.

Showing fine early speed, Future Tune slipped around in front and proceeded to make all thereafter. Melling Road was never far away but he could never bridge the gap. Future Tune stayed on well to score by a length and a half in 28.87. Paradise Moldova was just three lengths further back.

SCOOBY YET TO SEE A RIVAL

Early speed was again the key ingredient in the victory of Roanna Scooby in the final heat.

Adrian Maher and Robbie O’Neill’s tracker has yet to a see a rival in the competition and that was again the case as he shot from the inside trap before powering into a clear advantage by the corner.

His task was aided by Lola Cracker holding up the big threat, Stefans Rocket. The latter finally shook off the challenge of Lolas Cracker at the halfway point but Roanna Scooby was on his way to a comfortable victory. At the line, the talented July ’20 son of Pat C Sabbath and Slaneyside Asher had six and a half lengths to spare in 29.23. Stefans Rock was second with the fast finishing Dolls Flash catching the eye in third, a further neck back.            

CRYSTAL FASTEST IN PLATE

Elite Crystal was fastest of the four Future Champion & Whitewood Kennel Plate opening round heat winners when emerging a facile winner of Heat 3.

Slipping to the front before the second bend, the Myles Roban trained daughter of Magical Bake and Paradise Summer went on to win by five lengths from Outdoor Ice in 29.03.

NANNY DOMINATES

Coolavanny Nanny improved on previous form to win the opening heat for Garry Dempsey and Noel Browne.

The well-bred daughter of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Perlena led throughout to emerge a six length winner over Ketch Up Sheila in 29.06.

CHAMP WINS WELL

Aussie Champ overcame early traffic to lead from the second turn in Heat 2.

George Roche’s son of Pat C Sabbath and Lemon Juliet continued to make all thereafter to beat Rodgers Pearl in 29.18.

LADY MAKES ALL

The final heat saw St Moling Lady lead early to win the final heat.

Trained by Nick Turner for Mark Jeffers and Mark Malone, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Cloran Tango went on to cross the line four and a half lengths to the good in 29.79.