NO MARGIN FOR ERROR IN PRODUCE STAKES SEMIS
Peter Farrell
Graham Holland accounted for fifty-percent of the opening round winners in the Carrick Aldo @ Stud National Produce Stakes last weekend and the action continues later tonight with three red-hot semi finals where just the first two will advance into the feature in one weeks’ time.
All eyes were on Faypoint Ranger in the opening round as the Con & Annie Kirby winner made his first start since capturing gold and despite a far from straightforward assignment, he eventually breezed to an impressive victory. Posting 28.81 on that occasion, the clock was irrelevant as he overcame a slight stumble at traprise to showcase his incredible early speed and take charge. Drawn to run from trap five in the opening semi tonight, he can ill-afford any slip-ups from a trap he has yet to race from in his short career, however, he should have too much for his rivals if bringing his A-game to the table and he is impossible to oppose as a result. Of his main rivals, the rapidly improving Flashing Saffron must be respected. Trained by Pat Buckley, the soon to be English raider has won her last four starts and she too displayed massive early dash last time out to win in 28.42. Indeed, her sectionals suggest she will lead once again in this contest, however, another ping break is required if she is to outgun Faypoint Ranger to the turn. The daughter of Grangeview Ten is without doubt improving at a rate of knots and it could make for a thrilling buckle should the two break level. Fun In the Run occupies the wide berth in six and Michael Malone’s charge remains a potent threat despite going a little off the boil in recent starts. A moderate start saw him forced to settle for second last time out and he will need to return to his Kirby form in order to land a blow here. Of the other, Blastoff Heffo landed his first round contest, however, will need to once again step-up, while both Burgess Hazel and Certificate caught the eye in defeat last weekend but this is another rise in class.
MAINOO TO SCORE
The second semi final looks the most modest of the three on offer and Bartlemy Mainoo is the selection after an impressive performance in behind kennel companion, Faypoint Ranger, last time out.
On that occasion, Bartlemy Mainoo was giving Faypoint Ranger all he wanted for the majority of the contest, before checking-up yards before the winning line and surrendering second place. That said, one suspects that the son of Premier Fantasy could get loose from a plumb draw in trap one later tonight and he will certainly prove a tough nut to crack if doing so. Of his rivals, kennel companion Snazzy Boss was just two lengths shy of Flashing Saffron last time out and he looks certain to receive a clear passage in six. The son of Pat C Sabbath can break better than his 2.94 sectional reflects and he will have plenty of supporters on track. Elsewhere, Braveheart Bambi was an eye-catcher when finishing fast to dead-heat for second last time out. Pat Buckley’s bitch will once again hope to cling onto coattails before arriving late. Blastoff Ricky, Tetra Destiny and Bandit Paddy, meanwhile, will also have to produce career best efforts if they are to make the frame.
BRAVER GETS THE VOTE
The third and final semi final is stacked, however, preference goes to Jennifer O’Donnell’s Born Braver, who showed exactly what he’s about last weekend.
Born Braver was expected to take some stopping in his opening round contest and although headed early on, the son of Here Comes Syd showed his brilliance to come from off-the-pace and win in 28.38. While this is a red-hot contest, the penny seems to be dropping for O’Donnell’s charge and he is perfectly housed in trap three in his quest to seal a hat-trick tonight. Of his several dangers, Ballinveala Bolt was also hugely impressive last weekend when posting 28.46. He has been rewarded for that performance with another prime draw in trap one and he will hope to make-all in similar fashion to last Friday night. In a contest that the break will prove of utmost importance, Rural Ana, who was the fastest on the clock last weekend, is another with strong claims. Also trained by Graham Holland, the daughter of Pestana was the ultimate professional when pinging out to win by over seven lengths on that occasion and she will hope to reproduce that exit in the hope of getting across both Born Braver and Ballinveala Bolt in the early yards. Not to be ruled out, Lemon Joey remains a leading fancy for outright glory. The son of Ballymac Best had no answer to Ballinveala Bolt in his opening round assignment, however, he is a different greyhound when on the bunny and make no mistake, he could dip under 28.10 with a solo passage. Indeed, the brilliant brindle is perfectly housed in six and he could prove a thorn in the side of the aforementioned trio tonight. Outside of that quartet, it's fair to say that Sawdust Chaps and Lady Farrah do have it all to do in order to qualify, however, given that Lady Farrah in particular posted 28.59 in defeat last time out, that points to the calibre of this contest.