JOSIE SETS A SCORCHING STANDARD IN LIMERICK A1 OPENER

JOSIE SETS A SCORCHING STANDARD IN LIMERICK A1 OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Limerick Stadium A1/A2 525 dominated last night’s card at the Munster circuit and there was no shortage of powerful displays as Ardfert Kosie set the standard with a terrific performance to score in 28.48.

Carrying an eventual winner’s prize of €1,400, there were just the three opening round heats on offer but it’s fair to say that despite that sub 28.50 clock by Ardfert Josie, the competition remains hugely competitive with many still boasting strong claims going forward.

Jointly owned by Joe Nash and Kathleen Clifford, Ardfert Josie had some fine form in her book prior to last night’s performance and this included an electric 41.99 in the opening round of the Irish Cambridgeshire at the start of September. Stepping back to the standard trip, the Timmy Carmody-trained runner was installed as a 4/1 chance to win heat three but she made her intentions clear early on with a blistering start from trap three. Posting a rapid 1.24 early sectional, Ardfert Josie held a one length lead over Faithful Fred entering the back straight and the latter really put it up to the eventual winner for the majority of the contest. Little to separate the pair, Ardfert Josie showed excellent determination to fend off Faithful Fred and get back to winning ways by two lengths at the winning line. The time for the well-bred daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Dolce Vita was a hot 28.48.

TEN-STAR DISPLAY FROM DROMBEG

Next best in terms of the clock came in the opening heat of the night as Drombeg Ten (Grangeview Ten - Blastoff Khalesi) who justified his 6/4 favouritism to record an eighth career success.

Owned by Evan McAuliffe, Drombeg Ten is a model of consistency and like Ardfert Josie, he rocketed from trap three to post an identical sectional time of 1.24 early doors. Holding a two length lead over kennel companion Drombeg Jake in second, it was all one-way traffic for the brilliant fawn and he drew clear in the closing stages to cross the line with four lengths in hand over Drombeg Jake in second. The time was 28.59.

HYDE PARK IMPRESSES

In the remaining heat, heat two, Hyde Park returned to winning ways for the first time since June with another professional performance.

Jointly owned by Marie McDonnell and Mark Geraghty, Hyde Park was a 3/1 chance at the off and he was expertly into stride from trap three to lead Church St Robbie into the opening. Showing sizzling early pace, the son of Laughil Blake and Brides Honey had four lengths in hand down the back straight and it was Tyrap Ferage who emerged from the pack to give chase. However, it was too little too late for his rivals as Hyde Park, although seeing his advantage halved by the fast-finishing Tyrap Ferage, still had two lengths in hand crossing the line. The time was 28.74.

IN OTHER RACES

In race four, Ruffian Angel made it two wins from her last three starts for Cheryl Sutcliffe. Running from trap two, the 3/1 chance was only moderately into stride but showed exceptional early gears to lead around the opening corner. In charge thereafter, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Honey was never under threat of being reeled in and she crossed the line with three lengths in hand over Barnora Belle in second. The time was 28.75.

Race eight saw a 550-yard contest fgo down for decision and it was Midfield Deano who won comfortably for John Newman and Rachel Wheeler. A strong running sort, Midfield Deano made full use of his inside pitch in three to nip up the inside of Brickfield Cody at the second turn. Setting a strong gallop thereafter, the son of Droopys Sydney and Midfield Diva came into his own in the closing stages and he was five lengths too good for his rivals, in a fast 29.96.

In race ten, Milestone Sivola landed a 600-yard contest in fast-finishing style. Owned by John Carr, the daughter of Belles Direction and Milestone Arya was the 6/4 favourite at the off but she was six lengths adrift early on as Dromana Twirl gave them all the slip from trap three. However, despite having a gap to bridge, Milestone Sivola went into overdrive in the closing stages and she appreciated every yard of the long run home to cross the line with three parts of a length to spare. The time was a quick 32.93.

The concluding race of the night saw a special performance from Cnoc Abbie. A bitch who is capable of producing incredible displays on her night, Michael O’Meara’s runner took this 575-yard contest by the scruff of the neck. Fast away from trap six, Cnoc Abbie disputed early on with Meduza but the former took charge passing the sprint box. From here, it was all one-way traffic for the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Boherna Abbie as she set a scorching gallop to come home with two and a half lengths to spare. The time was an exceptional 31.21.