BEN BEATS BROWNE IN FAYPOINT SEAN TREATY CUP SEMIS

Peter Farrell

On what was a very busy night at Limerick, the semi finals of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup also featured and there was an upset on the cards in the opening semi as Stonepark Browne was handed defeat at the expense of track specialist Highview Ben.

Having broken the track-record one-week prior, Stonepark Browne was understandably installed as the 4/6 favourite, however, the trap draw looked to throw a spanner in the works and certainly left the door open for a potential upset. Highview Ben, in contrast, was available at big odds of 5/1 and he returned to his very best form to emerge a worthy winner for Paraic Campion and the V-H-R Syndicate. Drawn in three, ‘Ben’ was on the receiving end of an electric start from his middle berth and he held off the improving Stonepark Browne on the run to the opening bend. With ‘Browne’ now where he wanted to be on the rail, Highview Ben (Pat C Sabbath - Highview Ivy) chopped off his rival at the opening bend and this proved crucial as he showed all of his middle distance speed to stay on strongly on the run for home. Crossing the line a comfortable two length winner over Stonepark Browne, the time was a rapid 18.52 and Petshop Farewell claimed the final qualifying position a further four and a half lengths back in third.

ANOTHER EXILE VICTORY

In the second semi, Road Exile sealed an incredible thirty-fourth career victory as he led home a one-two for Pat Buckley.

Now into veteran status, Road Exile continues to hold position as one of the leading speedsters in the land and he R.A Colwell’s charge went to traps as a 5/2 chance in a red-hot second semi. In truth, it proved a routine success for the son of Droopys Sydney - Trusted Exile as he powered from trap six to make every yard of the running. Despite being briefly challenged by Healys Legacy on the run to the opener, ‘Exile’ swooped the bend to hold a one length lead between the bottom two corners. Thereafter, there was never any doubt surrounding the result given he is equally astute over the standard trip and the brilliant brindle flew home to record a two length win over kennel companion, Southwind Wild, in second. The time final qualifying position went the way of Onthe Run Ollie as the clock stopped in 18.58.

The draw for the final of the Faypoint Sean @ Stud Treaty Cup Open 350 was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - STONEPARK BROWNE

T2 - ONTHE RUN OLLIE

T3 - HIGHVIEW BEN

T4 - SOUTHWIND WILD (M)

T5 - ROAD EXILE (M)

T6 - PETSHOP FAREWELL (W)