CHAMPAGNE JET DELIVERS A TOAST-WORTHY OAKS WIN

Kindly sponsored by Tony Teague of Omagh, the final of the Bart Leahy Memorial Brandywell Oaks took centre stage at Derry on Monday night, with Champagne Jet producing a masterclass in front-running to seal the eighth victory of her career.

Adding further incentive to a £600 prize for just two outings, the winner also received a free service to Broadstrand Syd, a valuable incentive that only heightened the appeal of the contest. A wide-open line-up saw Sunnyside Aoife installed as the 7/4 favourite, though claims could be made for all six finalists, with little separating the sextet on the clock. In the end, early pace proved decisive as Champagne Jet rediscovered her very best at traprise, asserting for the majority to run out a deserved winner for Aidan Cullen.

Champagne Jet had long shown her ability, with a 17.94 opening mark around the demanding Thurles circuit underlining her talent. She followed that effort with a series of impressive performances, most notably around her local Drumbo Park circuit. Installed as the even-money favourite for the semi-finals, Cullen’s charge endured a rare setback when forced to settle for second behind the aforementioned Sunnyside Aoife. Seven days later, however, there would be no such mistake. Drawn in trap five, Champagne Jet made every post a winner. Breaking best of all, she displayed superior early pace to command the run to the turn and avoid opening-bend traffic. Shooting into a decisive lead entering the back straight, the daughter of Pestana – Champagne Star appeared firmly in control as Pepsi Drop emerged from the pack to give chase in second. The gap stretched to seven lengths and left Pepsi Drop with a daunting task, though the leader began to feel the effects of her early exertions as she drifted wide off the final bend. The closing stages produced a thrilling finish, with Pepsi Drop making rapid inroads, but Champagne Jet showed admirable determination to prevail by a short-head in 28.03.

Pictured left-right: John McAliskey receiving the trophy from sponsor, Tony Teague, after Champagne Jet landed the Bart Teague Memorial Brandywell Oaks at Derry. Aiden Cullen (owner) is holding the bitch alongside Brandywell Supporters Group representative, Stephanie English.

CONSOLATION FOR LA BRONCE

In the Broadstrand Syd Consolation Final, kindly sponsored by the Dunphy Family of Portlaw, La Bronce showed her class to complete back-to-back victories for the well-bred daughter of Coolavanny Chick.

Trained by Michael Corr for Roy Ball, La Bronce arrived on the back of a smart 29.12 success at Lifford at the weekend and showed no ill effects from her quick turnaround, producing a strong late run to score from off the pace. Old Fort Jingo set the early fractions and held a two-length advantage into the back straight from the 4/7 favourite. However, the complexion of the contest soon changed as La Bronce drew alongside her rival approaching the penultimate bend. From there, the talented April 2024 whelp asserted decisively, galloping clear to cross the line with a length and a half to spare in a fast 28.00.