CURLY WITH A SPECIAL RUN AT ENNISCORTHY

    Ian Fortune

    It was no surprise to see some superb performances in the second round of the WGOBA Open Unraced at Enniscorthy on Monday night but there was a true standout display from Sallagh Curly as he left a talented rival standing in the final heat.

    A half brother to classic winner and 2024 Derby finalist Singalong Dolly, Sallagh Curly is certainly bred to be fast but he also displayed real strength in this latest success. Disputing the lead into the turn alongside Badminton Chopin, the Pat Buckley trained youngster would assert as they hit the back straight.

    Badminton Chopin would hang on to his coattails until halfway but Sallagh Curly was relentless up front and began to ease on by the third turn. Powering home, Michael Lynch’s son of Deerjet Sydney and Mydras Dawn would eventually cross the line five lengths clear in a sensational fastest of the year 28.47.

    Remarkably, Badminton Chopin was the second fastest qualifier of the round in second, with Kilrea Cliff just a short head behind the runner-up in third.

    To further highlight the quality of the run of Sallagh Curly, it was the fastest time since his kennel companion Glengar Martha posted the same time in April 2023 and it is the joint fourth fastest time ever recorded at Enniscorthy.  

    LUNA BOUNDS CLEAR FROM FINAL TURN

    The next fastest winner was Bounceback Luna in Heat 3.

    Second for much of the way, she forced her way to the front at the final turn as Boderan Ace took a tumble before powering on to win by an ever-widening lengths in 28.98. Stripe Larry Boy would come through for second and Milltown Paddy third, a further neck adrift. In victory, Anthong Kehoe’s daughter of Grangeview Ten and Mystical Luna, who is closely related to some star names including Unanimous Roxy, Short Grip and Grouchos Duke, would maintain her unbeaten record.

    STERLING FINDS A WAY

    Untold Sterling found a way to win the opening heat despite making a slow start and finding plenty of traffic on the bend.

    The powerful son of Dromana Bucko and Droopys Zero will certainly need to find his landing gear if he is to become a top tracker but his engine is not in question.

    Fifth into the opening turn, he would enter the back straight at the tail of the field before moving through the gears. Some five lengths behind the leader Stripe Jimboy as he straightened up into the back straight, he would race past everyone of his rivals to assert on the third turn.

    It was an incredible spectacle. Once going to the front, he would charge clear to eventually win by six lengths from Stripe Jimboy in 29.03. There seems no doubt he can go over a half second quicker but needs to find his trapping boots. Ballyroe Line was the third qualifier.

    A CRUISE FOR CRUZ

    Robertstown Cruz was perhaps the most straightforward winner of the four when taking Heat 2 from the front.

    Representing Jerry Melia and Sean Harrison, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Midas Fern would strike the front early before going on to see off the staying on Knockduff Duke by a length and a half in 29.17. Sallagh Larry also stayed on well to take third, some three lengths further back.