GOBA & BRAKES ACTION ON OFFER AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

Those venturing to Limerick later tonight will be treated to an action-packed card that includes the semi finals of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525, as well as the opening round heats of the Limerick Brakes A1 550.

Kacies Beauty set the standard on night one of the GOBA 525 and she has been rewarded with a plum draw in trap one in the opening semi final tonight. Owned by Kacie Scanlon, the pacey black posted a fast 28.72 in coming from off-the-pace and she won’t be far away tonight if reproducing that performance. The daughter of Malachi may need to hang on tight early on, however, if nestling into a favourable position entering the back, will look to finish strongly. Of her rivals, Blastoff Fly makes the most appeal after a winning return to action for Philip Buckley last time out. While only posting 29.00 on that occasion, the son of Mustang Jet looks to have plenty up his sleeve and he could dictate from trap five.

In the second semi final, the vote goes to the strong-running Kevinsford Trump for Peadar Kinane and Paraic Campion. Just a September puppy, he made it three wins from just four starts last time out as he powered home to win comfortably in 28.81. He has a nice draw in trap three tonight and he is selected to lead home another impressive opening round winner in Sonsofardcroney. Trained by John Byrne for George Rowan and Eoghan Mulcahy, he too drew clear of his rivals down the back to stop the clock in a brisk 28.78, suggesting he certainly has the scope to go quicker. That said, he faces a tricky draw in five and must avoid traffic on the run-up.

LIMERICK BRAKES ACTION

Elsewhere on the card, the first round heats of the 3,000-to-the-winner Limerick Brakes A1 550 get underway.

In the opening heat, Made To Measure is stepping down in grade for Patrick Norris. He has come up against the likes of Shanahee Boomer and Blue Belle in recent starts and he should find this a more modest contest from a good draw in two. Cracking Cody is another who graced AAO company in the past. The Paul Hennessy-trained runner was eliminated from the Produce Stakes in his last start but wasn’t disgraced on that occasion, finishing just over five length shy of National Puppy winner Shotgun Dez.

Heat two can see Tiermana Hunter get back to winning ways for Colm Fitzgerald and the Supping-Away-Syndicate. A recent finalist in the Connacht Derby at Galway, this represents a drop in class and he has a brilliant draw in two as he bids for an eleventh career victory. Rivals in this contest include Knockard Hero, who is returning after a lengthy layoff, and Smart King.

The last of the heats can see Coolanga Flapjax stake a real claim for Michael Lowry. The son of Airmount Nando has a big engine and will be flying from the halfway mark. He produced a big performance over the 575-yard trip at Clonmel in his last start and he looks primed from a big effort in trap six. His rivals include the improving A Charda for Vincent McKenna in trap five.