JACKTAVERN TURNS ON THE TURBO IN JOHN WHITE MEMORIAL ACTION
Peter Farrell
While the Rural Kennels Unraced heats took centre stage at Clonmel last night, the undercard also delivered some superb racing in the John White Memorial 525 and the Sporting Press Online Edition A1/A2 550.
With the Pillar Syndicate already showing they hold a strong hand in the Rural Kennels Unraced, they will also be targeting the John White Memorial A3/A4 525 with the impressive Jacktavern Turbo. A winner of his opening-round heat in a swift 28.68, he shaved several lengths off that performance with another dominant display in heat one, coming home on his own to post a sizzling 28.38.
Understandably installed as the 1/2 favourite after last week’s performance, Jacktavern Turbo was perfectly pitched in the red jacket and he made his intentions felt from traprise, showing tremendous early speed to battle it out with Slanestownbailey on the run-up. While the latter stuck with his rival early doors, he had no answer to the David Byrne-trained ‘Turbo’ down the back as he stretched out in superb style, opening a six length advantage in the process. Stopping the sectional clock in a slick 16.11, there was no catching the son of Droopys Sydney - Queen Lilly and he never relented in the closing stages, comfortably seeing off the staying-on Mystical Ranger by six lengths. The time was a smart 28.38, the second fastest of the night behind Jacktavern Alf.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR KNEE
Heat two saw Mind Your Knee complete back-to-back wins in the stake for Paraic Campion and Vincent O’Keeffe.
Just a May ’24 brindle, Mind Your Knee continues to trend in the right direction and the 4/7 chance was like a coiled spring at traprise, bolting from trap three to immediately seize control. In doing so, the son of King Sheeran–Hollyhill Debbie set a blistering gallop down the back straight, with Carrigmore Finn and Taylors Tipple giving chase. However, as the latter drifted wide at the penultimate turn, Mind Your Knee quickly extended his advantage to underline his superiority. Crossing the line five and a quarter lengths clear of Cloughtaney Joy, the time was a solid 28.81.
BURGESS DOUBLES UP FOR CAMPION
With Paraic Campion already on the scoresheet in heat two, the handler was again represented by Burgess Bonnie in heat three, further underlining a kennel very much in form heading into the new season.
Jacktavern Beaut was sent off the even-money favourite, but Burgess Bonnie had other ideas as the 6/4 chance pinged the lids to lead from the outset. The JJ Fennelly-owned runner posted a rarely seen 2.75 sectional, opening up a healthy advantage into the back straight. Whitegate Pest gave chase and applied pressure at several stages, but ‘Bonnie’ showed tremendous determination to repel the challenge. A daughter of Deerjet Sydney–Burgess Rapid, she maintained her momentum with a rapid 16.11 sectional to cross the line one and a half lengths clear of the eye-catching Whitegate Pest. The time was 28.76.
DEAD-HEAT DRAMA
The concluding second-round heat produced a thrilling dead-heat, with Florican Heights (Dorotas Wildcat–Cruel Intentions) and Arrow Twirl (King Sheeran–Annual Review) inseparable at the line.
Owned by Matthew Murphy, Florican Heights held the advantage for much of the contest, flying from trap three to dictate the early pace. Arrow Twirl, owned by Andrew Lawlor, was sluggish at the start and initially faced a stiff task, but she came to life down the back straight, producing a powerful burst to close rapidly. Although Florican Heights still appeared in control turning for home, the margin evaporated in the closing yards and the judge was unable to split the pair. A dead-heat was declared, with the clock stopping at a fast 28.81.
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BUCKO SETS THE SPORTING PRESS STANDARD
The remaining four races on the card saw the four first round heats of the Sporting Press Online Edition A1/A2 550 take place and it was Canavour Bucko that set the standard.
Trained by Pat O’Connell for joint owners John and Mark Lyons, Canavour Bucko trailed the field home in his last outing, however, he returned to his best in heat two to win with plenty in hand. Taking control on the run-up to showcase some exceptional early speed, the son of Dromana Bucko - Parkview Trudy opened a big gap at the halfway mark and he pressed home his advantage to win by eight and a half lengths, in 30.14.
In other heats, Mister Myles claimed a ninth career success for the Clonmel-Five-Syndicate as he came from off-the-pace to score by a half length. A very consistent tracker, the son of Burgess Bucks stopped the clock in 30.31. Heat three saw Haughty Syndie win for the third time in her career as she showed the best of the early pace to slip through at the opening bend. In doing so, the strapping daughter of Droopys Sydney - Droopys Alice crossed the line one and a half lengths clear in 30.52. The concluding heat saw Sure Exile showcase his strong-running abilities for owner Andrew Lynch. Chasing a third win from eight starts, the son of Broadstrand Bono - Glowing Exile picked up the baton approaching the penultimate turn before seeing off The Other Robyn by one and three parts of a half lengths. The time was 30.32.