LAYLA & CHILLI LAND CLONMEL SWIFTRACK SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the Swiftrack BC Ltd Unraced Bitch Stake took place at Clonmel on Friday night and it was Quivers Layla who went one better than her runner-up finish in round one, posting the quickest time of the two semis.

Trained by Adam Dunford for PJ and Linda Sugrue, Quivers Layla may have had to settle for second place on debut, however, she was eye-catching in defeat, finishing fast to get within two lengths of the eventual winner. On this occasion, however, ‘Layla’ wasn't to be denied as, despite shipping an early bump from trap four, the May pup once again showcased her power from the three-quarter mark. Sent off as the 6/4 second favourite behind Poppys Delight, Quivers Layla didn't break too fluently and had some five lengths to bridge entering the back straight as Benalmadena Anna set the pace. However, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout – Quivers Safari quickly began to eat into the deficit and stormed past the leader between the bottom two bends. Thereafter, it proved a procession for Quivers Layla as she stayed on strongly to record an emphatic seven-length victory in 28.92.

CHILLI FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH

In the second semi-final, Tyrap Chilli maintained her unbeaten start to her career with another strong-running performance for the K&A Syndicate.

A winner on debut in 29.40, she was one of the outsiders of the field at odds of 3/1 and looked to have plenty on her plate early on after a sluggish exit from trap six. However, much like Quivers Layla, the daughter of Grouchos Duke – Tyrap Magic began to get to work at the halfway mark and showed a serious turn of foot to bridge an eight-length deficit. Rallying Ruby had led for the majority of the contest, but Tyrap Chilli was in overdrive late on and duly powered past her rival up the home straight to cross the line two lengths clear. The time was 28.95.