THINGS HEATING UP IN CHAMPION UNRACED AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
This year’s Kilkenny Champion Open Unraced is bursting with quality and that was certainly evident in Friday’s second round with each of the four heats won in superb fashion.
To highlight the competitive nature of the famous competition, just eleven spots separated the four heat winners on the clock with Montana Shadow and Unanimous Leo sharing the honour of going fastest.
EXCITING SHADOW A POTENTIAL STAR
Montana Shadow was impressive in the opening round, showing fine early speed to dominate in a 28.91 return.
Fast forward a week and the exciting son of Droopys Flytline and Droopys Meteor went even faster despite failing to hit the front until the back straight.
Burgess Mystery went up fastest from trap five, challenged by fastest opening round winner Carrick Scholsey but the Johnny Linehan trained Montana Shadow found himself in the perfect position to strike on the turn after recovering from a tardy start.
Burgess Mystery turned in front, staying close to the fence, leaving Carrick Scholsey with little room to maneouvre. Montana Shadow was able to maintain his momentum on the outside of the front two and he challenged early in the back straight, soon after Carrick Scholsey was forced to check his stride.
By halfway Montana Shadow was upsides Burgess Mystery and, displaying fine back straight pace, quickly moved on. Barry and Martin O’Reilly’s star would ease on to eventually win by two and a half lengths in 28.80. Burgess Mystery was second, while Carrick Scholsey lost little in defeat, staying on to finish just a length further adrift in third.
FAULTLESS LEO
Unanimous Leo won the second heat is more straightforward fashion, showing fine early speed to clear those on his inner before making every inch for Pat Buckley and Ciaran O’Sullivan.
The son of Glengar Bale and Nice Mystery had shown real ability in qualifying before overcoming a stumble at traps in the opening round to qualify.
On this occasion, he made no mistakes, comfortably holding Lookandlep to win by a length and a half in 28.80. Bruce Bay was four lengths away in third.
KAMALA IMPRESSES
While her older kennel companion De Lahdedah was making waves in the English Derby in Towcester, Ballymac Kamala was establishing herself as an exciting prospect in Heat 3.
Despite making a moderate start from the inside box, she displayed fine early speed into the turn to go to the front.
Liam Dowling’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete displayed a willing attitude to get away from those in chase. By the third turn, she had built a decisive advantage and would eventually cruise to a two and a half-length success in 28.91.
After impressing in the opening round, Callaway Five perhaps enhanced his reputation in the second round, coming from off the pace, between rivals, to take second spot. Droopys Melon was third, a further four lengths back.
SIOUX SHINES BRIGHT
Owen McKenna and Peter Comerford will have high hopes for Sunshine Sioux.
An impeccably well-bred son of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire, the youngster made light work of his task in the final heat, showing fine speed into the turn after a decent start.
Once clearing the bend, it was all very comfortable for the promising puppy. Singalong Mick overcame a slow start to move second but Sunshine Sioux would go on to win by four lengths from Singalong Mick in 28.81. Herecomestiernan was best of the rest, some seven and a half lengths further adrift.