VINNIE QUICKEST IN EAMON GLEESON MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

It was a busy night at Clonmel on Friday, with the semi-finals of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial 525 taking place alongside the opening heats of the 1XBET A1/A2 550.

In the Eamon Gleeson Memorial A4/A5 525, it was Blueway Vinnie who set the standard as he built on a fine opening-round victory for joint owners Michael Ryan and Thomas O’Neill. Clocking 28.92 on that occasion, he was sent to traps as the 5/4 favourite and, while the sectional clock would suggest he didn’t break as fluently this time around from trap two, he still managed to comfortably assert on the run-up. Holding a two-length advantage over Foxrock Cooper entering the back straight, the son of Dromana Bucko - Tullovin Vita was never under any serious pressure as he maintained a powerful gallop to cross the line two and a half lengths clear of Triangle Musashi, who again caught the eye when finishing strongly to claim second. The final qualifying position went the way of Emers Mabel, with the winner stopping the clock in 28.94.

In the second semi-final, Colligan Clara (5/2) shed her maiden tag for Adam Dunford and Willie Browne. Another who had been catching the eye in defeat in recent starts, the daughter of Jacktavern Gem - Tory Abbie was only moderately away from trap five but just nipped around in third as Pops Sophie headed proceedings early on. The lead changed hands on multiple occasions thereafter, but it was ‘Clara’ who arrived just in time for connections as she crossed the line a head clear of Candy Froma Baby in second. The fast-finishing Soft Mint claimed the final qualifying position, with the time 29.33.

QUEUE QUICKEST IN 1XBET ACTION

In the opening round of the 1XBET A1/A2 550, Orderly Queue set the standard for Liam Cahill and Tony Lacey.

A September ’24 son of Koblenz - Tory Aria, Orderly Queue was seeking a maiden victory for connections but meant business from the outset, breaking best of all from trap three to dictate on the long run to the opening bend. In doing so, the 4/5 fancy set a powerful gallop down the back and emerged a comfortable winner, crossing the line three lengths clear of Squinty Maginty in second. The time was a slick 30.03.

Next best on the clock was Uisce Beatha in the concluding heat for the Blue-And-Gold-Racing-Syndicate and Maurice Organ. Bidding for a fifth career victory, the son of Jaytee Taylor - Luna Rocket was installed as the 5/4 favourite and he too broke well from trap one to lead his rivals into the opening bend. In doing so, he took a slender lead into the back straight from Foxrock Laura before putting his foot down at the midway point and extending his advantage to three lengths. Holding a solid lead throughout, ‘Beatha’ stayed on stoutly thereafter to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Foxrock Laura in a time of 30.12.

Sandwiched between those winners was Kevinsfort Trump in heat two, who continued his upward trajectory for Peadar Kinane and Paraic Campion. Drawn in one, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Kevinsfort Tiger was sent off as the 5/4 favourite and, despite being challenged on the run-up by both Jaytee Dallas and Kildonogue John, he nudged his rivals aside at the opener to take control. Holding the inside line, he proved a tough nut to crack for Jaytee Dallas thereafter, resisting the challenge of Paul Hennessy’s runner to cross the line with two lengths in hand. The time was 30.14 and this tracker is turning into something of a winning machine after notching a seventh victory from just 15 starts.