WELLSTREET CATH AND DALEROAD POPPY SCORE IN OPEN 750

Barry Drake

The semi finals of the €5,000 to the winner Curraheen Park Open 750 took centre stage on Saturday night and both heats produced excellent racing.

In the opening heat, Wellstreet Cath scored for Joe Nash and Kathleen Clifford. Out the back early, the 4-1 shot moved into a challenging position with a lap to go and she made her move on the turns for home, finishing best of all, the powerful winner for the better of the staying on Darbys Dancer, by two lengths, in 42.20. Four lengths back to Timmys Bucks in third place.

In the second heat, Daleroad Poppy impressed when winning for trainer Patrick Guilfoyle and owners Thomas and John O’Keeffe. The 4-5 favourite took control early and in truth, the outcome never looked in any doubt. Displaying plenty of pace throughout, the in form tracker was making it four wins on the bounce. A 42.21 winning run, a length and a half clear of Ardfertmacsarah, with four and a half lengths back to Valhalla Vision.

In the closing race, Trionas Tribe delivered a stunning front running winning performance to win for the Wren-Sull-Walman-Syndicate. The 4-1 winner flew from traps, soon nicely clear, the impressive winner cruised to a comfortable success, in 28.31.(A0).

In the sixth, an A1, Super Syd ran out a brilliant winner for David Harrington and Vincent Browne. The 6-4 second favourite produced a dream start along the inside of the track and once he led around the opening turns, it was game over. Quickening clear on the back straight, it was all one way traffic up front as Super Syd came home clear, in 28.47.

In the fourth, an A2, Ballycowen Conor returned to winning form for owner Debbie Doyle and trainer Dean Harpur. Always prominent, the 5-4 favourite stayed on best late on, posting 29.93, a length and a half clear of Coill Bhui Wow.

In form trainer Kieran Lynch landed an opening race double. In the opener, an A4, Sporting Sambo made all for owners the Onepintomany Syndicate. The 5-4 favourite made all, in 29.03.

The double was completed in the following race, Desert Flower displayed plenty of pace and power to win for the Hold On To Your Hat Syndicate. Flying down the back straight to lead, the even money favourite pulled right away to win in style. A 31.32 winning run in A3 575.

Arclight Jet for Mort Buckley winner of The Rose of Tralee 525