ACTION-PACKED NIGHT AT CLONMEL SEES TOOREEN ROSE LAND FEATURE

Peter Farrell

There were no fewer than ten sweepstake finals on offer at Clonmel on Friday night, with the feature contest being the Gerpats Kennels D2–D24 790, which was won in convincing fashion by Tooreen Rose.

Having chased home Emers Ted in testing conditions last time out, Tooreen Rose (Dromana Bucko – Brickhill Sharon) was noted for finishing strongly and was duly installed as the 4/6 favourite to land the €1,100 prize. Quickly into stride from a plum draw in trap two, ‘Rose’ disputed the early running but was headed by Barnfield Molly early on. The order remained unchanged for much of the contest, however Tooreen Rose, owned by Ronan Hannify and S.M. Rosier, began to turn the screw at the fifth bend before powering clear to score by four lengths. Barnfield Molly held on for second, with Youlldoadeal filling third. The time was 44.53.

THIS RUNS DEEP UNRACED ON2 525

The curtain-raiser saw Droopys Keelin bounce back in emphatic fashion following her narrow defeat on debut. Owned by Michael Dunphy, the even-money chance showed good early pace from trap two to lead. From there, there was only ever going to be one winner as the daughter of Good Cody – Droopys Party drew steadily clear to score by an extending seven and three-quarter lengths. The time was 29.05.

THE DROOPYS STUD UNRACED ON2 525

Spotty had produced an outstanding display in the semi-finals when clocking a 28.92 debut success, and it was no surprise to see Tomas McLoughlin and Adrian O’Neill’s charge sent off at 4/6. Forced to do things the hard way on this occasion, he was only third at halfway, but the son of Ballymac Kingdom – Meenamoynamona made rapid progress between runners to take control between the bottom two bends. He held off the late challenge of Golden Dewdrop to score by a length in 29.20.

PUBLIC TRAINER OF THE YEAR – AARON O’HANLON A2 525

Emers Ann followed up her comprehensive semi-final success for Emer Dunne with another polished display in the final. Sent off the 5/4 favourite, ‘Ann’ was moderately away from trap four and briefly headed by the fast-starting Mustang Havoc in six. That lead proved short-lived, however, as Emers Ann showed sizzling early speed to take command rounding the opening bend. From there, the daughter of Dromana Bucko – Emers Velvet was never under pressure, crossing the line two and a half lengths clear in 28.78.

DOG OF THE YEAR – DANGAN CONOR DUAL-DISTANCE A5

Foxrock Sive set a blistering gallop in the first of the 575 features but was chased hard by Cooga Layla (Ballymac Cashout – Ballymac Tammy), a notable fast finisher in the semi-finals. Tomas McLaughlin’s 5/2 chance made her move at the penultimate bend, breezing alongside Foxrock Sive, who had effectively run her race at that point. Staying on strongly around the final bends, ‘Cooga’ pulled clear to score by three lengths from Highview Laura. The time was 31.77.

SPLIT THE POT S3/S4 DUAL-DISTANCE 325

Roman Emperor and Amorim went to traps as 2/1 joint favourites, but it was the Owen McKenna-trained Amorim who proved too strong. Owned by John Lambert, Amorim was fast away from five and disputed the early running with He Ran Exile on the inside. While the latter held a narrow advantage around the opening bend, Amorim (Ballymac Bolger - Role Model) quickly asserted thereafter, powering up the home straight to score by one and a quarter lengths. The time was 17.71.

PRIVATE TRAINER OF THE YEAR – DAVID HICKEY

Testing conditions proved the undoing of Callaway Danny (Callaway Pro Am - Jamaica Joy) in the semi-finals, but there was no repeat in the decider as Denis Murphy and Owen McKenna’s runner produced a polished display to register a second career success. Drawn in five, the 4/5 favourite shot from traps and displayed sensational early speed to open a five-length advantage into the back straight. While Wilderness Tiger made late inroads, the issue was never in doubt as Callaway Danny scored by three lengths in a fast 28.65.

BITCH OF THE YEAR – POKER QUEEN DUAL-DISTANCE A4 575

Paraic Campion got on the scoresheet in the A4 575 as Boozed Akela (Ballymac Bolger – Road Queen) left it late to land the spoils. Stripe Jimboy set the standard throughout and looked the likely winner entering the final bend. However, the 3/1 chance showed real determination, remaining patient before producing a strong finish on the long run home to collar the longtime leader on the line. A neck separated the pair, with the clock showing 31.83.

MALE OWNER OF THE YEAR – PETE HATTEMORE DUAL-DISTANCE A3 575

Graham Holland was represented by the exciting Annual Kaka in the penultimate final of the night and she built on an impressive semi-final effort with another fine display. Drawn in two, the 4/6 favourite took immediate control at traprise, breaking smartly to make full use of the long run-up. From there, the daughter of Droopys Flytime – Annual Coco maintained a two-length advantage over Illcalluback, never relinquishing her lead as John Wilson’s runner stopped the clock in a swift 31.45.

FEMALE OWNER OF THE YEAR – FRANCES MULLAN DUAL-DISTANCE A2 575

The concluding contest saw Graham Holland complete a quick-fire double as Gaytime Joachim (6/4) shed his maiden tag in style. An eye-catcher in defeat last time out, the son of Roaming Turbo – Gaytime Derval donned the blue jacket and, despite a moderate break, showed immense early pace to take charge at the opening bend. Drawing clear passing the sprint boxes, Brendan O’Connell’s charge pressed home his advantage to record a five and three-quarter length success over Mystical Ranger. The time was 31.40.