FINE START TO EAMON GLEESON MEMORIAL AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were six opening round heats of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial 525 on offer at Clonmel on Friday night and Bad News set the standard with a brilliant display in the opener.

Early indications are that this stake will take a bit of winning and while Bad News went quickest, there was little to separate many of the heat winners on the clock. The subject of good market support, Bad News went to traps as the even money favourite and Declan Beary’s lady led from trap-to-line to secure a second career victory. Drawn in two, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Beamingboomerang pinged out to lead and just shaded Goldcash Warrior on the run-up. Holding a three length advantage down the back, ‘Bad’ stopped the sectional clock at a brisk 16.16 and while ‘Goldcash’ powered home, Beary’s charge just held on to score. Crossing with one length to spare, the time was 28.79.

The spoils were shared in terms of the next best as both Sole Focus and Tarsna Nico posted 28.87. The first to score was Sole Focus in heat four as Edmund Brophy’s November pup doubled his career tally. Sent to traps as the 5/4 jolly, ‘Sole’ didn't break too fluently, however, showed fine early pace to recover before also negotiating an early bump. Shooting into a clear lead down the back, the son of Droopys Sydney and Gaytime Tilly went about his business in fine style thereafter in crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Seefin Dot in second.

Shortly after, Tarsna Nico emerged as one of the standout performers on the night for Geoff Parnaby. Another installed as the 5/4 favourite, ‘Nico’ set out his stall early with a wonderful display of early speed to recover from what was a moderate start in four. In doing so, trouble in behind saw the son of Ballymac Cashout open an unassailable lead and he remained ultra-powerful in crossing the line six and a half lengths clear of Kerryroad Jessie in second.

Cavies Jet (Ballyhimikin Jet - Cavies Heather) was another that dipped under the 29-second barrier in heat three. Trained by Patrick Barrett for David Healy, ‘Jet’ was well away from his trap one berth, however, was briefly headed by Slimline Doodles, who showed wonderful early speed in trap four. Nip and tuck down the back, Cavies Jet wrestled back control and although challenged all the way to the line, just did enough to win by a neck from Slimline Doodles in second. The time was 28.98.

There were 2/1 co-favourites in the concluding heat and it was Cabra Cooper that prevailed for Billy and Harry Corcoran. Chasing a ninth career victory, ‘Cooper’ took a flyer from trap one to post a smart 2.82 early sectional. In doing so, the son of Pat C Sabbath held all the aces into the back and he never looked likely to be reeled in by his rivals. Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, Cabra Cooper crossed the line one and a half lengths better off than Chaotic Maus in second. The time was 29.06.

The remaining heat, heat two, was landed by Chaotic Panther for owner Peter Hattemore. Chasing back-to-back wins after an off-the-pace victory last time out, ‘Panther’ implemented similar tactics this time around as he justified his 2/1 billing. Despite flying from six, Hattemore’s charge was tapped for early speed and was forced to settle for a share of third down the back straight. However, the son of Pestana soon upped the ante rounding the penultimate bend as he proved much too strong for his rivals in the closing stages. Crossing the line with one length to spare, the time was 29.27.