NEWPORT PIER SETS THE STANDARD IN ROMA CASINO CAMBRIDGESHIRE OPENER

Peter Farrell

After her brilliant 29.44 performance over the 550-yard trip one-week prior, Newport Pier carried her form into the opening round of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 on Saturday night as she ran out a convincing winner to set the standard.

The latest in the conveyor belt of great competitions at Limerick, the Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750 never fails to produce top-class action and it was three ladies that landed the spoils in the three heats on offer. Fastest of those females was Newport Pier, who produced that fantastic 29.44 victory last time out in claiming the BoyleSports Irish Derby Trial Stake at the Dock Road venue. Stepping back up in trip in her bid to land this prestigious event, she looked more than comfortable as she made every yard to bring her career tally into double figures. Owned by the Curtins-Mullins-Syndicate, ‘Pier’ was sent to traps as a 2/1 chance and she bolted from an unfavourable draw in five to lead. In doing so, she was forced to contend with the even money favourite Daleroad Poppy early on, however, she pulled clear of her rival at the fourth turn. Thereafter, the daughter of Droopys Sydney - Cantcallherthat appreciated every inch of the marathon trip as she maintained a relentless gallop to cross the line three lengths clear of the gallant Daleroad Poppy in second. Karacreek Ranch competed until halfway, however, eventually finished a further four lengths back in third. The time was 41.70 on a track rated .20f.

TRADEMARK FINISH FROM LASS

In heat three, Delicate Lass (Ballymac Cashout - Hugh Dream) was just a half-length back on Newport Pier’s clock as Mary Kennedy’s charge built on a fine performance at Tralee last time out.

Indeed, Delicate Lass was seriously eye-catching in her last outing as she came from well off-the-pace to win a €4,000 feature at Tralee and she was to implement similar tactics this time around. A 2/1 market chance, ‘Lass’ once again looked out with the washing from an early stage in this contest as Patrick Guilfoyle’s Fashion Model set the pace out in front. At the halfway stage, Delicate Lass still sat some ten lengths adrift, however, she motored up the inside of Braveheart Bambi to go third and she was making rapid inroads with each and every stride. While Fashion Model continued to dictate around the final two bends, all eyes were on Delicate Lass in second as she ate into the lead and she duly powered her way to the front in the final twenty-five yards. A remarkable performance from this lady, the time for Delicate Lass was 41.73.

BACK-TO-BACK FOR ROXY

In the opening first round heat, Brackile Roxy was another who made it back-to-back wins after landing the Open 750 on Leger final night.

Denis Fraher’s charge was arriving into the competition fresh from a brilliant buckle with Daleroad Poppy last time out and she continued her purple patch as she made it five career wins for connections. The 2/1 joint favourite alongside Highview Laura, ‘Roxy’ was quickly into stride from trap three, however, went up with the traps which subsequently saw her settle for fifth rounding the opener. Up front it was Wellstreet Cath at this point and she continued to set a decent gallop heading past the fourth bend. Meanwhile, Brackile Roxy was recovering brilliantly from her mishap at traprise as she railed tightly to nestle into second. Some three lengths adrift on the approach to the penultimate bend, Brackile Roxy started to rev her engine and she quickly reeled Wellstreet Cath in, before running out a one and a half length winner. The time was 42.08.