SUPERB DISPLAYS AT DUNDALK IN UP THE ROYALS A2

Ian Fortune

It’s fair to say the Up The Royals A2 525 came to life at Dundalk on Saturday night with each of the second-round heats winners going fast, while many more impressed in defeat.

Graham Kelly would have been particularly pleased with his night, sending out Beretta Johnson and Beretta Brandi to record a double, while honour of going fastest went to Sals Sapphire as he posted a rapid 28.45.

SAPPHIRE SHINES BRIGHTEST

Sals Sapphire was having just her second four bend start in the opening heat but her lack of experience was scarcely evident.

The Damian Maginn trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire is certainly bred to be special and she displayed some of her dam’s brilliant trapping ability to lead from the opening stride.

Once clearing the turn, she was never under any pressure and would go on to see off Sling Your Hook by six and a half lengths. Daraghs Surprise was a half-length away in third.

JOHNSON MAKES ALL TO SET UP BERETTA DOUBLE FOR GRAHAM

Beretta Johnson set up the Graham Kelly double in Heat 3, making every inch despite a persistent challenge from fastest opening round scorer Royal Hotshot.

Beretta Johnson was sharpest at traps and led around the turn only for Royal Hotshot to stalk him into the back straight.

The latter would close right up to the third turn and would get within a neck only for Beratta Johnson to kick again. The son of Pestana and Boulevard Mist would ease on to win by a length and a quarter in 28.61. Harryannafreya was nearly four lengths back in third.

BRANDI ARRIVES LATE

The final heat provided the tight finish with Beretta Brandi getting up late to complete the Kelly double.

Robbies Goal set the pace for much of the way but Beretta Brandi was always within striking distance in second.

Staying on well, Beretta Brandi would get up in the closing yards to win by a half length in 28.66 with Robbies Goal second and the fast finishing Mats Meraki just a neck further adrift.    

LOCKSTEP SHOOTS CLEAR

The second heat saw another tight finish with Lockstep holding on to contain the big finish of Frisky Ruby.

Laurence Jones’ Lockstep was razor sharp in the opening half of the contest, shooting to the front on the bend before racing into a commanding advantage by the third turn.

Frisky Ruby then emerged from the pack and closed fast on the run in only for Lockstep to hold on by a head in 28.66. There was a near eight-length gap to Unanimous Xena in third.