KING AND DUKE LEAD HOME A ONE-TWO FOR POWELL AND GILBERT

Ian Fortune

It was another busy Friday at Shelbourne Park and there were some tremendous displays on the card. The feature was the final of the €4,000 RCETS open Unraced and it provided handler Keith Powell and owner Mark Gilbert with a memorable result as they sent out the first two home, litter brothers Southfield King and Southfield Duke.

After two brilliant displays in the prelims, Syd Zafiro was sent to traps the red-hot favourite but he found himself in a precarious position into the corner. Southfield King broke fast from the inside box, while Glenduff Meena was also prominent into the turn. Syd Zafiro found himself searching for room on the bend and it didn’t arrive. He was forced to check wide, causing a melee.

This effectively handed the race to Southfield King. The son of Dorotas Wildcat and Southfield Bea was left clear of Southfield Duke with the rest a long way behind. It was all too straightforward thereafter with Southfield King opening his account on the night that mattered.

Maintaining a strong galop to the finish, Southfield King emerged five lengths in front of Southfield Duke in 28.92.

FLAWLESS HONEY IMPRESSES

Honey Sky has developed into a notable performer and he again highlighted his abilities in the final of the This Runs Deep A1 550. Bill Evans’ son of Droopys Sydney and Traceys Pet was fastest in the semis a week earlier and he made light work of landing the €2,200 prize.

The Michael Donnelly trained star shot from trap three and quickly assume control. Barefoot Awesome turned second and did all he could to bridge the gap but Honey Sky was fluent and relentless out front. In the end, he hit the line some three lengths clear in a fast 29.67 for the 550yd trip.

LIBERTY GETS FREE IN LATTER STAGES

The first final up for decision was that of the Barking Buzz App ON2 525 and Aayamza Liberty followed up her strong-running semi-final display with a very similar effort to land the €1,750 prize.

Kay went up well from five but was headed on the bend by Rallying Girl with Aayamza Liberty slipping around in third.

By the third turn, Aayamza Liberty was second and closing. Taking the inside line off the final turn, Aayamza Liberty made her move on the run in. Trained by Nalin Monerawela for the Aayamza Boys Syndicate, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Aayamza Royale stayed on best to better Rallying Girl by a half length in 29.21.