MORE STUNNIG DISPLAYS AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Coolavanny Poppy, Crafty Bondi and Fairy Footsteps all maintained their unbeaten career record in the second round of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525 at Newbridge on Friday night.

All three were simply brilliant in their respective heats, further signalling that they could be destined for the very top.

BONDI SO FLUENT

Crafty Bondi set the tone with a power-packed display in the opening heat. Barefoot On Song went up strongly to set the pace from trap two but it was clear she was under serious pressure once Crafty Bondi slipped around in second.

Despite getting held up on the bend, Peter Divilly’s star entered the back straight within two lengths of the leader. Charging into the third turn, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Bondi joined the leader on the third turn.

Showing real fluency and balance, Crafty Bondi eased past the long-time leader before powering clear for a facile and most impressive four length victory over Barefoot On Song in a brilliant 28.32. Bling Bling Annie was another four lengths behind the front two in third.

POPPY BLOOMS AS SHE GOES FASTEST

Honour of going fastest went to Coolavanny Poppy in Heat 2.

It was clear from her opening round success that better was to come and she delivered in spades. Trained by Pat Buckley for James and Nathan Corden, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Ella broke smartly to dispute the early lead with Fergus Pest.

Showing fine early speed, Coolavanny Poppy was in front by the turn and she quickly opened a decisive advantage. Three lengths clear by the second bend, Coolavanny Poppy was relentless as she shot clear to emerge a hit the third turn in a commanding five length lead.

Rossa Ella, for the second week running, displayed massive pace from the second turn to close in fourth before coming through on the run in to take second. Coolavanny Poppy was in a different league, however, as she ran out a sensational four length winner in a sizzling 28.30. Rossa Ella was a good second with Fergus Pest just a short head away in third.

FAIRY FLIES AGAIN

The Michael Flynn trained Fairy Footsteps looked right at home on the fence in Heat 3, showing plenty of early speed to challenge for the lead before moving on at the turn.

Ravenswood Elsie went up fast from four but failed to get across to the fence.

Instead, Fairy Footsteps railed tightly to assume control. Once doing so, the daughter of Droopy Sydney and Coolavanny Royce displayed real acceleration to open a clear advantage before halfway.

It was decisive maneouvre from the exciting youngster and she eased right away to eventually strike the line six and a half lengths to the good in a rapid 28.43.

Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525

Semi-final draw

Heat 1

1 RAVENSWOOD ELSIE

2 FERGUS PEST

3 BLING BLING ANNE

4 FAIRY FOOTSTEPS

5 ROSSA ELLA

6 CRAFTY BONDI (M)

Heat 2

1 DROOPYS WRIGGLE

2 BALLYDOYLE BABY

3 BAREFOOT ON SONG

4 COOLPEACH ROBYN

5 COOLAVANNY POPPY

6 BALLINABOLA EMMA (M)