ZOZO SMASHES CLOCK AS FAIR WARRIOR GETS UNDERWAY
Ian Fortune
At over three years of age, the lightly raced Glendale Zozo made his sprinting debut in only his sixth ever race at Mullingar on Sunday night in the opening round of the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior Open 400 and proceeded to smash the 400yd track record.
An incredible run from the son of Broadstrand Bono and Velvet Lilly May, it will certainly get his owners Alan and Martin Conway dreaming of big prizes, including the €5,000 on offer for this current one, with their hugely talented charge.
An impressive winner over 525yds the previous weekend, he left his rivals standing from the second turn. A good start from four allowed him take over from the fast-starting Antigua Eclipse into the opening turn before he began to extend clear.
Powering up the back straight, he would eventually cross the line seven lengths clear of Leahs Best and Antigua Eclipse in 21.03, taking three spots off the previous best shared by Gizmo Classic and Fiftycashback. While he may be lightly raced for his age, it’s clear to most, the winner could be anything.
EXILE TOO CLASSY
Easily the next fastest was Road Exile.
A proven star over two bends, he flew into the corner to get the better of Scarborough Fair and Born Racer. Once slipping around in front, he extended his lead with Scarborough Fair taking a bump as he checked off the turn.
Road Exile would eventually win by seven lengths for Pat Buckley and Richard Colwell, clocking a fast 21.14. Born Racer was second with Scarborough Fair another two and a half lengths adrift in third. The run of Road Exile, one of the best in training, put real context to the display of Glendale Zozo.
CANNING LOOKS ZIPPY
Paula Hoban’s Zippy Canning (Ballymac Best/ Cherry Lane) justified favoritisms in Heat 2.
Showing fine early dash to dominate from the opening yards. He never gave his rivals a look in as he went on to beat Pavilion Gold and Casemiro by three lengths and two lengths in 21.30.
RANGER RUNS A BRILLIANT BEND
Killeshil Ranger won at odds of 6-1 in Heat 5, running a very good opening two bends to move from third into the lead as they hit the second turn.
Defending champion Pavilion Fire was second into the opening turn behind Hinton but was held up briefly. He would fly home in second but couldn’t get back on terms. Killeshil Ranger went on to by a half length in 21.38 for his owner/trainer Vincent Lynch. Ballymac Deboss was another two lengths away in third.
JET FLIES
James Kerr was on the mark in Heat 4 as Manalishi Jet (Ballymac Best/ Fleadh Ramona) proved too strong for Watch It You.
There was virtually a line of six into the turn with Manalishi Jet on the outside of the field and he ran a great bend to enter the back straight with a narrow lead. Watch It You did challenge halfway up the straight but Manalshi Jet kept going to repel his rival by a length and a half in 21.40. Beechill Breian was best of the remainder, some seven lengths further back.
MONROE TOO GOOD
Shane and Mary Murphy sent out Satelite Monroe to win Heat 6.
A son of Broadstrand Bono and Happy Girl, he took charge into the turn and went on to comfortably see off On the Run Ollie by six lengths in 21.40.
JETARA BACK TO WINNING WAYS
The opening heat saw the one-time star Jetara return to winning ways.
Trained by Ian Reilly for the Brendan Keogh and Simon Senyk, this was an encouraging run from the son of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire, suggesting the talent is still there.
He didn’t fly from traps but did motor into the turn. However, he steered a wide path, allowing Seeking Times to go to the front but Jetara really picked up once straightening up and shot to the front on the run to the line. He would eventually go on to beat the running-on Killeshil Magic by a length and a half in 21.51. Ambitious Romeo was best of the remainder.