2012-04-28 – Curraheen Park Report
The Moloneys of Ladysbridge – father Pat and son Mike – landed a fine family double at Curraheen Park last night through the impressive exploits of litter brothers Old Captain and Heres The Bird.
Old Captain (Ballymac Maeve – Minnies Miranda) was up first and he produced a terrific effort in the sprint. Leeview Express broke well but Old Captain really caught the eye with the pace he showed to master that rival by the turn. It was comfortable from there as he raced to a two-length victory in 17.76.
Heres The Bird was a shade unlucky when picked up by Bold Three in a stake final here recently but that form got a boost when the winner coped with a significant step up in class subsequently. Running in the first semi-final of the Cork GOBA A4 525, he moved for the rails early and quickly asserted. Some six lengths to the good racing down the back, he looked in complete control but he was all out to deny the very strong finish of Come To Papa by half a length in 28.98.
The second semi-final of the A4 stake was a very messy affair but victory went to reserve Sleek Mo (Scarthy Lad – Mohawk Misty). A litter brother to the aforementioned Bold Three, Christy Roche’s dog raced second early but gave away ground running wide off the first bend. Again, he showed big pace down the back and after losing a little momentum at the third bend, he showed his class as he rallied to get up late to deny Myleens Island by three parts of a length in 29.26.
Kingtone May (Droopys Maldini – Kingtone Lilymay) opened proceedings by earning her maiden success at the twelfth time of asking. Paul King’s bitch held a narrow lead into the first bend and she found plenty in front to see off Lahana Zoomo by two and a half lengths in 29.03.
In race two, Mort Cronin introduced a very promising newcomer in the shape of Blazing Benny (Kinloch Brae – Do The Bookies). The September 2010 whelp, whose dam is a half-sister to the Razldazl stars George, Rioga, Jayfkay, Will, Bugatti and Kingo and Makeshift, showed really nice early pace to lead clear to the turn. Rabbits Causeway displayed pace in behind but the leader was strong from the front and he kept on really well to ensure a winning start to his career, by a length in 29.05.
Race four was quite a messy affair in the early stages but Very Significant (Westmead Hawk – Bright Outlook) emerged on top with a gutsy display. Owned and trained by Ted O’Donovan of Clonakilty, she showed speed to lead at the third bend and she maintained her momentum to hold the luckless Supporting Cast by three lengths in 29.33.
Michael Spillane’s Cottonmouth (Shelbourne Aston – Classy Clover) landed the spoils in race five. The bitch found trouble in recent outings at Thurles but she made her own luck this time by showing the pace to turn second. It was as good as over from there and she duly swept to the front exiting the second bend and readily held the run of reserve Lady Belle by a length and a half in 30.58.
Robert and John Hill’s Catacchio (Westmead Hawk – Rettas Jessie) made a very smart debut in the sixth race. After some early trouble in the middle, the race quickly developed into a match between the bitch and favourite Droopys Delfino. Catacchio held a definite advantage down the back and she was all out to hold the run of her persistent rival by a short head in 28.97.
Toumpane Leah (Top Savings – Kabinda) ran out an easy winner of the seventh race for Dave Hannigan of Charleville. The bitch broke very well and led to the bend but she let Valentine Bud slip up her inner between the turns. Renewing her challenge down the back, she skipped clear around the bends to score comfortably in 28.99.
Gurrane Man (Head Bound – Gurrane Beauty) closed out proceedings with a late dash for glory which earned victory in the finale. Kathleen Murphy’s dog raced third down the back and he was moving to challenge for the lead when Rushmoor Honey, who had made most of the running, was very badly impeded. Left clear at that point, he raced to a comfortable 29.03 success.

See Tonight’s Evening Echo for full report from Curraheen Park last night