Curraheen Park report
If Diamond Court’s run at Curraheen Park last night was to be his last for current connections – he’s currently being advertised for sale on the internet – then Tom Murphy’s pup signed off in the best possible fashion as he posted the fastest time of the night when taking the second heat of the Jerry Woods & Pet World A5 Stake.
The son of Ace Hi Rumble and Out Of Court showed pace to challenge into the first turn and he squeezed through between dogs to take up the running. Jims Crash Pick showed fine finishing pace to push the leader all the way but Diamond Court kept on well to score by half a length in 29.23.
Just 15 minutes earlier, Galley June (College Causeway – Express Tune) got the ball rolling with an all-the-way victory in the first heat. Adrian and Evan Kelly’s bitch produced her best break to turn in front and after careering clear down the back, she comfortably held the run of Creamery Panther by a length and a half in 29.37.
Inniscarra Leaf (Galway Mark – Curraleigh Gem) came from way off the pace to take the finale. In last place as United We Stand asserted to go clear down the back, the experienced campaigner was still short of room between the last bends. But he made rapid progress through the pack from that point and his efforts earned a three-parts-of-a-length victory in 29.45.
Carrowkeal Shaw (Black Shaw – Society), which is a blue dog and not a black bitch, as indicated on the card, took the opening race in good style. Kathleen Murphy’s pup moved middle on the run-up but had the speed to turn the corner comfortably clear of challenger Curraleigh Gene. He raced some three clear down the back and never looked in danger as he strode to a 29.36 victory.
Orient Gael (Westmead Hawk – Fairhill Lady), a litter brother to promising sorts Fairhill Noel and Fairhill Paddy, made a very smart start to his career with victory in the second race. In as a reserve in trap one, he raced in midfield early but was noted sticking tight to the rails throughout. In a challenging position between the last two bends, he had to wait for a gap to appear before asserting late to snatch a half-length victory from long-time leader Spur Shaw in 29.72.
Patrick O’Callaghan’s Clonkil Fantasy (Premier Fantasy – Air Force Louise) maintained the perfect start to his career with victory in the night’s only sprint. He finished strongly to make a winning debut earlier in the month but on this occasion he broke best of all and made every yard for a length-and-a-half victory over Creamrycross Jet in 18.23.
Free Cheer (Head Bound – Knockglass Lady) earned his maiden success with a strong-running effort in the fourth. Thomas O’Donovan’s pup was only fifth early but he made ground around the opening bends. Third down the back, he quickened to lead at the third turn before stretching six clear of Bitter Kate in 29.39.
Smokin John Joe (Scarty Lad – Appletown Katie) ran out a clear-cut winner of the fifth race for Michael and John Joe Barrett. The lightly raced June 2010 whelp was a winner on his debut at Limerick back in January and on this the fifth race of his career, he flashed from traps and led all the way for a five-length victory over Stickstown Girl in 29.42.