BABE SETS SEAN O’CONNOR STANDARD ON LIMERICK UNDERCARD

Peter Farrell

While the Kirby action took centre stage at Limerick, the opening round heats of the Sean O’Connor Memorial A1 525 featured on the undercard, and it was Youandme Babe that set the standard for Paul Hennessy and Paul Hynes.

A top-class lady on her day, this represented a drop in class for Youandme Babe, and her 10/11 starting price was reflective of this. Drawn brilliantly in trap one, ‘Babe’ is known for her huge finishes, so it wasn’t surprising to see her occupy fourth position on the run to the opening bend. However, early traffic played right to her strengths as she quickly improved into second entering the back straight, and the daughter of Ballymac Cashout–Jaytee Pearly was to breeze past Kilcolgan John approaching the penultimate bend. A matter of how far thereafter, Youandme Babe upped the ante in the closing stages to emerge a five-length winner over Kilcolgan John in second. The time was a fast 28.53.

The other three heats were separated by just one spot, with Downtothewire, Boozed Bonnie, and Kilcolgan Eddie all prevailing.

The first to do so was the Brendan Matthews-owned Downtothewire, who justified his 9/4 favouritism with a powerful display of finishing power. Drawn in five, the son of Airmount Nando–Million Dreams was out with the washing at trap rise; however, he showed an eye-catching burst of early speed to recover into contention. Now just three lengths adrift in third, Matthews’ charge shifted through the gears at the halfway mark to quickly storm past last year’s winner, Tinahue Pappone. In doing so, Downtothewire only got stronger as he raced to a comprehensive three-length victory over Tinnahue Pappone in second. The time was 28.77.

That clock was matched in heat two, as the Paraic Campion-trained Boozed Bonnie (Deerjet Sydney–Burgess Rapid) edged out Gaytime Teco on the line. A 13/2 chance, ‘Bonnie’ was well housed in one but had work to do as Honeypound Glory led the field into the back straight. Gaytime Teco was also in the vicinity and, in truth, looked the likely winner as he showed huge pace down the far side. However, his stride was halted at the three-quarter mark, and he was subsequently just edged out by Boozed Bonnie, who also finished with intent to secure a neck win for JJ Fennelly. The time was an identical 28.77.

The remaining first-round heat was landed by Kilcolgan Eddie (Dromana Bucko–Razldazl Annie), who was mighty impressive for Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghagan. Drawn in five, Kilcolgan Eddie was closer to the rear of proceedings early on as he struggled to match the early speed of his inside rivals, most notably Frenchford Madam in two. With the 11/2 shot left with plenty on his plate, he duly soared down the back straight while eating into the lead in the process. Up front, space was at a premium for the frontrunners, and this benefited ‘Eddie’ as he coursed around runners before storming home to seal a four-length victory over Jims Gem in second. The time was 28.78.

FLEETING FASTEST IN GOBA STAKE

There were three heats of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 also on the card and this saw Fleeting Moment go quickest for Gerry Holian and the Dream-Catchers-Syndicate.

The subject of decent market support, Fleeting Moment emerged from a level start in three to just cut the nose off of Snuggie Battie at the opener. Quickly manufacturing a five length advantage down the back, the son of Coolavanny Calvn-Fleeting Angel was never under threat thereafter as he ran out a four length winner over Tyrap Malachi in second. The time was 28.66.

The second heat winner saw Paul Hennessy and Paul Hynes double up on the night with Two Chimneys.

It was Tally Ho Rose that pinged out to lead the field early on with Two Chimneys (Grangeview Ten - Me Penny) nestling nicely into second entering the back straight. The latter made his move approaching the penultimate bend but was duly snubbed by the leader as she shut the door on the 9/2 chance. Not to be outdone, Two Chimneys came back for more up the home straight to fly home and seal a one length victory over Tyrap Bubbles in second. The time was 28.80.

The last of the first round heats saw Corona Ryan kick-start a late double on the card.

With Zenith Glory sealing an open race win in the concluding contest, it was the early speed of Sheezatwister that got the ball rolling prior to that. Sent off at odds of 11/4, this lady has electric early gears and she duly powered into the corner in control from trap two. As a result, the daughter of Magical Bale-Swanley Chick, owned by John Edwards, was never under threat as she marched to a two length victory over Ballymartin Neady in second. The time was 28.72.