EMER LANDS BALLINAHINCH FINAL, VENOM ONE TO NOTE

Peter Farrell

The final of the Ballinahinch Boarding Kennels Unraced 525 at Clonmel on Friday night went the way of the Emer Dunne-trained Scarsdale Emer, who made every yard of the running to provide the young handler with a notable success.

Owned by J. Chorley, Scarsdale Emer came into the decider as one of the leading contenders after an impressive semi-final victory in 28.76. Drawn on the inside, she continued her upward trajectory by making full use of the favourable berth, breaking smartly to repel the early challenge of Marlhill Queenie in trap five. Having secured the rails, ‘Emer’ quickly established a three-length advantage down the back straight and stopped the third-bend sectional clock in a fast 16.29. Marlhill Queenie closed the gap on the run-in and made late gains on the Clonmel hill, but the race had effectively been won at the opening bends. Scarsdale Emer, a daughter of Dromana Bucko and Scarsdale Bella, crossed the line two lengths clear in a good 28.80.

BRILLIANT DEBUT FROM KEPLAR VENOM

Away from the feature final, the opening contest produced a performance of big promise as Keplar Venom made an emphatic winning debut, scoring by an emphatic thirteen lengths.

The September whelp, owned by Denis Ryan, arrived with only modest qualifying form to his name, but he produced a display that suggested far greater potential. Drawn in trap four, the son of Swords Rex and Kepler Fourteen showed sharp early pace before cutting across Head Of State in trap one. From there, the result was never in doubt. Keplar Venom powered down the back straight and into the third bend in a rapid 16.21 before extending his advantage with every stride. Storming clear of his rivals, ‘Venom’ stopped the clock in an impressive 28.65, marking himself down as one to follow.