WHIT AND BARRY IMPRESS IN McCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

Sober Barry and Carrigeen Whit claimed their place in next weekend’s Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup decider in fine style on Friday night with both impressing the packed stands at Kilkenny.

Sober Barry was sent to traps the 4-5 favourite for the opening heat and was once again ruthless in his efficiency despite giving his rivals a headstart at boxes.

However, the Karol Ramsbottom trained star was afforded racing room in the early yards and he displayed an impressive turn of early dash to assert into the bend. It really was a decisive move from the talented son of Skywalker Barry and Sober Pearl.

Born Ranger flew down the back straight, passing Paulstown Cash and Jacktavern Storm, but ran out of steam to fade into fourth. Instead, Jacktavern Storm stayed on to take second with Paulstown Cash third but neither had any answer to the winner. Sean Malone’s Sober Barry raced to a superb two and a half length victory in 29.09 (.30 slow).

WHIT TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Carrigeen Whit was also very professional in the second heat, although she was forced to work a bit harder with Oriental Prince challenging and briefly heading his rival into the third turn.

Carrigeen Whit always had the inside line, however, and this made a big difference.

Trained by Thomas Buggy for Ann Petterson, the daughter of Ballymac best and Carrigeen Wren went up fast to lead into the back straight only to be joined by Oriental Prince at halfway. The later edged on slightly but Carrigeen Whit was back in front by the time they started to turn for home. Once doing so, Carrigeen Whit powered home to win by an ever-extending length and a half in a standard-setting 29.01 (.30 slow). Oriental Diamond chased home her brother Oriental Prince in third, some three lengths further adrift.

Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup

Final draw

1 JACKTAVERN STORM

2 CARRIGEEN WHIT

3 SOBER BARRY

4 ORIENTAL PRINCE (M)

5 ORIENTAL DIAMOND (M)

6 PAULSTOWN CASH  (W)