'Bullring Bailey' and 'Typical Toast' impress in semi-finals
THE SEMI-FINALS of the Red Mills 600 were the feature on Thursday night's card, races eight and nine, and the first was a cracker as 'Lightning Liam' set the pace.
'Ballina Bob' challenged strongly at the third bend and off the last bend before 'Bullring Bailey' put in his decisive run to the line to score snugly in the end from 'Lightning' in 33.25. 'Bullring' is owned by Laurence Corcoran (Co. Carlow) and was scoring for the 16th time from 33 runs.
The second semi saw a runaway winner when (res. M) 'Typical Toast' led and ran right away from his field to score by nine lengths for owner Michael Malone (Co. Kildare). This was his first win from seven runs.
The other qualifiers were (res. O) 'Morton Mercury' and 'Ballyverry Lee', and this Thursday night's final promises to be a very compettive race.
The second round of the Pettitt's A3\A4 Sweepstake continued also with the second round races, one to six . Heat one went to the impressive 'Lemon Ashton' who led from trap to line to score by seven and a half lengths in a fine 28.90 for owner Richard Walsh Jnr. (Wexford).
Heat two saw 'Ballarue Crash', owned by Breda Kennedy (New Ross), take advantage of crowding at the first to slip through to lead at the second bend and go on to score by one and a half lengths from the unlucky 'Lord Black' in 29.68.
Heat three went to 'Compass Bernie', owned by Helen Wadsworth (Midleton), having her fourth run since July 12. She led and ran out a two and a half lengths winner in 29.15.
'Ashwood Finbarr', owned by Hughie and John Doyle, scored a nice win in heat four when coming through to score by two and a half lengths in 29.45. Heat five saw the James Walsh-owned and Patrick Whelan-trained 'Soda Water' come with a powerful finish to beat leader 'Black Dynamo' by a length in 29.18.
Heat six saw a close finish, with 'Oulart Lee' getting the better of 'Humble Power' on the line for the Poc Syndicate (The ballagh) in 29.46. The seventh race, an A4, saw an easy win for 'Tyford Lily' who ran out a clear seven and a half-length winner in 32.35 (575) for owner Mairéad O'Gorman and Olivia O'Gorman.
The tenth race went to the John Kehoe-owned ' Amazing Blaze' who scored by three lengths from 'St Mullins Pride' (res. U) in a good 29.04.
MONDAY, JULY 19
The Up The Deise Unraced Sweepstake, heat one: Rockside Jono, owner Martin Monaghan, 29.83.
Heat two: Johnnies Buddy, owner Patrick Sheil. 29.50.
Heat three: Beacon Mike, owners Emma and Tommy Morris, 29.67.
Heat four: Barnacrow Boss, owner Frank Gavin (Naas), 30.12.
The Christy Doyle Memorial A2\A3 Stake first round, heat one: Martinova, owner Philip Moorhead, Enniscorthy, 28.90.
Heat two: Clonroche Lark, owner John Kehoe, 28.90.
Heat three: Garryglass Ralph, owner William Ramsbottom (Portlaoise), 28.90.
Heat four: Compass Honey, owner Helen Wadsworth (Midleton), 29.01.
Heat five: A Blonde Tail, owner Michael Gordon (Enniscorthy), 29.18.
Heat six: Metric Daisy, owner Larry Byrne (Enniscorthy), 29.28.
Race eleven (A3): Elusive Joe, owner Phil Ryan (Carlow), 31.58.
