TRAPRISE - Melody tuned up for Warrior final showdown

It had been strongly suggested in these pages that Leanne Rafferty’s Millrose Melody (Ballymac Matt-Laughil Linda) could score a first victory in the 2021 SIS Fair Warrior 400 at Mullingar when drawn in trap 1 for his Saturday semi-final and validating the confidence, the Ballingarry speedster duly delivered while punctuating his passage to the final with a dominant display.

The Mullingar bookies are clearly not Nenagh Guardian readers as the biggest shock in the semi-finals of the prestigious sprint event was the price of 10-1 quoted about the Treaty Cup champion and Millrose Melody scarcely gave supporters a moment’s worry once breaking on level terms in a stacked opening semi.

The Rafferty stalwart can match any in the business for early dash when offered clear racing room and relishing the long run to the opening bend, repelled the previously unbeaten competition runner Ela Supremo for a tight lead on the inside upon turning.

Reaching the finishing straight with two lengths in hand, his fervent designs on the title were emphatically confirmed as Millrose Melody extended clear of exalted rivals for a dominant five length verdict while posting the faster time of the semis, 21.53 (-20).

The second semi-final went to defending champion Olympic Dollar who will enter the final as the sole unbeaten runner following his two-length defeat of Hattaway in 21.56 (-20) but first bend bumping ended the hopes for a Rafferty brace in the final as Coolemount Boss missed out in fourth.

Final Draw: 1) Millrose Melody 2) Hattaway 3) Olympic Dollar (m) 4) Gizmo Cash (m) 5) Ela Supremo (w) 6) Fiftycashback (w)

The final will of course be a keenly contested affair with the unbeaten defending champion Olympic Dollar ideally drawn in trap 3, alongside blistering 21.26 (-20) quarter final winner Gizmo Cash. A track record breaker in this event last season, Fiftycashback has not been in that form of late but can’t be ruled out from his trap 6 berth. However, from our hugely biased perspective, a path to victory for Millrose Melody can be seen.

Trap 1 suits ideally with so much early pace in the final but matching any in that department, should Millrose Melody find an adept break, defence of the inside rail to the opening turn can suffice for victory as none will gallop to the line as powerfully as the Rafferty star.

Putting on a Show in Leger

Under new sponsorship, the 2021 Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger got under way over 550 yards at Limerick last weekend and setting out in chase of a €30,000 first prize, our local challenge got off to a winning start, but not with the outright favourite as may have been expected!

Amidst a first session of six heats which took place on Thursday, Sean Kenny’s Gunboat Showman (Laughil Blake-Dynamic Trend) was back at a venue which ideally suits his powerful galloping style and following his impressive run to the quarterfinals of the Irish Derby, he ignited his next classic campaign with an impressive victory in Heat 5.

Finding a smart break from trap 6, the wide seed paced up well on the outside of the field when appreciating the long run to the corner and turning in advance of Ballymac Art, the Borrisoleigh star took a one-length lead to the top of the backstraight. Further impressing in the latter half of the race, Gunboat Showman eased clear from the final turn for a cosy three length verdict over Ballymac Art while posting a smart 29.72.

That same Thursday card saw trainer Pat Guilfoyle commence his tilt at the St Leger with Michael Mackey’s Salmic Sunset (Good News-Mystical Moll) and he safely progressed with a pleasing second place finish in a stacked Heat 4.

Breaking just off the pace from trap 6, the Moneygall charge contested second position on the outside of a line of rivals while in pursuit of Ballymac Wild to the opening bend. Bravely holding strong against a bump, Salmic Sunset secured his qualification when a clear second to the backstraight and there was no disgrace in his subsequent six length defeat to Liam Dowling’s superstar winner in 29.61.

There was a further ten heats of the St Leger on Saturday and all eyes were on the brilliant Explosive Boy (Good News-Delightful Girl) as the Produce Stakes champion commenced his campaign in Heat 10.

The Pat Guilfoyle superstar was again installed as a short-priced ante-post favourite for a classic at just 5-1 for the 96-runner event and although making a pleasing beginning, the market topper was made to settle for second behind fastest Saturday winner Part Blake.

A touch unbalanced upon exiting trap 2, our local hope was bested on the run to the bend by the Graham Holland winner and despite briefly forcing Explosive Boy to check while tackling the turns, Part Blake was full value for his two-length lead entering the backstraight. The winner was elevating himself to serious outright contention with a career best performance while extending his advantage to four lengths at halfway and given the subsequent winning time of 29.51, Explosive Boy performed with much credit while reducing the winning margin to a length and a half at the line.

Down to eight heats on a single Saturday card this week, Scarty Yank enters the second round as the fastest runner following his 29.49 score on a Thursday session which produced a treble for Cappawhite trainer Pat Buckley with Glengar Bale posting 29.60 before Derby runner-up Singalong Sally led home 2020 English Derby winner Deerjet Sydney in a 29.61 kennel forecast.

Further highlights from Saturday saw last week’s Irish Laurels winner One Time Only commence his search for further major success with a 29.73 defeat of Storys Peewee while the wonderful Irish Oaks runner-up Scooby Princess claimed a one length verdict over Priceless Jet, posting 29.78 for trainer Jennifer O’Donnell.

Amongst Saturday’s second round heats, Explosive Boy and Gunboat Showman have been drawn side-by-side for Heat 4. In traps five and six respectively, the early pace of the St Leger favourite can conceivably ensure clear passage for both although qualification will be at a premium with Part Blake in trap 4 and the aforementioned Laurels champ One Time Only in trap 2!