TRAPRISE - Moon secures rapid reward at Mullingar

Settling down for another competitive racing campaign in 2023, this season presents a new challenge for Ballingarry handler Michael Rafferty following the passing of his mentoring dad John, but returning a poignant first winner for the year at Mullingar on Saturday, Indian Moon (Droopys Sydney-Ardevan Jewel) quickly rewarded new owners when doubling her win tally in the Connect 6 A5 525.

Purchased by Michael Rafferty and Martin McLoughney following her most recent victory at A5 level over 525-yards, the March 2021 pup contested under the same conditions at the midlands venue this time and despite breaking just behind the pace from trap 4, advanced to lead on the approach to the opening bend when displaying sharp early dash. A length to the good while tackling the turns, Indian Moon defended that same margin to the closing bends and seeing out the trip in strong running manner, registered a one and a half-length verdict while improving to 29.84 (-60).

That winning time will see her rise to A3 next time but clearly progressive while happy in her new surroundings, Indian Moon can be fancied to ably cope at that level.

It had been hoped to report on local success in sweepstake finals at Limerick on Saturday, but out of luck in that regard, the kennels of John Byrne did atone when returning a smart winner on the Dock Road as Jessica Reddan & Dominic O’Brien’s Taylormade Art (Magical Bale-Patterdale Lena) claimed the fifth win of her career in the Connect 6 A2 525.

Blessed with smart early pace at the standard trip, the September 2020 whelp went close at the same level last time and would again lead to the opening bend when easing to a one length lead having begun on terms from trap 5. Doubling that advantage on the run to halfway, the Byrne winner would have her resolve tested in the latter stages but unwilling to cede, Taylormade Art repelled all challenges when defending a neck winning margin at the line in 29.36. Avoiding a rise in grade, she can hold every chance for a repeat next time.

Powerful Chance of a double at Galway

Kicking off the weekend winning action for a kennel which remains in sparkling form, the Abigails Syndicate’s Abigails Chance (Grangeview Ten-Clever Princess) further extended his impressive level of consistency at the outset of his career with a third race victory in the opening A4 575 at Galway on Friday within a weekend double for the red-hot Cloughjordan outfit.

A two-time runner-up, the April 2021 whelp has not been out of the trio placings in his seven appearances and relishing this first step beyond the standard distance, contested for the lead throughout the early stages when breaking well from trap 5. Tackling the opening bends with a rival to his inside, the Tina Morrissey trained pup ceded a one-length advantage to that pacesetter at the top of the backstraight before ranging up as a menacing threat on the outside at the closing turns. Again, ceding a narrow lead while charting a wider course to the home stretch, Abigails Chance refused to be denied and rallying in strong running fashion on the long run to the line, forged a neck winning margin in most game fashion. Posting 31.97 (-10), he will now rise to A3 for his next outing but progressive within his obvious consistency, Abigails Chance looks highly likely to plunder further prizes as he continues to climb the grading ladder within a hugely admirable early racing campaign.

Having returned to winning ways with A2 victory at Galway a fortnight ago, older kennelmate Abigails Power (Belles Direction-Geelo Lu Lu) completed the Morrissey double out west on Saturday when a hugely game winner of his A1 525 event.

Taking his win tally to an even dozen, the August 2019 whelp repeated his latest smart break from trap 3 and immediately in command on the run to the first bend, turned with a length in hand of his closest pursuer. Challenged and briefly headed by a strong running rival at the closing bends, Abigails Power appeared beaten entering the home stretch but rallying in most game style, he again advanced to lead close home, posting 29.32 (-10) in a thrilling contest. Chasing a hat-trick next time, the kennel stalwart remains in A2 grade and having scored at this higher level, can obviously hold every chance for the treble next time.

Having claimed a brace of victories in the opening round of the Two Wheel Training Open 575 Stake at Curraheen Park, trainer Pat Guilfoyle would see both Magical Mary and Scagletti taste defeat at semi-final stage on Saturday but pleasingly filling a qualifying third in their respective heats, the kennels will be doubly represented in this week’s Cork showdown.

With both suffering bumping and crowding, Magical Mary (Droopys Jet-Mystical Moll) was first to advance when chasing home Ballyhimikin Leo at a five-length deficit in 30.94 but having posted 30.87 in victory a week earlier, remains a major player ahead of the final.

Crowded in the early stages of his semi-final having posted 30.86 in the first round, Scagletti (Magical Bale-Outdoor Roller) suffered early crowding when four lengths adrift of Churchtown Syd in 31.24 but clearly, he too can have big say in the final. However, ideally drawn on the rails this time, Magical Mary is the choice for final glory with a more straightforward task than her travelling companion in trap 3.