TRAPRISE - Kuba makes Magical return at Tralee
A lucrative and highly prestigious two race event at the Kingdom Stadium, three semi-finals in the 2023 Callaway Rambler @ Stud Race Of Champions were the highlight of Friday’s action over last weekend and fastest of the qualifiers while making a stunning return to racing action at Tralee was the Westwell Racing Syndicate’s Magical Kuba (Magical Bale-Impact Miami) for trainer Pat Guilfoyle.
Having his first race of the season following a seven-month absence from the track, the 2022 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial runner-up was drawn in trap 6 for the opening heat and presenting in sharp form, began smartly while tracking the early pace of Octane Cora to the opening bend. Admirably remaining within a length to the top of the backstraight while widest around the turns, the Guilfoyle star ranged alongside that rivalling pacesetter at the closing bends and though hugging the outside rail into the home stretch, Magical Kuba forged a thrilling head winning verdict in a fast 29.51 for the 550-yards.
The remaining heats of the star-studded event were claimed by Ballinabola Ed in 29.73 and Raha Mofo in 29.65 with final victory remaining a tough task for Magical Kuba who will continue on his comeback trail with a trap 6 berth in this Friday’s decider.
Final Draw: 1️) Radical Hero 2️) Octane Cora 3️) Ballymac Samuel 4️) Raha Mofo (m) 5) Ballinbola Ed (w) 6️) Magical Kuba (w)
Given his style of wide running, Kuba is well housed, and it is entirely plausible that there could be traffic amongst runners to his inside. He will need to match his smart start with a supremely talented duo to his immediate inside but anything approaching clear passage will bring every chance of a remarkable comeback victory in the €15,000 showdown.
On a busy weekend for the Moneygall kennels, there was mixed fortunes once again at Shelbourne Park on Saturday and having received scant reward for her brilliant performances in the early rounds of the Irish Oaks with a horrid draw in trap 5 at semi-final stage, Undisputed saw her challenge ended following a slow start before markedly checked at the opening bends behind heat winner Bobsleigh Dream.
Pat Guilfoyle had, however, already secured final victory on the early part of that Saturday fixture at Shelbourne when the Pension Plan Syndicate’s Music Glideaway (Newinn Taylor-Glideaway Magic) completed his brilliant passage through the RCETS A1 575 Stake.
Without a win in six career starts before entering the 18-runner event, the June 2021 whelp had nonetheless displayed huge promise in a smart career start while reaching the semi-finals of the Juvenile Classic at Tralee to commence his puppy campaign. However, the Guilfoyle youngster elevated his form to new heights when a dominant winner of both qualifying heats for Saturday’s showdown with a brilliant best of 31.04 on opening night.
Housed in trap 6 for the final, Music Glideaway began on level terms before again displaying superior early dash on the run to the corner, turning with a strong one length in hand. Extending further clear to the backstraight, he would be forced to repel the strong staying effort of Ranchers Master late on but was full value for his half-length winning margin when posting a slick 31.00. Exiting puppyhood following what was just his ninth career start, Music Glideaway will have all upcoming major events firmly on his radar.
Din dominates at Galway
The Friday fixture at Galway last weekend proved fruitful for local challengers and spearheading a successful evening for the kennels of Paul Hogan, his ownership partnership with Dinny O’Brien enjoyed a third career win for Five Alley Din (Ballymac Best-Annual Tears) when leading throughout the www.gri.ie A3 525.
A dual sprint winner in his early career, the January 2021 whelp had failed to secure a crucial lead in his most recent outings over the standard four-bend distance but an improved start from trap 3 this time saw the Hogan trained winner gamely forge a one length advantage at the opening bend before doubling his lead to halfway. Continuing to repel the threat of strong running rivals thereafter, Five Alley Din displayed ample resolve for a three-quarter length success in 29.51 (-10). Without an upgrade next time, he may well follow-up now back on the bunny!
That winning effort preceded the semi-final appearance of Paul Hogan’s Five Alley Star (Kinloch Brae-Vinneys Beauty) as the August 2021 pup safely advanced to this week’s decider in the RCETS App A5 Dual Distance Stake. Slow to stride from trap 3, she recovered from an unpromising fourth place at the top of the backstraight when third at an eighth length deficit in 30.62 (-10). Open to plenty of improvement, she can remain a factor ahead of this week’s final while sure to appreciate the extra yardage on Friday.
Staying with that same Galway fixture, the night also delivered a highly impressive first career win for Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Murty (Ballymac Best-Geelo Lu Lu) when building in his highly promising debut third to land the Online Entry A6 525.
Clipped from behind when in command off the final turn in his sprint debut, the November 2021 whelp ensured better fortune when breaking on level terms from trap 5 and displaying smart early dash, forged a one length lead at the opening bend before easing further clear to the backstraight. Never sighting a rival thereafter, Abigails Murty completed victory with two and three-quarter lengths to spare in 29.29 (-10).
The Morrissey pup will rise to A3 for his next outing but clearly open to plenty of progression, may well cope with the upgrade.