TRAPRISE - Five Alley Stars over 600 at Limerick
The most in-form runner on the local racing scene of late, Paul Hogan’s Five Alley Star (Kinloch Brae-Vinneys Beauty) further enhanced her growing profile when turning attentions to Limerick on Saturday for the opening round heats of the Talking Dogs A3 600 Yard Stake, completing a hat-trick of wins at three separate venues!
Having advanced to Open class for staying events in a career best at Galway in late December, the August 2021 whelp was victorious over 525-yards at Newbridge last time out and with only a small upgrade for her first spin around Limerick, fully appreciated the extended four-bend trip on Saturday.
Breaking smartly from trap 2, the Hogan starlet galloped her way to a one length lead with command of the rails at the opening bend. Retaining full command of the race with her powerful gallop along the backstraight, a persistent rival closed to her tail before tackling the third turn but never likely to be contained while certain to stay stoutly, Five All Star eased clear in the closing stages for a snug three and a half-length victory in 32.80.
The fastest of three heats, she holds obvious claims ahead of semi-final stage this coming Saturday and has now taken her win haul to six, ensuring a rise to A1 grade following completion of the event.
Also on Saturday, the concluding act on the Galway fixture delivered a third race win for Vincent McKenna & Eddie Kennedy’s Lisk Robin (Skywalker Logan-Heathlawn Molly) when back to winning ways in dominant fashion.
Last successful in A4 grade, the McKenna trained November 2020 whelp was back in an ideal trap 1 draw for the Slán Abháile A3 525 and breaking sharply, immediately took command of the race. Displaying much the best early pace, she tackled the opening bend with near three lengths in hand. Stretching further clear on the run to halfway with the verdict all but settled, the Borrisokane kennel stalwart never sighted a rival. Striking the line with six and a half lengths in hand, Lisk Robin posted 29.17 (-10) and will now rise to A2 for the first time following this career best performance.