Homer converts in Byrne Limerick brace
TRAPRISE
With a busy schedule, Limerick was again the source of most local cheer over last weekend and registering a quickfire double at the Treaty venue on Saturday, trainer John Byrne guided the Peadar Kinane owned Kevinsfort Homer (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) to final victory in the Limerick Stadium ON2 525 Yard Stake.
Impressing when scoring on debut in 28.91, the April 2023 whelp took favourite claims to trap 3 on the back of that semi-final performance and again displaying sharp reactions at trap rise, immediately showed in front. With superior early pace once in full gallop along the approach to the opening bend, the Knockalton pup turned with three lengths in hand and never sighted a rival thereafter. Giving game pursuit in behind, Jamie Hogan’s Grangeview Scoob performed with much credit while limiting the winning distance to four lengths but dominant while remaining unbeaten at the outset of his promising career, Kevinsfort Homer improved to a smart 28.91 (+10).
Sparking the John Byrne double in the preceding Welcome To Limerick Stadium A7 525 was litter comrade Kevinsfort Hardy (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) who greatly impressed while displaying the benefits of his recent debut.
Catching the eye on the previous weekend when recovering from a missed break to fill second, he was much sharper from trap 2 this time and on terms for only the initial strides, eased to a two length lead at the opening bend with smart early pace. Readily doubling his lead while turning, Kevinsfort Hardy had put the race beyond doubt at halfway and maintaining a relentless gallop throughout, struck the line with a facile eleven lengths in hand of hapless rivals while stopping the clock in 28.94 (+10).
He will now join the A2 ranks alongside his kennel companion, but both can be expected to ably cope with the step up on the back of highly promising career starts.
King in command for Abigail
One of the stand-out highlights on that same Saturday fixture at Limerick arrived in the Inter Track Betting A2 525 where Abigail Morrissey extended her winning start to the new season with a second career win for Abigails King (King Elvis-Superb Beauty) as part of a weekend double for the Cloughjordan kennels.
Twice a runner-up since maiden victory at A3 level back in December, the April 2023 whelp produced his very best break from trap 4 this time and scampering to the opening bend with superior early pace, tackled the turns with two lengths in hand.
Extending to four lengths when in full command along the backstraight, Abigails King saw out the trip as stoutly as ever before with that same margin in hand at the line while registering a new career best of 28.65 (+10).
That winning time will ensure a step back up the grading table to A1 but just a repeat of his fast start may be enough to make a quick return to the winner’s circle.
Commencing the week on the Thursday SIS fixture at Limerick, the Morrisey double was sparked in the Roma Casino Limerick A3 525 when Abigails Duke (Great Blue Shark-Abigails Sky) took his win haul to double figures in most game style.
Four times a runner-up since last successful back in October, the June 2022 whelp returned to his very best breaking form and immediately putting the pace to the race from trap 4, tackled the opening bends with three lengths in hand. Pursued by a strong running rival from that point, the Morrissey winner saw his lead reduced beyond halfway but admirably resilient in the closing stages, Abigails Duke defended a three-quarter length winning margin in 28.97 and he will return to A2 grade next time.
Saturday provided a further winner to cheer at Limerick when Pat Guilfoyle guided Right Mag (Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna) to her second career victory in the Bet On The Tote AA0 525 while progressing for her latest return to action.
Off the track for over two months before a luckless comeback at Clonmel last time out, this return to Limerick saw the Greg Corcoran owned December 2022 whelp break just behind the pace from trap 1 before tracking favourite Glengar Martha at a three length deficit to the backstraight. Stealthily reducing the arrears from that point, Right Mags gamely overhauled that rival in the home stretch for a neck verdict in 28.78.
With the promise of more to come, she can prove well worth following over coming months.