Lisk seeks Rapid Shelbourne final show
TRAPRISE
Reaching semi-final stage on Friday, the This Runs Deep A4 Tri Distance Stake had begun in exciting fashion on the previous weekend when the kennels of Vincent McKenna registered a brace of heat victories.
However, the Borrisokane tilt at the event enjoyed mixed fortune and only Lisk Rapid (Broadstrand Bono-Ballygraigue Sue) will contest this weekend’s final showdown following a turbulent qualifier.
A heat winner in 28.99 for the 525-yards, the January 2023 whelp had only just eclipsed his companion Aulton Jim (Ballymac Cashout-Jumeirah Genie) in that opening round as the latter filled the McKenna double in 29.06. Misfortune in the draw-drum would subsequently see the Borrisokane pair drawn alongside each other for the second semi-finals, and they did each other no favours in the early exchanges!
Slowly to stride from trap 3, the Vincent McKenna & Tom Bourke owned Lisk Rapid saw that start matched by his kennelmate in trap 4 and before either were fully balanced, a hefty bump saw them trail all rivals on the run to the corner. Performing admirably to race within three lengths of the lead at the second bend, Lisk Rapid had rivals in his path at every juncture along the backstraight and still led only Aulton Jim to halfway.
The latter looked the most likely to somehow secure a qualifying place thereafter when very much catching the eye entering the closing bends. However, Aulton Jim was cruelly baulked out of contention at that point as a rallying Lisk Rapid did well to avoid yet another clash with his companion while advancing to fourth. Still with a task on his paws while three lengths adrift of third place in the home stretch, Lisk Rapid stayed on strongly and keeping his competition hopes alive, got up for third in the shadow of the post.
Going down by a total of three and a half lengths in 30.63 for the 550-yards, Lisk Rapid remains a big player as the event concludes over 575-yards this Friday where a return to his better break of Round One will make him difficult to contain.
McKenna’s fab four
In sparkling form at present, those heat wins at Shelbourne Park on the previous weekend preceded another double winning achievement for the McKenna kennels on the following night at Galway as firstly, the Patrick Hogan trained Aulton Joxer (Ballymac Cashout-Jumeirah Genie) shed his maiden tag within a remarkable across the cards four-timer!
A runner-up in each of his two preceding starts, the June 2023 pup found an improved start from trap 5 in the Get Your Entries In Early A6 525 and once leading on the run to the opening bend, reduced the race to a virtual solo passage. Displaying pleasing progress in just his fourth career outing, Aulton Joxer never sighted a rival when posting 29.48 (-10) in a nine length verdict.
That Saturday Galway double arrived within fifteen minutes as the I Lost My Dog Syndicate’s Hinomite (Ballymac Best-Airfield Biddy) bounced back to winning ways in the Upcoming Galway Derby A5 525.
Relishing an ease in grade on his return to the Sportsground, the June 2022 whelp began on terms from trap 4 and displaying the best early pace, eased to a one length lead at the corner. Scampering clear to a six-length halfway lead, the McKenna charge did have his lead reduced in the closing stages but full value for a one and a half-length victory, posted 29.52 (-10).
For good measure, the McKenna purple patch was extended yet further ahead of final contention this coming Friday when claiming another double at Mullingar on Saturday.
Completing the feat was Fergal O’Brien & John Farrell’s Doublezero El Eh (Ballymac Cashout-Delboys Cushty) who shed his maiden tag in the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby Starts Next Week A8 525, posting 30.20 (-60) for the 525-yards which followed a highly impressive sprint victory for Offaly Rover (Ballymac Best-Bucks Squeak).
The latter Bill Pardy & Vincent McKenna owned January 2023 youngster set up a hattrick bid next time when routing S5 company in the opening 400-yard contest and a smart prospect for the season ahead, Offaly Rover registered a slick 21.85 (-20) in a ten-length victory.
Positive debut for Mick
The weekend action welcomed a new winner to the local scene on Friday when Padraig O’Lone & Michael Delaney’s Yeah Mick (King Sheeran-Toomevarabigmike) produced a most game performance on his public debut at Kilkenny.
With a middle draw in trap 3 for the McCalmont Cup @ Kilkenny Track ON2 525, the O’Lone trained June 2023 whelp found just a moderate start but pacing up well on the shoulder of an early paced rival to his inside, forcefully struck the front upon tackling the opening bend.
Scampering to a near three-length lead at halfway, Yeah Mick saw out the trip ably well thereafter when containing a strong running rival by a length in 29.96 (-30). A display which strongly hinted at imminent improvement, he may prove tough to contain as he enters graded company next time.