Rapid reverse secures Shelbourne final victory
TRAPRISE
Having endured mixed fortune in the semi-finals of the This Runs Deep A4 Tri Distance Stake at Shelbourne Park, trainer Vincent McKenna needed just his solitary finalist Lisk Rapid (Broadstrand Bono-Ballygraigue Sue) on Friday as the Borrisokane handler completed victory in the event with a slick final passage in the €2000 showdown.
Owned in partnership with Tom Bourke, Lisk Rapid had filled his half of a double for McKenna in a brilliant start to the competition on opening night but repeated bumping for the January 2023 whelp saw him forced to battle bravely in his qualifying third at semi stage, while companion Aulton Jim cruelly lost out.
Carrying all hopes to Friday’s decider, Lisk Rapid appeared to have a tricky assignment in trap 3 but having looked assured to stay the 575-yard final distance on the evidence of his strong running previous performances at shorter, needed just a return to his first-round break to reverse semi-final form.
Duly stepping out sharply, the progressive McKenna youngster immediately showed in front and displaying the best early dash, comfortably led to the corner.
Extending while galloping the bends at pace, Lisk Rapid had stretched beyond his two length winning margin by halfway and ably fending off a strong staying rival in the closing stages, stopped the clock in 32.11 (-50) for the third win of his ten-race career start.
He will now rise to A2 grade but clearly versatile over four-bend trips, retains more than enough scope to be a force at that level and beyond.
The Borrisokane outfit will be back in final action this coming weekend at Galway while again double handed in the Upcoming Events A5 525 Yard Stake following a successful semi-final session on Thursday.
Having bounced back to winning ways on the previous weekend, the I Lost My Dog Syndicate’s Hinomite (Ballymac Best-Airfield Biddy) repeated the feat in the opening qualifier when leading throughout a snug third race victory. Displaying the best early pace off a level break from trap 5, the June 2022 whelp scarcely sighted a rival in a three and a half length verdict, posting 29.91 (-20).
Joining her kennelmate in the final following a battling effort through the following heat was Brian Loughnane’s So Its Trouble (Deerjet Sydney-Lillies Supreme).
Beaten less than six lengths in 29.73 (-20) while ceding second position in the dying strides, she will need to lead in the early exchanges this week if she is to reverse form and with a repeat of his smart start, Hinomite is the more fancied of the McKenna pair again this time!
An even dozen for Harry
Thurles patrons are reminded that the venue races this Thursday instead of Saturday but returns to normal scheduling thereafter; a fact that last weekend’s Premier racegoers would have learned while watching James Treacy’s Montore Harry (Farloe Blitz-Montore Sally) take his career win tally to twelve on Saturday evening.
Having signed off last season with A6 victory, the May 2021 whelp had been held on upgrade the last twice when not swift enough from traps to fully utilise his smart early pace.
However, getting to grips with his rise to A4 level, a sharper break in the Heyday Coffee Thurles 525 this time saw the Treacy kennel stalwart ensure racing freedom on the outside of the field from trap 5 and proving much too hot to handle on the run to the opening bend, he scampered to a two length lead before extending yet further while tackling the turns at pace.
Within his typical “catch me if you can” racing style, Montore Harry had extended to eight lengths along the backstraight before his stamina limitations were predictably tested from the closing bends.
With his lead stealthily reduced from halfway by a strong staying rival, a determined Harry displayed ample resolve along the home straight while ably and gamely defending a one length winning verdict.
Stopping the clock in 29.79 (-20), he will remain in the same A4 grade for his next outing where just another smart break will be needed to again slip the field for obvious win claims.