TRAPRISE - Melody sparks Rafferty singsong in Treaty Cup

Musical terminology when associated with the Rafferty family of Ballingarry would immediately put one in mind of rising Irish country music star Aisling but the North Tipperary kennels were singing to a different tune on Saturday and keeping perfect beat while bounding to victory in the Widdess Fitzgibbon Pharmacy Treaty Cup, Leanne Rafferty’s Millrose Melody (Ballymac Matt-Laughil Linda) timed his Limerick encore to perfection for a brilliant final victory.

Displaying early pace to rival any of the heat winners in the event, the May 2018 whelp had caught the eye despite defeat in both previous rounds of the prestigious 350-yard sprint stake but stepping out of his tricky trap 4 berth with greater aplomb on Saturday, the Rafferty speedster immediately contested the lead with Gurtnacrehyblake and Drahan Jet to his outside. Gradually edging to a one length lead at the opening bend, Millrose Melody skipped clear of bumping for his closest rivals and effectively settled the final on the run to the home-straight. In behind, favourite and Cork sprint record breaker Seomra Nate reduced his arrears with an inevitable late surge, but that star was ultimately forced to cede a one-length victory to champion elect Millrose Melody who posted a fast 18.68.

A kennel in sparkling form all season, this victory delivers due reward for a consistent level of performance over an extended period for Millrose Melody. Just a second Open race victory, that fact belies a stellar campaign within an ultra-competitive sprinting sphere where the Rafferty speedster has been mixing with Ireland’s very best, and such a prestigious victory is immensely deserved for both connections and hound!

Rocket and Jet collide in smashing Limerick novice

Staying at Limerick and the ON2 525 on that same Saturday card saw a brace of local kennels contest victory with pups who announced themselves as talented racing recruits but it was Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Rocket (Confident Rankin-Magical Zeta) who came out on top in a cracking buckle with Eileen Kennedy’s Dixies Jet.

Both September 2019 whelps, it was Magical Rocket who broke best from his Trap 6 berth, but he would quickly find Dixies Jet ranging up on his inside with smart early dash approaching the first bend. Commanding the rails, Dixies Jet displayed some signs of inexperience while negotiating the turns and with Magical Rocket turning from wider out, the pair exchanged more than the odd bump before the Guilfoyle winner edged clear to the back-straight.

With the Moneygall charge two lengths to the good at halfway, the effort of Dixies Jet when halving the lead to the third bend was hugely laudable for as Magical Rocket settled the race while staying powerfully in the home-straight, a wonderful debut time of 28.67 confirmed the sizzling level of ability that both local pups had displayed throughout.

That bump affected time can be marked up in form terms and both Magical Rocket and Dixies Jet (Droopys Jet-Live Queen) are possible future stars to follow very closely over coming months.

Back in the Premier, the Thurles Saturday fixture again provided plenty for locals to cheer as the night commenced with a first career win at the third time of asking for Mike Duff’s Rathfalla Hope (Silverhill Shay-Newlawn Minnie) when securing a thrilling A9 victory over 525 yards.

Having made a belated debut just last month, the July 2019 youngster went close when second last time, but the strong running promise shown then, was again in evidence on Saturday as a first time draw in Trap 6 proved suitable in the early exchanges.

Charting a straight line to the bend having began just off the pace, the Duff charge was short of racing room at the crown of the bends but gamely battling her way through crowding, secured a challenging third position off the second turn. Quickly advancing to set sights on the early paced leader, her challenge on the outside was defended as the pacesetter drifted wide but cleverly switching for a run on the rail, the renewed effort of Rathfalla Hope saw her again challenge approaching the line. Staying stoutly, a maiden victory was secured in most entertaining fashion and appealingly graded following her bump affected 30.41 (-20), she holds every claim to follow up with certain progression next time.

In the now weekly John Byrne section, the Knockalton trainer secured yet another double on that same Thurles card when John Meelam’s Courty Girl (Laughil Blake-Killaheen Queen) backed up her recent A2 success, dominating the A3 525 in 29.50 (-20) while Stephanie Ryan’s Knockalton Conor (Silverhill Shay-Kitmins Denise) took his win tally to seven when also leading throughout his A1 525 contest in 29.67 (-20).

On a busy weekend with smart local performances at various venues, the most dominant victory of all came in the capital on Friday when young Sean Hackett’s Port West Salmon (Droopys Jet-Trout Or Salmon) bounced back to her best form in a facile A3 525 score at Shelbourne Park.

Making her return from a four-month absence when third last time, the PJ Tynan trained March 2019 whelp benefitted for that comeback effort when swifter to stride from Trap 2 this time.

Immediately establishing a one length lead, the Ballinderry charge defended that advantage to the opening bend before quickly settling the race on the run to the back-straight.Three lengths to the good approaching halfway, the winning margin only increased with each stride thereafter and confirming her strong running abilities, Port West Salmon hit the line with ten lengths to spare while posting a slick 28.90.

With scope to step back up in trip, a small rise to A2 may not be enough to contain the Tynan charge in her current form!