TRAPRISE - Cagey novice double for Delaney

Commencing a wonderfully successful weekend of novice competition at Newbridge on Friday, the Roscrea kennels of Christopher Delaney sparked a most notable litter double of debut winners when the Christy Fitzgerald & Billy Finnerty owned Cagey Pauline (Pestana-Lilly Lula) greatly impressed throughout her first racing experience.

An April 2022 whelp, the smart puppy recruit proved ideally suited to her trap 1 draw when breaking just behind the pace in the ON2 525 contest but reducing those slight arrears when reaching full stride on the approach to the opening bend, seized command of the race while tackling the turns at pace. Two lengths to the good at the top of the backstraight, Cagey Pauline was kept honest with a rival on her tail to the closing bends but displaying a pleasing steely resolve in addition to her obvious pace, repelled that threat when seeing out the trip stoutly. Retaining a one length advantage at the line, Cagey Pauline posted a very smart 28.98 (+30) and with progress likely for this first race experience, could prove tough to contain as she continues her puppy career at A3 level next time.

Having only been beaten a length and a half by his sister in their final qualifying trial over 525-yards, the chances that Cagey Billy (Pestana-Lilly Lula) could also commence his career with victory on the following night at Thurles had clearly become more plausible following those Newbridge exploits and for the same connections, he too tasted debut victory in the Split The Pot @ Thurles Track Novice 525.

Breaking well from trap 2, he showed marginally in front approaching the opening bend when displaying similar early dash to his comrade. However, running off the turn with clear signs of greenness on debut, the Delaney pup ceded a five length backstraight advantage to a new leader before back on an even keel off the second turn. Greatly impressing from that point, Cagey Billy displayed much the best pace on the approach to the closing bends but was again checked backwards to a two length second at the crown of the bends with his path blocked. Rallying into the home straight however, he would display pleasing battling qualities on the run the line and striking the front on the outside, secured a hard fought one and a half-length victory in 30.20 (-20).

That winning time will afford him the opportunity to contest at A8 level next time out and only natural progression for this debut outing could very well see him as a big blot on the grading system next time!

GUILFOYLE REMAINS DOUBLE HANDED IN ST LEGER

Second round heats in the 2023 Willwego.com Irish St Leger were the feature of the Saturday programme at Limerick last weekend and having guided both Music Glideaway and Mystical Messi through the opening session of the classic a week earlier, trainer Pat Guilfoyle repeated the feat and remains double-handed ahead of this week’s quarter finals.

First into action for Heat 5, the Westwell Racing Club Syndicate’s Mystical Messi (Skywalker Logan-Superb Beauty) built on his opening round third when filling the same position in just a second start since a return from the UK. For the same connections as the wonderful Magical Bale, the Tina Morrissey bred March 2021 whelp was again just moderately to stride from trap 4 this time and trailed all bar one rival approaching the corner. Negotiating a path to third place through crowding while tackling the turns, the Guilfoyle charge was seven lengths adrift of the pacesetting Mr Chelm at halfway but ably retaining that safe qualifying place to the line, went down by five lengths in 29.62.

The following heat saw the Pension Plan Syndicate’s 2023 Derby finalist Music Glideaway (Newinn Taylor-Glideaway Magic) continue his St Leger tilt and he also safely advanced in a game placed performance.

Breaking on terms from trap 6, the June 2021 whelp absorbed a bump on the outside at the opening bend as winner Glengar Elvis skipped clear to a decisive backstraight lead. Recovering to regain second position at halfway however, Music Glideaway chased the winner home at a five-length deficit in 29.56.

Both Guilfoyle challengers have been drawn in separate quarterfinals this coming Saturday with Music Glideaway well drawn in trap 6 despite facing a daunting task in a heat which includes three second round heat winners and defending champion Bobsleigh Dream. However, clear passage on the outside would very likely see him qualify at the minimum. Ahead of his tricky draw in trap 4 for the concluding heat, inside seed Mystical Messi must find a faster start this week but remaining somewhat unexposed, the strong runner could prove dangerous to rule out!

WARRIOR WOE FOR RAPID

It had been hoped to report on victory for Paul Pardy’s So Its Rapid (Rosbirr Ranger-Classy Ebony) in Sunday’s final of the 2023 RPGTV Fair Warrior Open 400 and that appeared a highly likely scenario for all bar the very last stride of the sprint major as the Vincent McKenna trained speedster was denied victory in a thrilling photo-finish at Mullingar.

Producing his career best form at the venue over recent weeks, the August 2020 whelp bounced back from semi-final defeat when producing his more usual fast start in the final and led unbeaten favourite Pavilion Fire throughout the early exchanges. Almost two lengths to the good when exiting the second bend, that latter rival was certain to finish strongly and all out approaching the line, an unlucky bob of his head saw So Its Rapid cede victory by a head, in 21.43 (-20).

In reality, So Its Rapid loses little aside from the title in this runner-up performance having been a star act throughout the competition and can be a feared presence in all upcoming sprint majors while remaining in sparkling form.