Burnpark Brae had a third career success in Galway on Thursday while the Mullins Curtin syndicate of Gort toasted to a record-breaking win in Shelbourne.
With Connacht in action on Saturday night it was Thursday and Friday night racing at Galway Track last week. In the A4 graded fifth contest on Thursday nights card, the Marie Browne of Cree owned Burnpark Brae never saw another rival as he registered his third career success by a length and a half from Confused Hassett in 29.13. The son of Kinloch Brae and Seekers Vision who mistimed his start last time made no mistake this time as he poached a three length advantage over Confused Hassett and Ringroe Rally rounding the opening bend. Racing towards halfway the lead was still three lengths as Confused Hassett began to closed slightly at this point. Out front though Burnpark Brae was in control of matters rounding the home bend for a comfortable all the way success.
In the opening contest of the night, Grandadsprincess out wide and Crokers Cody in the centre were were away well and were prominent racing towards the opening bend where the red jacketed Lillies Joy slipped through along the rails to take over in front entering the back straight. Racing along the back Lillies Joy led by two lengths from Grandadsprincess with Peteles Duke closing in third spot. Rounding the home bend it was anyone’s race with the Michael Corry and Michael Daly of Clarecastle owned Lillies Joy gamely sticking her neck out to score by a neck from Grandadspricess for trainer Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge in 29.48 and initiate a double in the process.
Murray’s brace was completed in the S8 graded third contest which developed into a match from an early stage as Lady Blues was very smartly into her stride leading by two lengths from Knockdrum Lilly early doors. Approaching the opening bend Knockdrum Lilly came through along the inside rails to lead for a couple of strides but on straightening for home the Rachel Murray of Sixmilebridge owned Lady Blue Eyes rallied on the outside and the Stephen Murray trained daughter of Laughill Blake and Playmistyforme edged on close home to prevail by half a length in 19.56.
In race two on Friday night’s card, the Kieran and Bridget Nugent of Ballyea owned Dynamic Diva overcame trouble at the opening bend in this A6 graded contest as she opened her account with a two and three quarter length success over Springwell Stevo in 29.46. In the early strides Bumblebee Daithi and Springwell Stevo disputed the lead before Killaspic Storm took over at the opening bend. Racing along the back the order remained unchanged until the leaders tightened up at the third bend. Approaching the home turn the winner came through on the outside and quickly went clear on the run to the line.
The Sean Conlon owned Bumblebee Dylan never saw another rival in the S2 graded contest as the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained runner registered his sixth career success bye two and three quarter lengths over Caislean Joey in 19.21.
The SIS Mullingar Fair Warrior Open Sweepstake got underway at the Mullingar Track on Saturday night. In heat three victory went to the Noel Gavin of Ballyea owned Ballyea Scrutiny, boxed in trap six the Tom Flanagan of Ennistymon trained runner had three lengths to spare at the finish line in a time of 21.55. The Sweepstake which is over the 400 yards distance continues over the coming weeks.
The run of the weekend came in Shelbourne Park also on Saturday night when The Mullins Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Dana Point (Sparta Maestro/ Blundel Spark) took the opportunity in the supporting Talking Dogs Online TV Open 850 to cement her status as Ireland’s very best ultra-marathon performer with a sensational record-breaking display. Powering home, Dana Point struck the line seven lengths clear of Tinnock Solis in a brilliant 47.05, taking some six seconds off the previous best of Corporate Attack which had been set on Derby final night in 2009.
