A family affair saw Jacobs First turn on the heat in Galway over the weekend while the much-anticipated Emerald Isle Irish Cambridgeshire Semi Finals drew plenty of interest in Limerick.
Third on his debut three weeks ago, Jacobs First owned by Jacob Ward of Quin absolutely routed his rivals in the S6b graded sixth contest at the Galway Track on Saturday night last as he triumphed by nine lengths over Muckinish Flyer in 19.05.
Away well enough as Tromora Skip and Crinkill Cruz broke well towards the inner Jacob First who is handled by the owners Grandad Joe really turned on the back turbo racing to the opening bend where he led by three lengths. Racing between the two bends the son of Ballymac Vic and Brookville Dash drew further clear with every stride to defeat his litter sister readily.
Race 2 was a newcomers event over 350 Yards and here the Noel Gavin owned Ballyea Scrutiny came in as a reserve in trap three and the son of Droopys Buick and Flandys Hawkeye made all the running to defeat Sports Academy by three and a quarter lengths in 19.20. Clear rounding the home bend the Tom Flannagan of Ennistymon trained dog stayed on well to win going away again at the line.
There were two 575 Yards contests down for decision on the card with the A2 graded seventh event the classier of the two and as the traps rose for this contest Dana Point and Gofast Moe were best away but up front it was the Mullins-Curtin Syndicate of Gort owned Dana Point that really showed the pace to the opening bend where she led Gofast Moe by two lengths and with crowding the pair were clear down the back. Racing past halfway Dana Point gradually began to draw further clear and the daughter of Sparta Maestro and Blundel Spark eventual crossed the line eleven lengths clear of Gofast Moe in 31.32.
A career best performance from Sues Panda followed in the concluding A5 graded contest. Owned by Tubber’s Johnny Burke, she made all for her second career success to defeat Mollrose King by four and a half lengths in 28.95.
Away very smartly the daughter of Lenson Panda and Sues Music showed great pace to the opening bend and railing superbly she extended her advantage over Mollrose King and Merciful Ali racing towards the halfway mark. Out front though the winner was in control as she stayed on well all the way home.
The John Browne of Ballyea owned Rathmeehan Rollo(Droopys Nidge-Rathmeehan Cragg) made no mistake at the second time of asking in the A7 graded contest on Friday nights card as he proved three and three quarter lengths too good for Flyaway Home in 29.45.
Pinnacle Rio made it seven wins from seven in the A2 graded tenth contest. The son of Rio Quatro and Fawn Samantha who is owned by Michael Costello from North Clare never saw another rival in the process. Leaving the back straight, the chasing pair of Exchange Three and Brickhill Davy closed slightly but the way Pinnacle Rio rails is a joy to behold as he stayed on superbly to score by two and a quarter lengths over Fawn Samantha in 29.04.
Action in the Emerald Isle Irish Cambridgeshire Semi Finals was the focus in Limerick over the weekend. Pat Guilfoyle’s Skywalker Logan and Ballymac Kingdom won the second and first semi-final heats respectively.
