*Syndicate member Tommy Hegarty (centre) with Páraic Campion on his right.
HIGHVIEW BEN claimed a remarkable thirteenth career win for his Clarecastle and Newmarket-on-Fergus owners.By Michael Maher
The semi-finals of both the Ballymac Kennels AO 525 and the Droopys Stud A2 525 dominated proceedings at Limerick Stadium on Saturday night.
In the opening semi-final, the Paraic Campion trained Highview Ben bounced back to winning ways to claim a remarkable thirteenth career success.
A brilliant servant for the V-H-R Syndicate which includes Clarecastle native Tommy Hegarty and Newmarket-on-Fergus’ Seanie McMahon, Highview Ben had his favoured red jacket and, although briefly headed by Crescent Emily, he quickly showcased his trademark early speed to charge up the rails.
From there, the 9/4 chance established a two-length lead into the back straight, and the remainder was a formality. The son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Ivy crossed three lengths clear of the staying-on Crescent Emily, with Kevinsfort Spice finishing third in 28.51.
Earlier on the card, the Droopys Stud A2 525 semi-finals took centre stage, In the opening semi, Snuggie Battie also made it back-to-back wins for Breda Casey of Newmarket-on-Fergus.
A gritty winner in 29.10 last weekend, ‘Battie’ produced a career-best here. Breaking smartly from trap one, the son of Jacob Tashadelek and Miles Girl battled his way past Carrigmore Lizzy entering the back and later chopped off the improving Brief Display at the three-quarter mark. Track craft proved decisive as he held on by a length from Brief Display, with Carrigmore Lizzy third in 28.69.
The semi-finals of the Peppers Bar of Feakle A3 600 also featured, with Black Cash setting the pace as he narrowly denied Kazankina.
Jointly owned by Jeremiah and Damien Roche, Black Cash (2/1) was unable to match Kazankina early but sticking gamely to her task, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Rathcoole Vixen found more on the long run home to prevail by a head in 32.90.
There was a nice performance in race two on Friday’s card as Tell Em Nothing won by a huge margin. A February ’24 puppy, owned by Paddy and John Collins, of Doora the son of Grangeview Ten – Droopys Lullaby was arriving from Galway and stepping up to the four-bend trip for the first time. This proved an astute move from connections as the 2/1 chance took control straight from traps before drawing clear to win by an exceptional thirteen lengths. The time was 28.81.
