TRAPRISE - Model start to record-breaking Kirby at Limerick
The chase for €80,000 in the Noreen & JP McManus sponsored Con & Annie Kirby Memorial commenced at Limerick on Saturday and set to dominate the sport’s major events over coming seasons, the talented young cast of 2024 wowed Dock Road patrons with repeated brilliance throughout an opening round session of twelve enthralling heats which included a stunning track record from Ballymac Danica!
The latest star from the all-conquering Ballymacelligott kennels of Liam Dowling dominated Heat 8 before stopping the clock in a near incredulous 27.83 for the 525-yard Kirby distance.
With the starting field of 72 reduced to 48 hopefuls ahead of the second round this Saturday, there was much for our local support to cheer on opening night and within a session of mixed fortune for trainer Pat Guilfoyle, his Fashion Model made a highly pleasing start to her Kirby tilt with victory in Heat 10.
Having endured a bumpy passage in the Irish Cesarewitch last time out following her third-place finish in the Thurles Champion Bitch Stake, the Paul Horig & Stephen Bourke owned March 2022 whelp bounced back to her best form despite headed in the early stages following a level start from trap 2.
Well-placed while tracking the early pace of Serene Highway on the approach to the corner, the Guilfoyle youngster would suffer significant bumping as Carrick Keano ran off the bend. Displaying steely determination to retain second position, Fashion Model took aim at the leader from six lengths adrift at the top of the backstraight and greatly impressing on the run to the closing bends, raced on the tail of the pacesetter while turning. Certain to stay the trip stoutly as a strong runner over 525-yards, Fashion Model powered her way to the front off the final bend and extending to an ultimately comfortable five length winning margin, laudably posted a bump affected 28.39.
Outside of Saturday’s track record performance, that winning time compares very favourably within the first-round performances and marks the Guilfoyle girl as a viable outright contender! Another from the Moneygall kennels who was firmly in that same bracket ahead of the opening round, Mustang Fever had scorched to Trial Stake victory at Limerick on the previous weekend when registering 28.16 but in a rotten turn of luck, she was cruelly eliminated when again in flying form on Saturday.
Locked in battle with Toolmaker Bud at the closing bends with qualification all but assured ahead of likely victory in Heat 3, that rival fought with the luckless Mustang Fever, carrying her to the hare rail while ending the Kirby hopes of both in sickening manner!
Byrne double handed in Kirby
The recent career progression of Michael & Terence Delaney’s Feshtys Mo (Grangeview Ten-Rifles Flash) has been an outstanding highlight of the local racing scene over recent weeks and having prompted her entry to the Kirby with a slick A1 winning performance last time out, the John Byrne trained darling resoundingly confirmed that she belongs amongst the elite youngsters of the sport when producing a bold qualifying effort in Heat 7 on Saturday.
A special runner for all connected while named in honour of the late Kieran “Feshty” Delaney, the April 2022 whelp was seeking a Limerick hat-trick on her Open class debut and breaking very sharply from an ideal draw on the fence, dominated the early exchanges with her brilliant early pace. Dictating to the backstraight, the Toomevara pup held a two and a half length advantage at the midway point and though certain to have her stamina tested, still held the call entering the home straight with Ballinabola Bill on her tail. Only succumbing to that strong finishing rival in the dying strides, Feshtys Mo settled for a highly pleasing one length runner-up spot in 28.61 and though an outsider in the event, her early pace will continue to bring qualification hopes at the very least!
A second runner from the Knockalton kennels to reach the second round of the Kirby on Saturday was Shane & Luke O’Connell’s Grouchos Finn (Droopys Sydney-Oisins Choice). A close third in the top grade at Clonmel last time out following a highly promising career start in hot novice company, the May 2022 whelp chased home Ballymac Senan at a nine-length deficit while third in Heat 6 and can be expected to progress for that first Limerick outing.
Maasai makes a mark in Kirby
A first local challenger to advance to the last 48 of the Kirby was Geoff Parnaby’s Tarsna Maasai (Droopys Sydney-Tarsna Rose) and all connected to the young Borrisoleigh charge will have been delighted with his runner-up display in the opening heat.
A classy debut winner at Thurles last month, the inexperienced July 2022 whelp faced a stiff task in his second career outing but breaking just behind the pace from trap 4, tracked Swords Hero throughout the early exchanges with more than the odd bump on that rival’s outside while tackling the opening bends. On the leader’s tail all along the backstraight, Tarsna Maasai was subsequently made to settle for a qualifying runner-up position.
Only going down by a length and a half in 28.36, the performance represented smart improvement from his debut while leaving plenty of scope for more if granted clear passage going forward. Inexperience aside, Tarsna Maasai looks a hugely exciting prospect in the event for his greatly respected handler.