TRAPRISE - Duke delivers another record run at Tralee

Contesting the semi-finals of the K.G.O.B.A AA0 Stakes on Friday, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Daleroad Duke (Good News-Burgess Sarah) was back to his astounding best when lowering track record figures for the 525-yards at Tralee, for the second time in his classy racing career.

Having set his first record over the trip of 27.92 at the Kerry venue during the 2023 Kingdom Cup, the Thomas O’Keefe owned September 2021 whelp saw that time eclipsed by a single spot when In Good Time went faster last season. However, ensuring another race against the Tralee clock when swift to stride from trap 4 this time, Duke reclaimed top spot in stunning fashion.

Showing smart dash for a one length lead at the corner, he would never be contained over the standard trip in such a scenario with plenty of form at further and he duly extended clear to halfway having negotiated the turns in isolation. Increasing his advantage over smart rivals with each stride thereafter, Daleroad Duke struck the line with nine and a half lengths to spare while registering a blistering 27.85 (+10).

Clearly anything close to a repeat will get the job done in this week’s final and on this evidence, the Guilfoyle star can again dream of classic success this season, which his career would so richly deserve.

There was further success for the Moneygall kennels on that same Friday and having commenced her career with a brace of victories in the This Runs Deep ON2 350 Yard Stake at Galway, Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Millie (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) remained unbeaten when prevailing in an eventful final, just!

Favourite to land short odds from trap 4, the October 2023 whelp began in mid-division before battling her way to a share of the lead approaching the opening bend. Bumping with her closest rival at that point, the Guilfoyle pup was shunted back to a battle for second behind a new leader as the entire field suffered crowding or bumps. Gamely rallying in the home stretch however, Magical Millie again struck the front on the approach to the line, displaying admirable battling qualities for a short head victory in an affected 19.71 (-5).

Within a busy and successful week for trainer Pat Guilfoyle, the Saturday action at Shelbourne brought a highly pleasing return to four-bend racing for Epic Ace (Signet Ace-Free From Desire) as the John Kennedy owned star went fastest in the opening round of the Shelbourne Summer Cup A0 525.

Following a luckless passage in the final of the Islandbridge 350 Final at the same venue, the December 2022 whelp this time trapped very smartly from trap 3 and once balanced on the run to the corner, scampered dismissively clear. Over three lengths to the good before tackling the opening bend, the Guilfoyle star had more than doubled that advantage to halfway and duly completed without sighting a rival. Stopping the clock in a brilliant 28.20 while fastest of the night’s action, Epic Ace will be a major force in the event which continues this weekend.

Cute maiden win at Limerick

A two-race career start had harboured plenty of promise in defeat for the John Byrne trained Kevinsfort Cutie (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) at Limerick and back on the Treaty circuit for the Slan Abhaile A4 525 on Saturday, she fully delivered on all expectation in a quality maiden score.

Breaking on terms from trap 3, the April 2023 whelp showed just the best early pace when narrowly in command on the approach to the opening bend with a sharp challenger on her inside shoulder before turning. Fully securing the lead before reaching the top of the backstraight, the Peadar Kinane owned winner emphatically settled the race on the run to the closing bends. Extending to six and a half lengths at the line with an eye-catching galloping style, Kevinsfort Cutie clocked 28.66 (+20) and will take a significant rise to A1 company for her next outing. However, on this evidence she can cope and is a runner to follow closely for the remainder of the season.

The winning action last week had already commenced at Limerick as the Thursday SIS fixture saw Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Bogger (Great Blue Shark-Bogger Sunny) secure a sixth career win in the Lucky Last A3 525.

Last successful in the same grade back in March, the August 2022 whelp began on terms from trap 5 this time before striking the front on the inside of local rival Kilgarran Mickey, who again ran wide while tackling the opening bends. Seizing his opportunity while readily extending clear into the backstraight, Abigails Bogger completed with the minimum of fuss, thereafter, posting 28.80 (+20) in a four-length victory and should not fear a return to A2 grade next time.