Cashing in a double at Newbridge

TRAPRISE

Within a light racing schedule over the past week, there was one final opportunity to claim competition success for trainer Vincent McKenna in 2025, and he helped himself to a brace of stake final victories on Monday of last week.

The last meeting of the season at Newbridge, first into action for the Borrisokane handler was the Patrick Hogan owned Aulton Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Confident Petal) and justifying favouritism in the Christmas Cracker ON2 525 Yard Stake, the July 2024 whelp went back-to-back at the outset of his career.

Impressing on debut when overturning a six-length halfway deficit, Aulton Cash registered a most eye-catching one length verdict in 29.21 and duly built on the immense promise shown when swifter to stride on Monday, thoroughly dominating his final.

With a level start from trap 3, the McKenna pup immediately began to outpace rivals while reaching full gallop and arriving at the first bend with a strong one length advantage, extended his lead with each stride thereafter.

Displaying pleasing pace at all points of the circuit, Aulton Cash completed his final rout with thirteen lengths to spare while progressing to a sharp 28.85. Obliged to tackle A1 company for his transition from novice company, one suspects that his future lies yet higher.

The very next race on that Monday fixture at Newbridge was the final of the Thank You to Our Sponsors S3 325 Yard Stake and having also claimed semi-final victory in the event, the Conor McGrath owned Opera Moment (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Sanjose) again dominated.

Reverting from four-bend racing, the October 2023 whelp made plenty of appeal in the grade and took full advantage of her opportunity at semi-final stage when leading home James Treacy’s Montore Mal in 17.90. That local rival was not so well drawn in trap 4 for the final and made a poor start in contrast to Opera Moment.

Perfectly drawn out wide, the McKenna girl broke very sharply and immediately taking command, held a one length lead on the approach to the opening bend before readily extending that lead while forcefully galloping into the turns. Completing victory with the minimum of fuss, Opera Moment held four lengths over her closest pursuer at the line in 17.81.

Remaining at S3 level over sprint trips, she will prove difficult to contain and can be strongly fancied to supplement this fourth career win next time.