Luka lands Select Stakes semi-final in Magical display

TRAPRISE

Kilcohan Park in Waterford staged semi-finals in the hugely prestigious 2026 Droopys Stud AA0 525 Yard Select Stakes on Saturday and following a fascinating trio of qualifiers for this weekend’s final, trainer Pat Guilfoyle is double handed for the €10,000 decider.

With just the forecast fillers advancing from three heats in the 18-runner event, all eyes were on Magical Luka (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) in the opener as the blistering early pacer made his return to four-bend racing, and the Moneygall star duly justified prohibitive odds while leading throughout.

Blessed with truly exceptional early pace, the October 2023 whelp began on terms from trap 3 before powering his way to a two and a half length lead over high-class rivals at the opening bend. Bounding further clear of Shanahee Boomer to the backstraight, Luka was thoroughly dominating on the run to halfway but looked briefly unbalanced while appearing to flirt with the hare rail for several strides.

A strong six lengths to the good at that point, the question still remained as to just how strongly Magical Luka would see out a trip which tests his stamina limitations, but the Guilfoyle charge was not for catching. Defending a two-length winning margin, he posted 28.36 and looks highly likely to progress for this first outing on the circuit.

The second semi-final saw a luckless outing for Magical On Fire who produced a stunning recovery performance following first bend bumping, missing out on qualification by three parts of a length in third to Beanos Yank having made up many lengths in 28.26.

Guilfoyle would add his second finalist in the concluding heat where Slick Sabre (Deerjet Sydney-Mydras Dawn) just failed to run-down Microchip in a thoroughly eye-catching performance. Battling through tight quarters to secure second position throughout the initial exchanges, the strong galloper went down by just a half-length in 28.47.

In a final of all inside seeded runners, Slick Sabre has fared worst in the draw with trap 6 and a fast exit will be needed. Closer to the rails however, the dash for the corner may settle the final and from trap 2, Magical Luka has Beanos Yank to his inside. He must tackle the opening bend in advance of that fastest heat winner but gifted in that department, he can!

Gem is Lucky on debut

There was much for local support to cheer at Limerick on Saturday and leaving a hugely pleasing impression in the opening Carey Glass ON2 525, John Meelam’s Lucky Gem (Grouchos Duke-Courty Girl) displayed an array of promising attributes within a very smart victory on debut.

From a highly promising second litter for the kennels wonderful dam Courty Girl, the October 2024 whelp began just behind the lead from trap 1 but pacing up well to the opening bend, forged a tight one length lead with command of the rails before turning. Easing to a two-length lead entering the backstraight, the Meelam pup retained that advantage all the way to the third turn and although a strong staying rival closed on the run to the line, she was never for catching.

Seeing out every yard, Lucky Gem prevailed with a snug one and a half-length winning margin while posting a smart 28.70 (+10) and the Tullaheady pup clearly has an exciting career ahead.

Later on the same card, the Rob Browne Electrical A3 525 brought a welcome return to winning ways for Alan O’Toole’s Onthe Run Ollie (Grangeview Ten-Muckinish Flyer) when taking advantage of a highly appealing grade.

Breaking well from trap 3, the Padraig O’Lone trained August 2022 whelp showed his smart early dash for a one length lead at the corner and always in command thereafter, the hugely likeable Roscrea stalwart displayed steely resolve for a half-length victory in 28.96 (+10).

Morgan brings Home Morrissey double

Last week’s winning action again began on the Wednesday SIS fixture at Kilkenny with a double for Abigail & Tina Morrissey as their Home Morgan (Ballymac Anton/Home Julie) sparked the feat with a most game second career success in the Community Radio Kilkenny City A7 525.

Bouncing back from luckless recent outings, the August 2023 whelp was more forward in the early stages following a level break from trap 5 this time and was just a length adrift of a rails-running leader approaching the opening bend. Ceding ground while turning however, the Cloughjordan charge was over five lengths adrift while third to the backstraight. Much the strongest from that point, Home Morgan had advanced to the tail of the leader once again when entering the home stretch and powering to the line, registered a thrilling one length verdict in 30.90 (-30).

Completing the kennel brace in the later Champion Open Unraced @ Kilkenny Track A7 525, litter brother Home Cedrie (Ballymac Anton/Home Julie) scored in similar strong running style.

Last successful in the same grade, the Morrisey charge also contested the early lead from trap 5 before reaching the backstraight with just a length to recover on a pacesetting rival approaching halfway. Joining the leader at the third turn, Home Cedrie struck the front while turning on the outside and containing all threats to the line, thereafter, posted 30.69 (-30) with a length to spare.

A further SIS winner followed on the Thursday fixture at Limerick as the Ready To Dream Syndicate’s Ready To Shine (Explosive Boy-Express Shine) took her career tally to seven in a thriller.

Held on upgrade last time following A5 success, the Aoife Loughnane handled September 2023 whelp got to grips with her rise in the Welcome to Limerick Greyhound Stadium A3 525 when back to her best breaking form from trap 5 this time. Only narrowly headed to the opening bend, the Roscrea charge remained on the pacesetters hind quarters to halfway but found that rival a stubborn obstacle when no closer to the top of the home stretch. Game as you like however, Ready To Shine gradually reduced arrears on the run to the line and timing her effort to perfection, forged a most gutsy head victory in 29.37 (+10 and she will hold obvious claims in the same grade next time.

Mystical debut for Bandit

Amongst the most influential breeding kennels in racing at present, opening round heats of the Galway Unraced ON2 525 Yard Stake was the chosen starting point for Eoin Troy’s Mystical Bandit (Grangeview Ten-Mystical Bandit) and he duly scored debut victory, just!

In a belated first public appearance for the October 2023 whelp, the well related Moneygall charge presented in sharp order when breaking on terms from trap 4 before displaying the best early pace for a one length lead at the opening bend. Doubling his advantage on the run to halfway, Mystical Bandit would find a similarly sharp debut rival on his tail to the closing turns and although hard pressed in the home stretch, defended a neck winning margin in 29.26.

Joint fastest time of the heats, it will come as no surprise should the Troy winner progress markedly over coming weeks!