Lightning Logan again the leading star

Big local interest for the second round heats of the John Slyne Memorial Open 575 Yard Stake at Curraheen Park took a small dent ahead of last Saturday’s action with the withdrawal of William Rigney’s Enable when due to contest the concluding heat against the event’s fastest runner but returning yet another astounding display of raw ability, Skywalker Logan ensured that he will remain a strong favourite entering this week’s semi-finals in Cork.

With Enable vacating Trap 6, the five runner heat still presented a significant challenge for the young Pat Guilfoyle trained superstar as from Trap 2, he would be flanked by Budgie Marbh to his inner and Droopys State to his outside, both of whom can show smart early dash. Breaking on terms however, Logan ensured safe passage when showing narrowly in front in the early exchanges, he repelled those rivals for command of the rails position to the opening bend.

Finding Droopys State rushing up on his outside at the crown of the turns, he would begin to ease clear on the approach to the back-straight and readily extended to a two length advantage at halfway when chased by Budgie Marbh for the second week in succession.

Such a powerful runner in the latter half of his races, Logan was now again racing against the Curraheen Park clock for he will never be for catching in such a position and he duly stretched his lead with each stride thereafter. Powering to a seven length verdict, he lowered his opening round time by a length when posting a sublime 30.82 (+10) while again leaving all wondering just what times he could be capable of if contesting such an event in more favourable mid-season conditions.

 

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