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You are > Home > Bellewood Prince swoops late to triumph
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Bellewood Prince swoops late to triumph
By Murt Murphy
IT might well have been one of the best finishes of the season but either way, the 3 Mobile A2 sweepstake final produced a thrilling climax with the outcome being in doubt until the final stride.
Patrick H O’Connor was doubly represented with Shrone Óg in trap one and the favourite Bellewood Prince in trap two, who had won his semi-final in most impressive fashion.
However, there were dangers everywhere with Lassa Extreme back in grade and a very impressive winner of his semifinal by eight lengths.
Then you had Womanizer who had won his first round and was just collared close home in the semi-final by Bellewood Prince.
It was a final that had all the ingredients of classic and it certainly did not disappoint. Shrone Óg and Bellewood Prince were quickest away from traps but Lassa Extreme was soon making headway on the outside and the race was on in earnest.
Lassa Extreme hit the front at the top of the back straight and led to the second last as Womanizer gave chase.
It was still Lassa Extreme who looked to be in control as Womanizer chased him into the home straight but Bellewood Prince was stuck to the rails and making rapid headway as the three leaders headed for the line.
Lassa Extreme was desperate for the line, but it just did not arrive in time because the brilliant Bellewood Prince got up on the line to win by a neck in 31.17 but it took the judge to separate them.
It was some finish as Bellewood Prince came from well off the pace for Noreen McManus and Declan Moylan from Limerick.
He is trained by Patrick O’Connor from Tarbert whose string is in superb form.
There was a real eye-catching run on Saturday night in the second race on the card when Feora Ace ran a superb 500 after being led to half way by Willowdale Pedro.
In fact, Willowdale Pedro took it out early but he just could not hold off the persistent challenge of Feora Ace who swept to the front and cleared right away to win by four and half lengths in 27.35. That is open class time and only three lengths off Scarty Lad’s track record.
The winner is owned and trained by Michael A Reidy from Ballyheigue. It was not expected as he was a 3/1 outsider, probably based on his four unsuccessful runs to date.
Johnny O’Sullivan rarely lets a fundraiser go without winning a race and he took another 550 when his Ballybunnion Cave was quickly away from trap three and led all the way, despite a strong finish from Hidden Choice. Ballybunnion Cave had too much pace and crossed the finishing line in 27.54, owner/trainer Johnny O’Sullivan.
Also, John Mike Dooley enjoyed a great Saturday because not only did he score a very important goal for Kerry’s hurlers in their Christy Ring Cup win over Westmeath but he is part of the JJB Syndicate whose Trendy Yank was a trap-to-line winner of the fourth race on the card.
Trendy Yank was smartly away and led around the opening two bends and down the back. And though Unknown Cathy challenged for a time, it was Trendy Yank who stayed on strongly to win by two lengths in 29.21.
There were a number of 750 yards races and in the second Lissycasey Babe stayed every yard of the trip as she raced right away from Boher Light, who was doing her best to match strides from halfway.
However, Lissycasey Babe, who led from the second bend, was always in control. Though it took some time to establish a lead, once in front he was not to be denied, winning by six and half lengths in a quick 42.28. The winner is owned by Michael Donlon from Listowel.
Pat McMahon had a welcome change of luck when Send It Volume led from traps in a 500-yard affair to win without too much fuss as he had one and half lengths to spare on the line, winning in 27.74 for Joan McMahon in Tralee.
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