The Elaine Parker trained and bred Candlelight Fire (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Peaches, Apr 14) landed the £2,500 Harry Holmes Memorial, though he had to share centre stage with two outstanding pups.
Drawn stripes, the 3-1 chance disputed the early lead with Tynwald Baz (T4 9-4) and they were the only pair seen with a chance. Fire held on by three and a bit in 28.72 (500m) with favourite Ballymac Ramsey (T1 5-4f) in fourth.
The £1,500 Ryan Holmes Puppy final went to Fire’s outstanding kennelmate Droopys Live (Tullymurry Act-Live Queen, May 15). The orange jacketed 8-11f once again showed trackcraft belying her age to lead at the first bend and go on to win by just over five lengths in 28.79 (-10) for the 500m.
The night’s other outstanding performance came from Dorotas Woo Hoo (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Danneel, May 15) in a supporting 480 open.
Charlie Lister’s 4-7f, beaten by Droopys Live in his previous race, broke his duck on his fourth race appearance with a stunning near eight length win in 27.49 – three spots quicker than Domino Storm’s previous ‘fastest of year’. It is only 17 spots outside the track record held by Candlelight Fire’s half brother Candlelight King.
