Rural Hawaii was a surprise winner of the Boylesports Race of Champions over 550 yards at Tralee on Friday.
Graham Holland’s runner went off at 6-1 as the money came in for St Leger winner Paradise Silva, the 2-1 favourite.
However it looked like the Laurels winner Midtown Raffa (5-1) would prevail when he went two lengths clear around the first turn but Rural Hawaii moved into second and joined the leader at the third turn.
Graham Holland’s runner went a length clear off the last bend but was all out to hold the renewed challenge of Midtown Raffa by a fast diminishing head in 29.62sec.
There was a flying run on the undercard when Mossie O’Connor’s Secreto landed the €2,500 Malton Hotel GAA Club Championship Final over 525 yards.
The Scolari Me Daddy dog pulled clear on the far side to come home eight and a half lengths clear of Senans Forever in a rapid 28.13sec, which is within a length of the track record.
