The main news of the weekend was obviously the Easter Cup win for the Graham Holland trained, Barbara Lowndes owned Swords Rex in the €25,000 Easter Cup.
The 2022 Kirby Memorial winner crowded the field by moving from the red box to lane three on the run up and then darting to the rail at the bend. The winning time reflected the slow track, 29.71. Lets Go Bubbles, a 19 month old half sister of Susie Sapphire landed the fastest heat of the Puppy Oaks while Ireland’s premier sprinter Gizmo Cash was two lengths outside his own track record over two bends.
The big news at Limerick was the fourth place for Rex’s kennelmate Clona Duke in the Kirby Memorial quarters. Ryhope Beach clocked the quickest time in the four-runner last qualifier.
There were also shocks in the Champion Unraced/Fortune Memorial at Enniscorthy where 2-5 chance Optico Chico went out in the semis. But 18 month Glengar Martha was the star of the night with a 28.47 run. Another pup, Nellys Twink clocked the fastest sprint of the year at Newbridge.
At Cork, Flashing Willow was 10 spots off his personal best for the 330 yard course when landing the fastest semi final of the €3,500 Supersprint. There are four Laughil Blake progeny in the final.
