IRISH PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK

Only one place to start this week – the Irish Leger semis. (When was the last time the English Leger semis were staged on the same night?) Fastest of the night was the double Irish Derby finalist Sonic.

The biggest completion at Ireland’s ‘second track’ Cork was the Fennelly Memorial where Jumeirah Lols set the standard. Elsewhere Pennys Rey went quickest in the Newbridge Oaks first round

The rise of ‘juvenile’ events due to a shortage of pups is skewing matters a little. So while Colarhouse Gerry thoroughly deserves a mention for a classy 28.53 in the former Munster Puppy Cup at Clonmel, it is worth noting that he is two years and two months old. Hence, we have a second nomination for January pup Galloping Glory with a 28.93 run.

Burgess Brandy landed the week’s biggest final – the Red Mills Future Champion Unraced at Enniscorthy. On the subject of pups, this week’s youngest nomination, the May youngster Beretta Will, was also the quickest of the week over Dundalk’s 400yds.

Tyrur Big Mike has a fantastic strike rate and Mullingar racegoers witnessed another flying youngster in the renamed Motorbar Arthur. Although the 350 yard trip is not often used, it was still the fastest run over it in several years (T 19.10).

But – it isn’t always the big final winners that get the nod. Although Kilkenny staged a €5,000 graded event, the outstanding performance of the week surely belongs to the quicker March puppy Bull Run Ballad.

An even better example came at Waterford where unraced Droopys Ant, won by 12 lengths in a faster time that the two Select Stakes semi finals. A great start for her young sire Droopys Ward and dam Droopys Dance (Brett Lee-Droopys Puzzle)