The qualifying rounds of a puppy event and and an all-aged 500 metre competition – staged in memory of Harry Holmes – contributed to a fantastic night for local trainer/breeder Elaine Parker as well as a welcome return to form for Barrie Draper’s Ballymac Ramsey.
Three members of her all-conquering Ballymac Vic/Droopys Peaches litter – which also featured the recent Leamaneigh Turbo At Stud winner Russana Rubin – were successful on the night though the star of the Parker kennel was arguably Droopys Live (Tullymurry Act-Live Queen, May 15) in the puppy event.
Unbeaten in her two opens to date, the black jacketed 6-4 chance disputed the early lead with Ballydoyle Henry (T2 7-1). However showing great track craft for one so young, Live tracked well at the first bend and set the pace with Sidarian Sky (T5 9-2) in close order. The leader eventually crossed the 500m winning line with two and a bit lengths to spare in 28.59.
The opening heat saw 7-4f Ballymac Furlong turned over by Russ Warren’s Swift Marvelette (Vans Escalade-Swit Louis, Apr 15). The white jacketed Furlong led up but could not shake off the eventual winner (T2 11-4) who got home by three quarters of a length in 29.15.
The third qualifier went to Carl Perry’s Logee Bauer (Premier Fantasy-Coolbeggan Honey, Jan 15) in another tight finish. The red jacketed 5-2 chance, who would appear to have plenty under the hood when he learns to stride out, made a tardy start but stuck to his task and won on merit from Early Mist (T3 4-1). The winner’s time was 29.38, the distance, a head and favourite Dorotas Vic (T6 9-4f) was back in fourth.
Final (Tuesday) : 1 Early Mist, 2 Ballymac Furlong, 3 Swift Marvelette 4 Logee Bauer 5 Droopys Live (M) 6 Sidarian Sky (W)
Ballymac Ramsay (Droopys Scolari-Ballymac Razl, Mar 14) showed signs of ending a testing year in style when landing the fastest qualifiern of the Harry Holmes Memorial.
In a race where Oscar Junior (T2) went to traps at 8-13f, it was the white jacketed Ramsey (11-4) who led up and won by a comfortable four and a bit from Ballymac Moran (T1 25-1) in 28.56 (N).
There was no luck for Russanda Robin though litter brother Candlelight Fire – whose sisters Russanda Rhianna and Russanda Roslea won on the support card – was next quickest in the open heat of the Memorial. Never headed off a 4.20 sectional, the striped evens favourite held off Stay Loose (T1 11-4) by three quarters of a length in 28.74.
The other qualifier went to Steel City Cup runner-up Tynwald Baz (Droopys Jet-Bish Bash Bosh, Aug 14). The red jacketed 5-4f beat Bockos Bolassie (T2 10-1) by two and a half in 28.80.
Final (Tuesday) : 1 Ballymac Ramsey, 2 Stay Loose, 3 Ballymac Moran 4 Tynwald Baz 5 Bockos Bolasie 6 Candlelight Fire (M)
