It was ladies night at Swindon with the fastest two heat times in the Calne Racing Arc going to the girls.
Quickest of the lot was Forest Twilight (Ace Hi Rumble-Forest May, Feb 13) in possibly the toughest of the six qualifiers.
The black in white (5-2) disputed the early lead with Glenanore Ace (T4 4-1) but took the advantage with so fine bend running. Ballymac Brogan (T5 4-1) set off in pursuit but was still two and a half back behind the 28.31 (+10) winner. Kennelmate and 2-1f Southfield Jock (T2 2-1f) was nearly four lengths back in third.
Next best on the clock was Liz McNair’s Queen Asia (Droopys Scolari-Shaws Dilemma, Oct 12). The 4-1 chance (T5) led up from Taranis Bolt (T6) with Calco Flyer (T1) in third. The latter eventually ran on to nab second spot (hd), a length and a half behind the 28.47 (+10) winner. Favourite Honest John (T4) finished fourth
The first leg of a McNair double came via King Dec (Eden Brett-Pretty Fantasy) running from red in the fourth heat. The 3-1 disputed the early lead with Ibiza Rocks (T2) but first bend trouble saw Roswell Iceman (T4) and Crossfield Cesar (T6 2-1f) emerge in second and third places and there they stayed. The winning margins were three and a bit and two and three quarters, and the time, 28.58.
Springbok winner Ballymac Manix (T5) returned to the flat in a tough fifth heat where Domino Storm (T2) went to traps as the 5-2f. But it was the kennel’s 5-1 second string Clondoty Alex (Razldazl Jayfkay-Castlehill Alex, May 13) who led up on the inside with King Alley (T6 9-2). Alex went two/three clear but Alley never gave up and reduced to the margin to a a black head on the line in 28.57 (+10). 2-1 second favourite On Alert (T3) was a shade over two lengths back in third.
It was a bad night for top visiting trainer Kevin Hutton who had only one of his quintet survive the round and the rot set in as early as heat two with Willy Whitesocks (T5 2-1f). The race went to last year’s Arc fourth Loughteen Eoin (Cashen Legend-Loughteen Lassie, Aug 12). After trapping well, the white jacketed 11-4 chance took both the favourite and Kakantu (T6) out of the race at the first turn. He would eventually be followed home by Ballycannon Bob (T4 7-1) and La Maqina (T2 11-4). Timne 28.57 (+10) – margins three and three quarters and two and a half.
The first of the six favourites to fail was Fire Height Tosh (T4 4-5f). The Liz McNair runner ran into Greenhill Gem (T3 7-1) on the run-up and was KO’d. Meanwhile red jacketed track specialist Embers Fury (Kinloch Brae-Mums Ivy, Jan 14) (4-1) was on his way to a four-timer with a 28.70 (+10) victory. It was left to Mystical Dream (T5 10-1) and Gem to take the remaining qualilfiers slots. Distances, five and half a length.
First semi final
1. Mystical Dreamer
2. Roswell Iceman
3. On Alert
4. Embers Fury
5. Ballycannon Bob
6. King Alley (W)
Second semi final
1. King Dec
2. Calco Flyer
3. Clodoty Alex
4. Southfeild Jock
5. Ballymac Brogan (M)
6. Crossfield Cesar (W)
Third semi final
1. Forest Twilight
2. Greenhill Gem
3. Loughteen Eion
4. La Maqina
5. Queen Asia (M)
6. Taranis Bolt (W)
