Clearwater in full flow

EAST Cork trainer Denis Fitzgerald, whose Hitman Hatton produced a big run (28.65) in the second round of the Texacloth Puppy Derby at Newbridge on Friday night, is also very much in the hunt for the AIB Stakes at Curraheen Park after Clearwater Jack took heat two in the second round of the event in 28.52 on Saturday night.

From an unfavourable wide draw, the middle seed tracked Business Dough and Rebel Kewell for the first half of the race. He kicked on at the third bend and then had enough in reserve to hold off the staying on Rebel Kewell by a length at the line.

Millabbey Colt made it seven wins from 10 start when making all in 28.79 in heat 3. The winner is trained by Johnny O’Sullivan who also landed the opening heat with Freeze Me.

Rockland Royal made it two from two in the event when taking heat 4 in 29.04. Broadacres Lance led at the third bend in heat 4 to initiate a double (completed by Broadacres Turbo in the last) for trainer Graham Holland, beating Ore Engineeress by a neck in 29.15.

Fitzgerald also completed a double when Knockna Buakill took the second semi-final of the Cork GOBA Past Presidents Stake, making all to have eight lengths to spare over After the Ball in 29.15.

The only final on the card, the Heineken 575, went to Blue Rince. The Peter Cronin trained dog got the better of a protracted battle with Captain Slow for a ¾l win in 31.50.