Fabulous five-timer for Murphy

OVENS handler Shane Murphy had a night to remember on Saturday.

He had three winners from as many runners at Shelbourne Park and for good measure also weighed in with a double at Curraheen Park.

At Shelbourne, Murphy struck first with the John Heffernan owned Blue Casino which won an A2 in 29.02.

The second Murphy winner was the Muskerry Syndicate owned Cyclers Lark, which produced a sensational 28.55 run when winning an open 525. He broke fast, was clear by the bend and raced home a hugely impressive six length winner from La Special One.

Murphy’s hat-trick was completed by the Pat Harkin owned Inishowen Hawk, who had two lengths to spare over Doctor Jazz in 29.62 in his heat of the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy Stake.

Meanwhile at Curraheen Park Murphy struck in the second race with Whitty Annies, who had a trap to line success for a three quarters of a length success over the favourite Juice Plus in 28.85.

Murphy’s five-timer was completed when Greenkeeper Mike took the first semi-final of the Guinness Trophy.

Owned by the Capwell Bus Syndicate, the winner led into the back straight and quickly asserted to come home four lengths ahead of the running on Lowertown Mike in in 29.10.

Fastest of the Guinness winners was Stone Rig Rascal in the second semi-final. The winner, trained by John Linehan for Blarney owner Kieran Ryan, made all to beat Wanrok by half a length in 28.81.

The other semi-final fell to Broadacres Turbo. Graham Holland’s runner made good use of his inside draw to lead at the bend. He held a five length advantage at one stage in the back straight which was reduced to two at the line by the running on favourite Tyrur Lee. The winner’s time was 28.97.

The draw for Saturday’s Guinness Trophy final is: 1 Wanrok, 2 Broadacres Turbo, 3 Lowertown Mike, 4 Stone Rig Rascal, 5 Tyrur Lee, 6 Greenkeeper Mike.