More Galbally glory for Catunda Ashmore

THE Owen McKenna trained Catunda Ashmore returned to the scene of his trial stake success of two years ago to capture the Galbally Stakes yesterday, when coursing had to be put back an hour and a quarter to 12.45 because of a heavy overnight frost.

The winner, the long odds favourite, had a bye in his quarter-final when Floating Rain was withdrawn and then accounted for Mary Kates Coin, who also had a quarter-final bye, when coming from behind to take the opening points by a length and a half.

At the top of the draw Millabbey Sean came from behind to take the opening score against Tarbert Dawn by a length while Shining Henry had a bye in his quarter-final when Colina Damask was withdrawn. In the semi-final Millabbey Sean led all the way to take the opening score by five lengths.

Catunda Ashmore was smartly away in the decider to lead five lengths for the initial score.

There was an exciting final to the Derby Trial Stake between Kyle Basil and Carrowkeal Wally. There was little between the pair in the run up until Kyle Basil pulled out to take the turn by a length.

Dermot O’Sullivan collected his sixth Trial Stake of the season when Vacume On My Way was an impressive winner of the Oaks Trial Stakes. He has now qualified five bitches for the Oaks in Clonmel as well as a dog for the Derby and has also sent out two Reserve Trial Stake winners.

The winner, who won a Reserve Trial Stake at Bandon this season, was the long odds favourite and had her toughest call against Maureen Rua in the quarter-final when she appeared to lose sight in the run up, but came storming back to get up by a narrow margin in a course in which there was no turn.

In the final she came up against Quick Clue and, getting smartly away from slips, took the turn by three lengths.