Ardkill Star’s connections savour poignant victory

THE victory of Ardkill Star in the final of the €6,000 Billy Mulvaney Jnr and Snr Memorial 600 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday was especially poignant for one of his joint owners Ciaran Mangan.

Speaking after the race an emotional Mangan, who owns the dog jointly with jockey Willie Supple, explained that this victory was special: “This one means much more than any before. We had his sire Ardkill Jamie, who has been missing eight months after being taken from us.

“It’s great to see a son of his keeping the name alive and hopefully he can fill his father’s shoes in the coming year. He’s only lightly raced, but once he led we knew he wouldn’t be caught.”

Mangan was right in his assessment of the contest. Ardkill Star flew from trap two to dictate from the start and he seemed to relish the soft underfoot conditions as he made every inch.

In contrast the warm favourite Slippery Bob could never get into the race after missing the start from trap four. Instead it was up to Razldazl Barack and Airforce Roger to give chase, but neither could delver a telling blow.

In fact Ardkill Star increased his lead down the back straight and he maintained a powerful gallop all the way to the line to record a three length success in 33.16 (rated.40 slow), which in the conditions was a considerable effort.

If anything conditions were worse at Waterford for the semi finals of the Droopys Stud Munster Oaks, but followers of Beaming Olive and Ross Flyer had little to complain about.

Beaming Olive was sent to traps the 5-4 favourite in the opening semi and she duly obliged, despite making a hash of the start.

Displaying fine early dash up the fence, Beaming Olive railed tightly to move second before the second turn and she then set her sights on the early leader Carrigoon Tears.

The favourite hit the front before the final turn, but then had to dig deep to contain Shes Only Saying by three parts of a length in 29.13 on a track rated .40 slow.

In the second heat, Ross Flyer was foot-perfect, making all to run out a two and a half length scorer over Avalon Honey in 29.12 (rated.40 slow).

Trap draw for next weekend’s final: 1 Ross Flyer; 2 Archaton Linda; 3 Beaming Olive; 4 Carigoon Tears; 5 Avalon Honey; 6 Shes Only Saying

Trap draw for Friday’s Puppy Derby at Harolds Cross: 1 Movealong Dash; 2 Swift Marathon; 3 Incitatus; 4 Ruthless Man; 5 Sparta Maestro; 6 Callums Flash