Last to first Oddysey sets the standard

After a luckless run a week ago, when he was denied by the minimum margin, Droopys Oddysey came from last to first to set the standard in Saturday’s second round of the Barry’s Tea Open Tea, for trainer Fraser Black and the Diamonds Are Forever Syndicate.

The strong runner was close up early but short of room at the first turn and, consequently, shuffled back to last place.

Tradition, meanwhile, turned in a menacing-looking third but suffered a nightmare run, capped by stumbling when moving to challenge early in the backstraight.

Droopys Oddysey, sticking to the rails, showed a brilliant turn of foot to take over racing to the fifth bend, and pulled away stylishly to beat Fire Height Amy by nine and a half lengths, in 41.55.

In the first heat Shaneboy Frankie, trained by Michael Kiely, Kilmallock, missed the kick but railed like a cat to turn in second place behind kennel companion Shaneboy Sue.

The 2-1 favourite had three lengths to make up at that point, but did so with a tremendous show of backstraight pace.

In front before the fifth bend, he quickened away to beat Crompaun Jamesy by four and a half lengths, in 41.98.

The second heat went to Razldazl Rubin, trained by Neilus O’Connell for Roberto Posa, Sweden.

The April ’13 whelp had an early buckle with Karlow Master, before asserting approaching the third turn. With trouble behind, the leader moved some six clear down the back, and kept on nicely to beat Ballymac Jarlath by two lengths, in 42.02.

Chloes Gina produced a really smart effort to take the final heat for John Duggan and owners Brendan O’Callaghan and Rose Elphick. Having come from off the pace to win her first-round heat, she broke much better this time, and quickened to lead around, with Droopys Bomber in chase.

The latter tried hard but could never quite bridge the gap, as Chloes Gina stayed strongly to beat the staying-on Native Hut by three and a half lengths, in 41.80.

Race nine was the first semi-final of the East Village Bar A2 525 and Stepupagear ran out an easy winner for Con and Matt O’Connor, Abbeyfeale.

The bitch used her inside line to lead Up The Dines and reserve Cooly Beach around, and then pulled away to beat the former by five lengths, in 28.55.

The John Slyne, Minane Bridge, owned Rockybay Thomas had little trouble justifying odds-on favouritism in the second semi-final.

The 4-5 chance moved middle early but raced clear around the opening bends. Leamaneigh Lizie stayed on well, but came up two and a half lengths shy of the 28.59 winner.

Dromana Hawk, who returned to winning ways with victory in an A5 in late April, made light of a three-grade hike in the ratings in race one.

The Kevin O’Shea and William Neenan, Mallow, owned runner showed in front early and asserted from the opening turn. Winning for the fourth time, he raced to a four-and-a-half-length victory over Rupert Bear, in 28.83. There was an even more emphatic winner in race two, as Boherash Ozzie galloped clear to secure his second career victory. Trained by Michael Hanrahan for Barry Kiely, Glanworth, he used his inside line to lead by some three lengths early, and more than doubled that advantage racing to halfway.

No challenger emerged as he strode ten clear of Sandman Sammy, in 29.86 (550).

It’s hard to beat Jerry O’Sullivan, Carrigaline, in sprints at this track and his Kilmoney Nipper came out on top in a cracking third race. Impressive on Laurels final night, he broke well from the outside this time and had a real buckle with the returning Minnies Persie. There was never much between them, but Kilmoney Nipper asserted late to win by length, in 17.65.