Ballybough Mondo causes huge upset in Produce final

There was a huge upset in last night’s final of the Bank of Ireland Produce Stakes in Clonmel last night as Ballybough Mondo made all the running to land the spoils for Murt Leahy and owner Pat Carroll, Kilkenny.

Amazing Dude drifted to 4-7 on track and bookmakers knew they had a real chance of getting him beaten when he missed the kick.

Ballybough Mondo, meanwhile, showed fine early pace to lead around, and held his position, forcing the favourite to check as he tried to challenge at the third turn.

Amazing Dude could not get on terms thereafter, as Ballybough Mondo proved a length and a half too good, in 28.55, with Haughty Slippers in third.

Meanwhile Ballydoyle Honey was the star turn at Shelbourne Park once more when she streaked clear of her rivals to take Saturday night’s second semi-final of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks.

Drawn in trap six, the 1-2 favourite turned a close second behind Jumeirah Dancer and, though she didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs, moved to the front in the backstraight.

With overdrive engaged, the Graham Holland-trained bitch bounded clear of the chasing pack to post yet another wide-margin success – this time by eight lengths, from kennel companion Hovex Princess, in 28.18.

Ravenswood Emily caused a real upset when taking the first heat for Ger Barber and Derek Hatch. A 10-1 chance, she and 25-1 rank outsider Awaywitdepixies and Piercestown Lucy had a tremendous battle from the third turn.

There was little to separate them as they raced the final bends, but Ravenswood Emily, racing in the centre, touched the line a short head in front of Awaywitdepixies, in 28.81, with Piercestown Lucy a length back in third.

Derby champ Laughil Blake, trained by Michael O’Donovan, made a successful return in the closing race. The 1-3 favourite didn’t produce his best break, but quickened up to lead by a couple of lengths at the first turn. With some trouble behind, he scooted right away to win by 12 lengths, from Saint Anthony, in 29.64 (550).

The heats of the Gain 600 also took place, and Final Hawk got off to a winning start by leading early and doing just enough to fend off the late rush of Kirby Memorial winner Cable Bay by a head, in 32.57.

Tyrur Hagler took the second heat in good style. The 6-1 chance was in front and moving well when left a long way clear from the first turn. He stretched away to beat the staying-on Native Hut by six and a half lengths, in 32.51.

Saturday was the start of a very busy eight days for the English Derby hopefuls, and there was a big upset early as Quietly found trouble and trailed the field. Victory went to Geelo Vegas, who led all the way in 28.36.

The second race proved quite messy, but Teds Last was prominent throughout and emerged triumphant for Charlie Lister, in 28.30.

Coolavanny Jap was knocked over when looking a big player at the third bend, but there was better luck for his kennel companion Paradise Maverik, who qualified in second, and Droopys Nidge, who skipped around the third-bend melee to take the last qualifying spot.

Mark Wallis’ Evanta Evita led between the opening bends en route to a 28.38 victory in the fourth heat. In heat five, The Pat Buckley-trained Lenson Sanchez posted the fastest time of the night when leading all the way to beat Clares Wonder by four lengths, in 28.12.

Farloe Blitz didn’t trap well from trap one in the following heat but had the pace to take the lead from Newinn Yolo at the first bend. He then made the rest to score in 28.36.

The latter was bumped at the turn and failed to recover from the trouble, though record holder Eden The Kid caught the eye finishing well to take third place.

Paul Young’s Millwards Davy recorded a 16-1 upset in the sixth heat, posting 28.25, while Rio Quattro led at halfway and beat the Peter Cronin-trained Tynwald Bish by half a length, in 28.67.

In the final heat the Paul Hennessy-trained Jaytee Jet broke better than ever, turned close, and proved two and a quarter lengths too strong for Gaytime Hawk, in 28.27. Unfortunately, last year’s runner-up, Droopys Ward, sustained an injury late in the race.