Dave motors to new track record
With the times that had been clocked in the earlier rounds, it was almost inevitable that the track record would go at some stage during the competition and so it proved on Saturday night as the even money favourite blitzed his rivals.
Fast up, he was in complete control from early in the back straight.
Maglin Gold (slightly hampered by the winner at the second bend) and Polar Lad chased him for most of the way, but to no avail.
Both are decent performers (Maglin Gold had 28.37 to his credit previously) but Coolmona Dave just waltzed away from the pair down the back straight, eventually beating Polar Lad by seven and a half lengths.
The winner, who clocked a 3.33 trap-to-line and 15.03 halfway sectional, is jointly owned and trained by the Donoughmore, Co Cork, partnership of John Sexton and Mossie Corkery and has now won nine of his 12 career starts.
Slippery Bill came from behind to clock a career best 28.25 in the second semi-final. He tracked the fast starting Cold Calling to the third bend where he moved smoothly into the lead on the rails and then came clear in the straight for a four and a half length success.
The Maurice O’Connor trained dog is on a steady upward curve.
Disappointment of the race was even money favourite College Prime. He had come close to the old record in both the first and second rounds but, having been slowly away and then hampered by the winner at the second bend, he could only stay on from halfway to grab the third qualifying place.
The trap draw for Saturday’s Macroom Motors final is: 1 College Prime, 2 Slippery Bill, 3 Coolmona Dave, 4 Group Cheers, 5 Polar Lad, 6 Cold Calling (w).
The trap draw for the Southern Business final is: 1 Jeffs Heather, 2 Killerisk Lotto, 3 Crack of Leather, 4 Malbay Mill, 5 Glasha Prince, 6 Small Things.
Entries are being taken at the track for the Bookmakers Getting Out Stakes (29.00 - 525) next Saturday. Winner 500.
