Third time lucky for Spruce Hunter
Although led from slips in the final by Billy Cashman’s (Tralee) Pony Magic, he soon took it up and went on to take the vital turn by six lengths.
There was also an all-Kerry final to the Derby Trial Stake, with John Galvin taking the honours with Beaufort Flyer. In an exciting final he held on to win by a narrow margin against Pat McElligott’s (Ballyheigue) Castletown Boy.
The winner got the best of the break from slips but Castletown Boy mounted a strong challenge as they neared the hare. However Beaufort Flyer held on to take the vital turn on a just up decision.
Nanny Fox, a winner of the Pike Stakes at the Mitchelstown meeting and unlucky in her trial stake adventure so far, eventually came good in the Reserves Oaks Trial Stake for owners Christy and Evelyn Cody from Tallow, Co. Waterford.
In the final she raced away from slips to have an eight lengths advantage at the escape over Zero Target, jointly owned by Sean and Thomas O’Keeffe from Lixnaw. Co. Kerry.
The West Cork Derby was won in good style by Michael Spillane’s (Bantry) Loch Bo Rico, who had to come from behind to get the better of Look Who’s Coming.
Judge. L. Kelly. Slipper. T. Murphy.
Jades Dilemma and Big Fella Thanks All-Aged Stake (16). Quarter-Finals. Loch Bo Magic 3l bt Low Darky; Spruce Hunter 1l bt Scotch Blossom; Team Ranger 2l bt Decs Ranger; Pony Magic 1/2l bt Allformegrog.
Semi-Finals. Spruce Hunter 1l bt Loch Bo Magic; Pony Magic 2l bt Team Ranger.
Final. Master D. Bourke’s (Castleisland) f.d. Spruce Hunter (Faithful Hunter-Queen of Thomond) 6l bt B. Cashman’s (Tralee) bd.d. Pony Magic (Micks Magic-Pony Sarah).
Derby Trial Stake (64). Semi-Finals. Castletown Boy 2l bt Bolt The Door; Beaufort Flyer 2l bt Bad Day.
Final. J. Galvin’s (Beaufort) w.f. Beaufort Flyer (Tullamore-Prima Laura) j.u. bt P. McElligott’s (Ballyheigue) f. Castletown Boy (Castletown Oak-Princess Of Gold).
Reserve Oaks Trial Stake (24). Quarter-Finals. Wake Up Kate 1l bt Collar And Tie; Zero Target 2l bt Lady On First; Nanny Fox 1l bt Sunshine Sadie
Semi-Finals. Zero Target j.u. bt Wake Up Kate; Nanny Fox a bye.
Final. C & Mrs. E. Cody’s (Tallow) w.f. Nanny Fox (Tullamore-Together Again) 8l bt S & T. O’Keeffe’ (Lixnaw) f. Zero Target (Killucan House-Lassa Lass).
West Cork Derby (16 Two-Course). Final. M. Spillane’s (Bantry) bk.d. Loch Bo Rico (Loch Bo Nitro-Loch Bo Cedar) 1.1/2l bt Family Affair Syndicate’s (Bantry) bk.w.d. Look Who’s Coming (Droopy Vieri-Westpark Python).
Inter-Club Stake (8 Two-Course). Final. W. Guiney’s (Millstreet) bd.d. Forgive And Forget (Whytanyard Moon-Blonde Conquered) 8l bt N. Cunningham’s (Fermoy) w.bk.d.Scotch Blackbird (Scotch Rhapsody-Three of Tender).
Des Williams Memorial Working Members Stake (16 Two Course). Final. J & N. Hallissey’s (Clonakilty) bd.b. Kilty Flavour (Judicial Affair-Kilty Queen) 5l bt G. O’Neill’s (Clonakilty) bk.b. West Cork Jewel (Spiral Nikita-Cornea Fancy).
