Dairyland Tom delivers - but not in the manner expected
The Peter Cronin trainer dog, boasting a 50% strike rate (5/10) going into the race, was hammered from evens to 4/5 in the ring with one of the more prominent layers prepared to take on all and sundry.
He didn't get the 'screamer' he was looking for but there were a few hairy moments for Dairyland Tom's supporters nevertheless.
Moderately away, he was led into the bend by both Pencil Pusher and Moveen Doyler. He was four lengths down on the leading pair at halfway but an injection of pace by the favourite at this point saw him reel in the leaders by the third bend. He eased into the lead on the rails between the final two bends and ran on strongly in the in the straight to beat Castlelyons Cech by three lengths in another fastest of the round 28.44.
The draw for next Saturday's semi-finals of the AIB Stakes is - First semi-final: - 1. Pork Pie, 2. Badgers Approach, 3. Lyons Pride, 4. Tearaway Lady, 5. Tyrur Jackdaw, 6. Mulcar Jo.
2nd Semi Final - 1. Knocknakirka, 2. Short And Sweet, 3. Castlelyons Cech, 4. Movealong Alice, 5. Send It Goats, 6. Slieve Gulion.
3rd semi final - 1. Hailroad Prince, 2. Tappiocca Tom, 3. Tahina Prince, 4. Moveen Doyler, 5. Dairyland Tom, 6. Erins Boy.
The trap draw for the final of the Cork GOBA Past Presidents Stake, also next Saturday night, is: - 1. Well Done Lad, 2. Rooney, 3. Fornaught Honcho, 4. Yvonne’s Ranger, 5. Woodview Merson, 6. Bridepark Harry
A number of stakes and races are due to close in the coming days at Curraheen Park. Closing tomorrow are the e3,000 Red FM A3 550 and the Bookmakers Getting Out A1 550 to be run on Saturday.
The Cashmans Irish Laurels gets underway at the end of next month and in the meantime Cashmans Tuesdays at Youghal are proving a huge success once again. There are two weeks to go in this series and the Cashmans Bookmakers 700 will provide top class racing. The Getting Out A3 525 closes at the track tomorrow while the Cummins Sports Getting Out A2 525 to be run tomorrow week closes on Wednesday.
Entries for supporting races on Southern Oaks final night close tomorrow and these are A4, A5 & A6 525 as well as an A1 550. Also closing tomorrow is the Smiley Murphy A5 550 for 24 entries (Backgraders included) and a prize fund of €3,660.
Meanwhile this week is the busiest of the year at Tralee's Kingdom Stadium as they have their own Rose of Tralee celebrations.
In a hectic schedule, there will be racing each night from tomorrow until Saturday. Racing will commence at 7.50 each evening.
Highlight of the festival will be the final of the Pembroke Construction Rose of Tralee Stake on Wednesday.
The racing schedule at Limerick is about to revert to the old system. From next Monday, August 29th, the nights of racing at the Markets Field will be Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
