Kellys dream of €75,000 bonus for ace Mitsy
Tuesday November 10 2009
Track bookmakers JP Moran and Trevor O'Donnell must have recouped most of their sponsorship money when 20/1 rank outsider Ballymac Mitsy won the Newbridge Oaks on Sunday evening.
There was no fluke whatsoever about the result as Ballymac Mitsy, trained by Pat and Derek Kelly for Liam Dowling, flashed out of the traps and went on to take the top prize by a head from Faypoint Lauren. The three favourites were all in the wars.
Pat Kelly, who was winning the event for the second time, said "I thought she could lead up and I couldn't believe the price. We had a few quid on her and now we can dream through the winter about the Irish Oaks and the €75,000 bonus that she will be chasing."
Sunday's other big prize was the Munster Puppy Cup and there was no surprise at Clonmel as the hot favourite Colorful Champ maintained his unbeaten progress through the competition and won by three and a half lengths from Golfus in 28.48.
Prospect
Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy confirmed that this great prospect will now go for the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake which will get under way on Thursday week.
The focus switches to Kilcohan Park this weekend where the final of the Red Mills Masters will be run on Saturday. This has turned into a hugely popular end-of-year feature and there is a very interesting line-up for the decider.
The final will feature a renewal of rivalry between Sevenheads Bay and Oran Classic, the first and second in the recent Cashmans Laurels final at Curraheen Park.
It will actually be their third meeting and Sevenheads has come out on top on both occasions. But Oran is due one of his flying starts from the traps and it could be quite a battle to the corner.
However, cases can be made for them all. St Louis Spirit was only narrowly beaten by Sevenheads in the semi with Global Hope a strong finishing third. Broadacres Turbo showed the superior early in winning the other semi from Ballymac Under and Oran Classic.
Elsewhere this week, the Ulster Champion Stakes commences at Drumbo Park on Thursday, while the first round of the Thurles Track Bookmakers Champion Bitch Stake will be run on Saturday.
Irish Independent
