CHARLIE RED-HOT IN WEADICK 725

Ian Fortune

It is pretty clear by his performance in Friday’s semi-finals of the TP Weadick Open 725 at Kilkenny that Tuono Charlie is now firmly established as one of the best stayers around after just three attempts at a six bend trip.

The two semis went to Tuono Charlie and Ballymac Katie but the headlines firmly belong with the former as he maintained his unbeaten record over staying trips with a wide margin success over two very talented stayers in the second heat. 

Breaking smartly from trap three, the Sharon Hunt trained star quickly assumed control. Getting loose into the bend, he quickly put distance between himself and Glengar Priscila. By the time he was passing the stands, the son of Good News and Farronrory Bonny was almost five lengths clear.

Twofourone moved second approaching the third turn but there was little he could do to halt the leader’s momentum. Maintaining a relentless gallop throughout, Tuono Charlie raced to a facile six and a half length victory over Twofourone in a very fast 40.42. Kinturk Road overcame a slow start to take third, a further five lengths adrift. The winner’s time was the fastest at the venue since 2019.

KATIE SIMPLY TOO STRONG

The opening heat was a marriage of differing styles with Ballymac Opera attempting to burn off her rivals with a display of real speed, while her kennel companion Ballymac Katie came from off the pace with a thundering finish to emerge a comfortable winner.

Ballymac Opera was soon clear of her rivals after a fast start from the outside of the track but the wheels were to come off in the latter stages. Despite building a sizeable lead, it was clear she was going to be picked up as Ballymac Katie, waiting for the gaps to appear, shot into second spot approaching the fifth bend.

Once getting daylight, Liam Dowling’s hugely powerful daughter of Ballymac Anton and Ballymac Merkle flew. Making up six lengths within fifty yards, she struck the front at the final turn before easing right away to win by five lengths in 41.00. Lisdaleen Range and Peters Sydney, a further two and a half lengths back, came through to take the qualifying spots.

T.P Weadick Open 725

Final draw

1 LISDALEEN RANGE

2 PETERS SYDNEY

3 TUONO CHARLIE

4 BALLYMAC KATIE

5 KINTURK ROAD

6 TWOFOURONE (M)