AS the Mervue Equine Leinster Tour comes close to conclusion, Eddie Moloney strengthened his position on the leaderboard as he took the win in the 1.35m section last Saturday at Mullingar Equestrian Centre. Riding Cruicerath Flexianna, he lodged the winning clear in 32.99 seconds. Moloney has been a consistent contender in this league, claiming the runner-up position in the opening round at Barnadown, the win in Coilog and third in the round at Tattersalls.
Gerard Clarke put his first points on the board when he slotted into second place with Patrick and Clare Sutton’s Lupins Lux Z, clear in 33.06. Not content with the win, Moloney returned with Quiara M to take third when he kept everything in place in a time of 33.42. This 15-year-old Quidam’s Rubin-sired mare was also campaigned by her owner Kayleigh Soden up to 1.35 level.
Placed fourth in the round at the Flavours of Fingal show, Edward Doyle Jnr added to his points when he was less than a second behind Moloney with Cruise Mor, clear in 34.68 for eventual fourth. Consistently placed in this league, Paul Carberry added to his points tally when he partnered Cranny West into fifth, clear in 35.81. This partnership had previously claimed the win at Ballivor and finished third in Tattersalls.
Completing the top-six line-up were Katie Conlon and Ping Ball, clear in 36.83. It was a good outing for Conlon as she also claimed the runner-up place with Ping Ball in the 1.30m the previous day.
1.20m
Leading the victory lap in the Mervue Equine 1.20m earlier in the day was Nicholas Butler riding Pacco Lion, clear in 29.02. Owned by Butler, this six-year-old gelding is by Pacino out of the Errigal Flight mare Kariga Lion. Eddie Moloney got his campaign off to a good start as he took the runner-up place with Nike when he kept all the poles in the cups in 29.39. Winners of the Mervue 1.20m and 1.35m at Tattersalls, Paul Carberry and Brandonview First Edition were back in the ribbons, this time slotting into third with a faultless performance in 29.74. This combination went on the next day to take fourth in the Forever Equestrian 1.20m class.
Moloney was back in the ribbons when taking fourth with Peter O’Toole’s five-year-old Cobra-sired mare Ardkyle First Edition, clear in 30.51. Accounting for fifth place was Roscommon rider Cora Sharkey who was riding Francis Derwin’s AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, clear in 30.75, ahead of Isabel Fitzpatrick and Newmarket Valentine, clear in 31.
1.10m
The winner of the 1.10m section was Offaly’s Aoife Healion and Jandini Van De Moeren who delivered the winning clear in 31. Over two seconds behind and slotting into second was Antoinette Burns and Castlelawn Splendid, clear in 33.20. Eoghan Murphy and Bishopcourt were third, clear in 34.46, while Lisa Gerbola Bushaway and Hello Miss Moneypenny were fourth (35.21). Little separated the next placing as Johnnie Fitzpatrick and Saunders Beach Ball Cruise crossed the line with nothing to add in 35.36. Dominic Curley’s decision to play it safe with Imora paid off as he crossed the line clear in 37.74 for sixth.
LIAM O’Meara dominated in the Forever Equestrian-sponsored 1.20m final producing a very fast jump-off time of 26.88 aboard Curraghgraigue Jack Take Flight, well ahead of runner-up Louis Delplace and the five-year-old mare DHF Lift Off (Harlequin de Carel – Mr Clover) in 28.17.
The six-year-old Admiran Xena (Je T’Aime Flamenco – Clover Hill), ridden by Cormac Rafferty, slotted into third place in 28.26, while Paul Carberry and Brandonview First Edition were fourth in 29.67.
Fifth was Lisboy Emerald (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof – Lux Z) with Cora Sharkey in 29.79, while sixth place went to the Dutch-bred Easton Scala G and Louis Gates Hardiman 31.25.
FIONA Mullins and Blaencwm Jester won the 1.10m Forever Equestrian final on Sunday. The pair stopped the clock in a time of 28.61, over six seconds faster than second-placed Admiran Picasso (Van Gogh – HHS BR Charlton) and Cormac Rafferty (34.81). Ballynoe Clinton Jack (Clinton Jack – Ars Vivandi) and James O’Reilly were third in 34.90, while Class Act Z (Chipindale Z – Concorde) and Padraic Kelly took fourth in 36.82. John Mulligan and Katrina’s Boy posted a time of 37.54 to earn fifth place, while the final and sixth place went to Last Minute Van Overis and Katie O’Brien in 39.64.