IN the six-year-old HSI Development series, 20 combinations went to post. Leading the victory lap was Kilkenny’s Robin Carey riding his brother Adam Carey’s Luicruz. The combination delivered a clear in a time of 24.90 seconds. Bred by Sean Fahy, the winning mare is by Luidam out of the Puissance-sired All Cruz.
Kildare’s Nicola FitzGibbon played it safe with the Michael Kenny-owned Castlebridge Metro Du Carel (ISH) and it paid off as she delivered a double clear in 27.22 for second place. This combination also took the runner-up spot in the round at Tipperary.
Bred by Stephen Holland, the mare is by Metropole out of the Harlequinn Du Carel-sired Francis Girl.
A familiar face in these line-ups, Derek McConnell added to his tally as he took third place with Inlaws Manolo, clear in 27.96. This combination has been consistently placed in these classes, claiming the wins at Tipperary and Killossery Lodge as well as the runner-up place at Kernan’s.
Owned by Sorcha Hennessy and bred by Tomas Hester, this gelding is by Corland out of the Lord Z -sired Helena De Va Lie.
Young rider Emma McEntee was fractions behind with the Gortar Stables-owned Gortacar Suspicious Minds 005, clear in a time of 28.74 for eventual fourth place. Bred by Ralph Morgan, the gelding is by OBOS Quality 004 out of the Cruising-sired Walterstown Girl. This pair claimed victory in the round at Kernan’s in October.
Fifth place belonged to Alexandre Jose Pereira Travia dos Ramos Faustino and HHS Calgary, clear in 28.90. Owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd and bred by Marion Hughes, the gelding is by Luidam out of the Don Juan De La Bouverie-sired La Juanita.
Foot-perfect
Following her win in last week’s HSI/SJI Grand Prix in Portmore, Emily Turkington returned to take another place in this line-up. Riding Tricolor MB to take sixth, she lodged another foot-perfect performance in 29.56. Owned by Tricolor LLC & Twin Oaks Ventures LLC and bred by Shane Hanley, the gelding is by Numero Uno out of the Rocadero-sired Oxygene.