Kings headed to a land down under via the Kingdom There were great scenes at the number one spot following the 'Northfields' Premier Handicap at the Curragh last Sunday after Crystal Black landed the spoils. For runner-up Kingswood it was a case of what might have been but there's doubtless plenty to build on with the three-year-old grey. Colin Keane's 'late late show' on Crystal Black had his trainer father Gerry, part-owner Neville Eager, and the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate in raptures. Handler of Kingswood John O'Donoghue wasn't alone though, in thinking the ten furlong contest was done when his charge travelled well to lead inside the final quarter mile. Eventually mown down in the closing stages to lose out by a length and three parts, Kingswood now has an option at Listowel on Tuesday. Said O'Donoghue: "I'm going to put him into the nine-furlong Listed race in Listowel next week (Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes) but he is moving to Australia. "That was supposed to be his last run for me but I'm delighted with the way he's taken the race. He's bounced out of it and we'll consider Listowel." Victory in a big-money contest at his local venue would obviously have went down well with Currabeg-based O'Donoghue. He reflected: "We thought he had it done and we were a touch disappointed but he's run a good race and was only beaten by the favourite."
