SUPERB DISPLAYS ACROSS THE SHELBOURNE CARD
Ian Fortune
There was a bit of everything at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but the common factor across the eleven-race card was quality. From start to finish, the racing was of a wonderful standard and we saw some notable performances including a couple of massive runs in the four finals up for decision, a top- class debut and potentially a few classic clues.
OWER A DUAL DISTANCE CRACKER
The final of the Upcoming Yvonne Barry 600 Dual Distance was the feature, however, and it is easily described. Ower Cracker, who was impressive in the semis, broke fastest from five, was in front within strides and went on to make every inch.
Kilbrennan Clan edged inwards from four, leaving the Pat Buckley trained Ower Cracker extra room to race in five but he scarcely needed it. Owned by JE and Tony Harvey, the son of Deerjet Sydney and Nice Mystery seems to really appreciate the longer run to the turn and the extra space it affords him.
Robbies Galaxy did emerge from the pack to give chase but Ower Cracker cruised home three lengths clear of his rival in 32.14.
RED HOT SEVEN BEACH
After winning the Derby in each of the last two years, Jennifer O'Donnell may feel Seven Beach is worthy of another crack at the blue riband after a brilliant victory in the final of the RCETS App Dula Distance over 550yds.
Owned by the Beach Boys Trio Syndicate, the son of Pestana and Whitings Gift was nothing short of dominant. Going up fastest, he led from pillar to post to contain the always second De Foxy Devil. Aside from showing fine early speed, Seven Beach also ran right to line to emerge a superb three and a half-length winner over his rival in a brilliant fastest of the year 29.18.
TOTILAS SURPRISES DISCO
Totilas may have been second choice in the market for the final of the Barking Buzz App A2 Dual Distance but his success came as a bit of a shock. Deadly Disco was a hot favourite but he didn’t look particularly happy to find company at the opening and third turns although he did show massive pace in defeat.
Totilas was disputing second into the turn but ran off the corner. This caused traffic for much of the field, including Deadly Disco, who had eased his stride just before the crowding. Chelsea Pat was left in front but Kilgraney Run and Totilas were soon in chase.
The latter displayed the best back straight of the trio to power past the pair on the third turn. In a matter of strides, Javier Jarne’s son of Droopys Sydney and Clonbrien Millie put the result beyond doubt, shooting into a clear lead by the final turn. Deadly Disco did come home fast to take second but the Dave Bourke trained Totilas had flown and he went on to win by three lengths in 32.94.
JASMAN LEADS HOME A 1-2 FOR GERRY
Gerry Merriman had the first two home in the final of the Go Greyhound Racing A1 Bitch 525 with Highview Jasman getting the better of her fast-starting kennel companion Coolemount Trust down the back straight.
Turning second, Dolores Merriman's Highview Jasman (Pat C Sabbath/ Highview Ivy) was too lively for the early leader and took control into the third turn. From there she was never under any serious pressure as she stayed on to secure a comfortable length and a half victory in a quick 28.28.
SENSATIONAL DEBUT FOR INFERNO
Racing commenced in tremendous fashion with Kilara Inferno making a magical debut for Philip O'Keefe and Michael Donnelly. Not only did the son of Ballymac Bolger and Kilara Jessie dominate from the start but he also posted one of the fastest times ever recorded on debut, coming home clear in a blistering 28.12.
This was over from the opening strides. Breaking smartly, the September '22 whelp clearly meant business. By the turn he had a clear advantage and he kept his foot on the pedal to ease further ahead down the back straight.
Cruising home, Kilara Inferno made a huge impression as he emerged a four length winner over the eye-catching Gilbally Dolly.
MURT COMPLETES DOUBLE WITH BRILLIANT SYD
Racing ended with Tribal Syd completing a wonderful double for Murt Leahy in brilliant fashion. The Tipperary Cup winner was sent to traps the 4-6 favourite and those odds looked mighty generous after a few strides.
Martin Costigan’s son of Droopys Sydney and Myahs Friend was electric. Rocketing to the turn, he entered the back straight with daylight on his rivals. Maireads Prince gave chase throughout but had no answer to Tribal Syd. Unlike the Dundalk International when picked up late, Tribal Syd ran right to the line to score by four lengths over Maireads Prince in 29.32.
KAMARI SHOOTS CLEAR
Early speed was certainly the key to success for the wonderfully professional Droopys Kamari in the seventh race, an AO Bitch 525. In victory she initiated Murt Leahy’s superb double. The daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Hunch looked the certain leader and she didn't disappoint.
Moving through the gears as soon as she hit the sand, Pat Nagle’s Droopys Kamari entered the back straight with a commanding lead. Both Highview Scan and Fahy Hazel stayed on well in defeat but neither could get close to threatening the rampant Droopys Kamari, who took the victory by a length and a half in 28.26.
A ZIPPY RUN FROM CANNING
Zippy Canning drove the opening turn to land the spoils in the sole sprint on the card. Born Racer was fastest into stride and led to the turn but was being gathered in as the bend approached.
That led to traffic on the inner, leaving Zippy Canning in the perfect position to strike. Paula Hoban's talented son of Ballymac Best and Cherry Lane was upsides on the outside of the track and he suddenly found himself clear. Once going to the front, he raced right away to emerge a very easy eight length winner over Pavilion Fire in a fast 18.59.
EMILY TOO STRONG FOR BLUE
Crescent Emily looked very strong in the penultimate race over 575yds, finishing at speed to collar long-time leader Glenlara Blue on the line. The latter found a way to skip around in front and seemed destined to score when racing clear of his rivals into the back straight but Crescent Emily had other ideas.
Representing David Flanagan and Gabriel Horan, the daughter of Good News and Killenaulerocket stayed in touch in second before starting to close the gap as they approached the third turn. Two lengths down at this point, she was a length behind as they straightened for home. Finishing with real purpose, Crescent Emily got up to beat Glenlara Blue by a half length in 31.04.
DEBOSS FOLLOWS UP
After impressing eight days earlier, Ballymac Deboss made it two wins on the bounce in the sixth race for Ian Reilly and owner Bengt-Ake Johansson. This was very much a two-dog affair with Ballymac Deboss and Urban Flight both flying from traps to battle it out throughout.
Ballymac Deboss (Ballymac Cashout/ Jaytee Pearl) moved on at the turn but Urban Flight was always nipping at his heels. The latter came again on the run in but Ballymac Deboss kept finding to hold on by a neck in 28.33.
RONNIE COMES OUT ON TOP
Dapper Ronnie was a good winner for John Cummins of the A2 second race, in turn bringing his tally to five wins from seven starts. Gunner Zombie led early but Dapper Ronnie turned too close.
Taking over into the third turn, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Dapper Daisy went on to score by four lengths from Belfast Marty in 28.53.