A SPECIAL NIGHT AT SHELBOURNE AS FESTIVAL DELIVERS IN SPADES

Ian Fortune

The Irish greyhound racing year came to the most incredible conclusion on Friday as the second night of the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival provided some of the most incredible performances of what was a stunning twelve months on the track.

Right from the outset, the racing was of the very highest quality, doing justice to this wonderful occasion. The presence of a number of UK based runners was a real addition and they more than held their own, winning two of the championship races, while Pat Guilfoyle recorded an incredible treble.

It was the type of night that leaves you wanting more, while the general consensus of those present was they’ll be back for the 2023 renewal.

ED LEAVES JUDGES REACHING FOR SUPERLATIVES

Ballinabola Ed is a galloping machine, of that there is no doubt. Brendan Murphy’s sensational son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady produced a magnificent display to win the grireland.ie Open 575.

His task was made somewhat easier when Magical Kuba cut inwards from trap four at boxes and found traffic but Ballinabola Ed probably didn’t need any help. Relishing the long run to the corner, the Pat Buckley trained superstar shot into a commanding lead.

By halfway, the result was beyond any doubt. Ballymac Johnjo again grew wings from halfway to come through for second spot but Ballinabola Ed confirmed his standing as one of the very best in the land with a facile eight and a half length victory in a rapid 30.72 given the conditions. 

JET POWERED MUSTANG

Less than a fortnight after suffering the most agonizing defeat in the final of the Leger at Limerick, Mustang Jet produced a stunning turn of early speed to emerge a brilliant winner of the Greyhound Racing Ireland Open 550.

This was al about early speed. Bobsleigh Dream flew from trap five to actually lead the field in the opening strides but couldn’t hold those on her flanks. She did have a huge say in the outcome, however, as she edged inwards, bumping Ballymac Finn and creating a lack of space on the inner.

Meanwhile, Paul Horig and Sean Bourke’s Mustang Jet was living up to his name on the outside of the track. Showing superior early speed to his rivals, he made full use of his draw to clear the corner before racing into a commanding lead as his rivals clashed.

Much like in the Leger decider, the Dolores Ruth trained son of Droopys Jet and Mustang Kay Cee found himself clear at hallway, only this time he was not going to be picked up. Callaway Pro Am initially gave chase but he was headed by Ballymac Finn into the third turn who, in turn, failed to contain Bobsleigh Dream. The Leger champ rocketed home but she couldn’t get close to Mustang Jet, who struck the line three and a half lengths clear in 29.68. Bobsleigh Dream was two lengths ahead of Ballymac Finn in second.

AZURRA A FAMOUS WINNER FOR THE UK

Patrick Janssens can start planning more raids across the Irish Sea after capturing the €10,000 on offer in the Winter Racing Festival Bitch 525 with the brilliant Fabulous Azurra.

The daughter of Magical Bale and Fabulous Artist, who is a sister to English Derby champ Romeo Magico, recently captured the British bred Derby for the second time and she carried her brilliant form across the pond. 

From an ideal draw on the fence, she was paw-perfect. Flashing from traps and showing superb early speed, she quickly found herself in daylight. Paradise Nikibel initially gave chase but Ballymac Run flew into the third turn to emerge the only realistic threat.

Fabulous Azurra is immensely strong, however, and as if sensing the danger, she kicked again at the final bend. Crossing the line two lengths clear for David Firmager in 28.42, she became the fourth Night of Stars/ Winter Racing Festival winner to be trained in the UK. Ballymac Run was second, while Raha Mofo flew home to finish just a half-length away in third. 

RUINART MAKES IT TWO FOR THE RAIDING PARTY

Diane Henry has trained some superstars over six and eight bends in the past and Savana Ruinart must rank amongst the very best.

The daughter of Kinloch Brae and Redzer Ruby was a truly brilliant winner of the Greyhounds Make Great Pets Open 750, providing the UK with a second winner on the card.

In victory, Savana Ruinart also provided Kevin Boothby with a second winner on the card following on from the success of Savana Hero earlier in the night. This was an easy race to describe. Savana Ruinart displayed the best early speed, increased her lead passing the stands and galloped all the way to the line.

Pablo Escobark displayed plenty of pace top come through for second but Savana Ruinart was in a league of her own, crossing the line six lengths to the good in a superb 41.39.

KOBE SLAM DUNKS ON RIVALS

The Other Kobe provided Jennifer O’Donnell with the perfect end to the most memorable of years as he shot clear to make every inch in the Find Us On Facebook Open 525.

In a year when Born Warrior won the Derby for O’Donnell from the front, the Other Kobe did exactly the same, never seeing another rival as he emerged a facile scorer.

Signet Goofy was second early but was carried wide off the second turn by One Time Only. This allowed the Other Kobe to increase his already impressive advantage. In truth, the second half of the contest was no more than a procession for The Other Kobe.

Owned by Brian Clare and David L’estrange, the son of Ballymac Best and Mountaylor Queen cruised home to record a most impressive six and a half length success in a fast 28.37. One Time Only was second with Kilgraney Sydney another length and a half adrift in third.  

MARY BRINGS THE CURTAIN DOWN

Not for the first time on the big occasion, Pat Guilfoyle was the man to follow as he recorded a stunning treble.

Both Cornetto and Magical Poppy had won in style before Magical Mary ran out a wonderful winner of the finale, the Slan Abhaile Open 600.

Those that took the generous odds available about the daughter of Droopys Jet and Mystical Moll never had a moment’s worry as she flashed from trap three to make every inch. Bens Teddy did show massive pace and power to come out of the pack to chase Magical Mary but, as she had one in her previous start at Limerick, she held Bens Teddy on the long run home.  

Jointly owned by Pat himself and Alice Guilfoyle, Magical Mary provide the perfect finish to proceedings by crossing the line a length to the good over Bens Teddy in 32.18. Droopys Nice One was two lengths adrift in third.

POPPY SIGNS OUT IN STYLE

Pat Guilfoyle confirmed to the RPGTV cameras and Rob Catterson early in the evening that win, lose or draw, the Open 850yd contest would be the final start of Magical Poppy’s racing career and, as fate would have it, she rallied late to sign out in brilliant fashion.

This was a wonderful contest with a few different pace-setters at various points of the contest. Good April found herself in front passing the stands but couldn’t contain magical Poppy, who in turn was headed at the fifth bend by Jacktavern Bella.

At this point in the contest, Jacktavern Bella looked certain to go on to score but Donal Guilfoyle’s Magical Poppy was determined to sign out on a winning note. Digging deep, the daughter of Confident Rankin and Cabra Twister came roaring back at the leader on the run in, powering up the straight to score by three lengths in 48.05. Jacktavern Bella was second with Kilara Zoe running on well for third, a further two and a half lengths adrift.

MCCOOL TAKES ADVANTAGE

Mccool Blue came home in front in the open Sprint at the cruel expense of Serene Ace.

The latter seemed destined to race to an impressive success but sadly lost his action off the second turn when clear of his rivals.

It meant that Mccool Blue, who was a good second into the bend, was left in front. Owned jointly by David Mccool and Shea Campbell, the son of Ballymac best and Ballymac Natalie raced on to a two length victory over Sunshine Tiger in 18.74.

DUKE REIGNS AFTER A THRILLER

On a night of wonderful finishes, Clona Duke, Bogger Hunter and Trinity Junior provided one of the best in the Juvenile 525 with the first named just getting the better of his rivals.

Bogger Hunter flashed from boxes to lead early but he drifted off his rails pitch to allow Kevin O’Brien’s Clona Duke challenge on his inner.

This set up an incredible buckle. The Graham Holland trained Clona Duke (Malachi/ Coolavanny Pearl) had the inside line on Bogger Hunter but the pair couldn’t be separated. Trinity Junior was just behind the duo in third and looked a serious threat.

Incredibly, the trio continued to do battle up the home straight and the judge had to call on a photo. Despite taking a bump in the closing yards, Juvenile Derby winner Clona Duke held on to score by a short head from Bogger Hunter in 28.48. Trinity Junior also played a big part in making this one of the most memorable races on the card, finishing a half-length back in third. 

RAVEN TAKES FLIGHT DOWN THE BACK

Tullig Raven collected a superb €5,000 for landing the RCETS Syndicate Owned 550, showing wonderful back straight pace to take charge into the third turn.

Roxholme Duke went up fastest but was nudged out of the way by the advancing Deadly Showtime.

With Dead.ly Showtime opening up a lane on the fence, Tullig Raven was soon in chase and when the new leader edged off the fence, his pursuer saw his chance. Moving through the gears to halfway, Tullig Raven slipped up the inside to lead on the third turn. Deadly Showtime did rally on the run in but there was no stopping the Foots In The Door Syndicate owned Tullig Raven.

The Pat Buckley trained son of Droopys Sydney and Hail Cleopatra stayed on strongly to emerge a two length winner over Dealy Showtime in 30.12.

JUST ONE CORNETTO

Cheryl Sutcliffe and Pat Guilfoyle have had a remarkably successful partnership in recent years and Cornetto provided the duo with a festival winner in the second race, the Open Bitch 525.

Making a flying start from four, she was soon in command.

Once turning in front, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Honey was never going to be pressured. Millridge Dolly chased her down the back straight but could never get close enough to land a glove and Cornetto powered home to cross the line five lengths clear in a rapid 28.26. Millridge Dolly was second. In victory, Cornetto initiated a treble for her handler that was later completed by Magical Poppy and Magical Mary.   

HERO GETS LOOSE

Savanna Hero is a potent force when he gets loose at the head of affairs and that’s exactly what happened in the Open 550, sixth race.

Owned jointly by Brendan Matthews and Kevin Boothby, the son of Droopys Sydney and Follys View powered into the turn to take up the running and he proceeded to dominate thereafter.

Millridge Bryce stayed on well to take second but there was no stopping Savana Hero as he came home four lengths to the good in 29.92.

SYDNEY BEATS SYDNEY IN A THRILLER

There was a tremendous finish to the opening contest with Una Creed’s Galloping Sydney and Stream Of Sydney flashing past the post locked in battle.

It was left up to the judge to separate the pair with the nod eventually going to the former.

The Graham Holland trained Galloping Sydney displayed fine early speed up the middle of the track to lead around the corner and seemed to be in complete control but Stream Of Sydney had other ideas.

Once winning the battle for second down the back straight, she began to close on the leader. Galloping Sydney did close the door somewhat at the third turn but Stream Of Sydney came roaring back at the pace-setter on the run-in. In a desperate finish, Galloping Sydney held on by the shortest of short heads in a fast 28.42.