PROMISING BELLA SIMPLY TOO STRONG
Ian Fortune
Jacktavern Bella took Friday’s feature at Shelbourne Park, storming home to emerge a superb winner of the Retired Greyhound Trust A2 Bitch 525.
Reckless Nanny was favourite after an impressive semi final effort but se found all manner of traffic and was never a factor.
Instead, Ballintine Misty shot from trap four to set a strong gallop. She built a clear advantage before the second turn and seemed likely to come home in front but Jacktavern Bella had very different thoughts. Despite missing the kick and finding herself a long way behind, she took off down the back straight to challenge on the third turn.
Despite finding a little traffic at this point, the Graham Holland trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Lemon Ariana moved to the front before pulling right away to win by four lengths from Ballintine Misty in 28.87.
The winner, who is owned by the Pillar Syndicate, is clearly going to stay further in the future but, in the meantime, has the pace to turn into a Puppy Oaks contender, especially if her starting improves.
LEO FOOT-PERFECT AGAIN
The semi finals of the RCETS A1 550 were also won in fine style.
Leinster Leo was at his professional best in the opening heat, flashing from trap three to dictate throughout. Trained by Geoff Bateman or the MP Syndicate, the son of Skywalker Farloe and La Linea always had Ringthemoon at arm’s length and he went on to beat said rival by a length in 29.83.
COCOONER GIVES RIVALS ROOM
Al Hanley’s Cocooner won the second heat in similar fashion.
The son of Droopys Jet and Ballyrobin Venus flashed from trap three to make every inch. Glory Katy did close throughout but could never get to the leader. Cocooner won by a length in 30.05.
NIFTY CAN REALLY RUN
Simon Taylor’s Newinn Nifty, as a full sister to Newinn Taylor, was always expected to be useful but she continued her rapid rise up the ranks in the opening round of the This Runs Deep A2 525, showing blistering early dash to come home a wide margin winner of the opening heat.
The Graham Holland trained daughter of Droopy Buick and Newinn Expert sems to be really getting the hang of things and it was particularly evident as she raced clear of her rivals. On the line, Newinn Nifty had an incredible eleven lengths to spare over Ballymac Runner in a rapid 28.50.
FERNANDES IMPRESSES ON IRISH DEBUT
Fernandes was another very impressive heat winner, storming through a gap on the third turn to strike the front.
Brendan Matthews’ son of Droopys Sydney and Follys View was having his first start on Irish soil after showing real promise in the early rounds of the English Puppy Derby as a raw pup.
In what was his first start sine December, he missed the kick and found himself behind Nitro Anto and we All Matter but a superb turn of back straight pace saw him close rapidly into the third turn before shooting through to lead on the fence.
From there Fernandes eased on to win by four and a half lengths in 28.66. Nitro Anto was second. It’s clear the winner has the pace to be a top class performer in the future.
SID TOO SHARP
The remaining heat saw Benny Treanor’s Rossmore Sid make all after a fast start.
The son of Droopy Sydney and Quivershillcroft was challenged by Storys Archie in the second half of the contest but he dug in to score by a length in 28.93.
FLICKOFACOIN A PROSPECT
Racing commenced with a very promising display from newcomer, Flickofacoin.
Trained by David Murray for Thomas Glynn, the son of Droops Sydney and Lemon Stacey entered many notebooks when coming home in front in 28.63.
Born Warrior held a narrow lead early and seemed the more likely scorer but Flickofacoin displayed the superior back straight pace to take control. Both Born Warrior and Townview Syd attempted to come back at the leader but there was no stopping the promising Flickofacoin, who stayed on well to secure a very impressive three length victory. It’s clear the winner has a bright future.
A DOUBLE FOR DAVID
David Murray later completed a fine double with Kildallon Tilly leading early to win the third race.
The well-bred daughter of Droopy Sydney and Mags Image was never headed as she came home a length to the good over Boothebest in 28.86.
JUSTYNA GOES QUICK
On a night of numerous wonderful displays, Justynas Pet was one of the very best as she returned to top form to dominate in second race.
Matt Bergin’s daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Kia shot from trap four and never saw another rival as she coasted home a most impressive two and a half length scorer over Faypoint Star in 28.58.