PRINCE FASTEST AND DUBLIN CUP DELIGHTS

Ian Fortune

Friday’s racing at Shelbourne Park offered up some tremendous fare with the second round of the Dublin Cup making up much of the card.

There were many fine performances but that of Miami Prince as he set the standard was a stand out.

PRINCE REIGNS SUPREME

Not only did Miami Prince clock the fastest time but he also had to overcome a little adversity.

After a moderate start from a tricky draw in five, he had to edge across to the fence before turning fourth behind the fast starting, strong running Early News.

It looked for all the world that Early News was going to take some catching but Miami Prince was clearly in determined mood for Tom O’Donnell, Johnny Donohoe and handler Garry Dempsey. Once slipping into third along the fence at the second bend, he had the leaders in his sights. Charging into the third turn, the son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Doll shot up the inside of the front two, Early News and Ardnasool Arc. With the rails pitch in his favour, Miami Prince powered into a clear lead. Early News rallied to grab second back on the run in but Miami Prince struck the line four lengths to the good in a fast 28.63.  

LA BARBARO FOLLOWS UP IN STYLE

After a comfortable trap to line victory in the opening round, the Michael Corr trained La Barbaro followed up with a pretty identical display in the opening heat.

Again taking charge in the early yards, the son of Deerjet Sydney and Velvet Spring was always in complete control.

Rathanny Mopsey stayed on well to take second but the Roy Ball and Trevor Pearson owned La Barbaro ran out a ready three length winner in a fast 28.65.

WINDOW GETS HER HEAD IN FRONT

After setting a strong standard in the opening round, Newline Fortune was expected to come home in front in Heat 5 and everything seemed to be going to plan when he hit the lids to turn three lengths in front.

Headinthewindow had other ideas, however. The latter was seeking a fourth win on the bounce and clearly she had the bit between her teeth. Closing fractionally to the third turn, she readied herself for a big move on the run in. Trained by Murt Leahy for Michael O’Donovan, the daughter of Good Cody and Drifting Abbey did indeed come home strongly to get up late to deny Newline Fortune by three parts of a length in 28.67.

QUEEN DOMINATES

The final heat of the round saw just four going to traps and Gallant Queen made the most of the extra space to get loose at the head of affairs.

Ollie Bray’s progressive daughter of Pestana and Slippery Diva was quickly in charge and she proceeded to make every yard.

Ballybough Carol kept the leader honest but Gallant Queen ran right to the line to hold her rival by a length in 28.69.

ROCKY KO’S RIVALS

Edermine Rocky was too sharp for his rivals in Heat 7, showing fine early dash into the corner to clear those drawn on her inside.

Once going around in front, Thomas and Pat O’Gorman’s son of Cushie Jet and Edermine Cooper was never threatened.

Terrific Intent came from out of the pack to take second but Edermine Rocky was in a league of his own, coming home two and a half lengths clear in 28.85.  

DAWN TOO STRONG

Maori Man seemed certain to land the spoils in Heat 6 when getting loose at the head of affairs but impressive opening round scorer Knockeen Dawn had other ideas, running on with gusto to take control in the closing yards.

Daniel O’Rahilly’s daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Island was never to far back but had to better Rushview Blue to get a crack at the pace-setter in the second half of the contest. She moved second on her own into the third turn before bridging the gap to the leader.

With Maori Man swinging wide at the final turn, Knockeen Dawn made her move up his inner. Showing plenty of strength, the promising March ’22 puppy came through to win by a length in 28.95.

ROSE BLOOMS

Hello Rose claimed the second heat for Andy Hogan, showing speed into the turn to just clear Innfield Cooper.

The latter was forced w2ide, badly hampering Stefans Kid and allowing the leader increase her advantage.

In fairness to Hello Rose, she seized her opportunity, further increasing her lead to halfway before coasting home a comfortable winner. The daughter of Burgess Bucks and Holycross Heidi came home four and a half lengths in front of Stefans Kid in 29.09. 

CANON FIRES TO LEAD LATE

There was an eventful finish to Heat 4 with Burgess Canon getting up in the final strides to deny the distracted Blastoff Hoffa.

Sunshine Harbour set a strong gallop but was pestered by Stuie Griffin for much of the way before the duo faded on the run in.  

Burgess Canon, who was third down the back straight, drew closer off the final turn to get up late for Paraic Campion, Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly. The massive son of Droopys Sydney and Burgess Helena saw off the fast finishing Blastoff Hoffa by a head in 29.17. The runner-up was subsequently suspended.