SOME SUPERB SHELBOURNE DISPLAYS

Ian Fortune

Saturday’s card at Shelbourne Park featured some superb performances, including two wonderful finishes to the two finals up for decision.

Mikeys Millie and Droopys Edel both led late to land their respective finals, while the stars on the undercard were Castleivy Ginge and Blackstone Lacey.

BRILLIANT EDEL DOES IT THE HARD WAY

The final of the RCETS Open 525 was a wonderful spectacle with Droopys Edel producing a massive run to come from a mile off the pace to land the €2,000 prize.

The Ian Reilly trained daughter of King Sheeran and Droopy Hunch missed the start and was only fifth to the turn.

In contrast Capitan Garfio went up fastest to set the pace around the opening two bends. Point Of Rescue and Ballymac Marcia both looked threatening down the back straight but Droopys Edel found a seam up the fence and made full use of it.

Staying tight to the inside of the track, Sean Dunphy’s charge flew to the third turn to move second on the third turn. Point Of Rescue was now in front but he left a gap on his inner, allowing Droopys Edel to pounce. Leading off the final bend, Droopys Edel went on to see off the staying on Ballymac Marcia by three lengths in 28.66. It was a remarkable run by the winner and one that would highlight the fact that she could be a major force in 2024.

MILLIE LEADS LATE FOR DUAL DISTANCE SUCCESS

The final of the This Runs Deep A1 550/575 Dual Distance went right down to the wire with Michael Whelan’s Mikeys Millie pouncing under the shadow of the spot to deny the long-time pace-setter Annie On Faya.   

This quickly turned into a two-dog contest with Annie On Faya flying into the turn to set a strong pace. Mikeys Millie slipped around second with a gap to the remainder. By the third turn it was clear that Mikeys Millie was ready to make her move. Annie On Faya continued to find out front but it wasn’t quite enough. Mikeys Millie really pinned her ears back and ran right to the line. In a desperate finish, Mikeys Millie got up in the closing yards to win by a half-length from Annie On Faya in 31.16.

EXCITING GINGE GOES FAST

There was no faster winner on the night than Castleivy Ginge in the eighth race as she followed up her recent 28.67 success with a brilliant 28.30 return.

Michael and Noel Nash’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Pennys Baccata may be two and a half years of age but her rapid progression is more like that of an exciting puppy.

Once again, a most impressive turn of early speed carried her clear into the turn and the Karol Ramsbottom trained bitch was never under any pressure thereafter. Nellys Twink gave chase throughout but it was futile. Castleivy Ginge raced to a superb eight length victory. She is clearly a very talented type and is certainly one to keep on the right side of in the near future.

LACEY TOO GOOD

Blackstone Lacey was sent to traps a 2-5 favourite in the finale over 550yds and fully justified her restrictive odds by emerging an easy winner for Michael O’Donovan and Pat Sinnott.

The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan was soon in command and she proceeded to draw clear of her rivals for a superb six length victory in 29.61. Tuono Charlie ran on strongly to grab second on the line.

HUKUM IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE

There was no easier winner on the card than the Fantasy Syndicate owned Hukum (Good News/ Early Rise) in the open 750.

Sent off a red-hot favourite, it was clear from the early yards the layers were spot on. The Adam Dunford trained star was in a different league to his rivals, breaking smartly to dominate from the outset.

A country mile in front by halfway, his stride did shorten somewhat in the latter stages but he still ran out a facile eleven length scorer over Ballybreen Blaze in 41.90. 

FOGGY LANDS LUCKY PUNTER A WINDFALL

One lucky punter picked up over €5,000 by claiming the Connect 6 Jackpot following the victory of Foggy Bottom in the final leg.

Laurence Jones’ son of Ballymac best and Corduff Flame is blessed with wonderful early speed and he quickly found himself in the driving seat.

Bymystandard was the nearest rival to Foggy Bottom in the opening half of the contest but he was never going to get to the leader. Instead, Scotty Scheffler emerged from the pack to go second in the latter stages but it was all too late. Foggy Bottom went on to score by three parts of a length in a rapid 28.57.

GOT THIS IN FLYING FORM

We Got This continued his superb run of form to win the penultimate race on the card or owners Amanda Meade and Sean Roche.

Mr Skinny Legs dragged the field around but he was always under pressure with We Got This turning second.

It was around the last two bends that We Got This finally got to the early leader. Joining Mr Skinny Legs, the son of Droopys Buick and Knocksouna Lady quickly moved on at the final bend before going on to win by a length and a half from Mr Skinny Legs in 28.98. 

SWEET AS HONEY

Honey Sky was a tremendous winner of the A1 second race, staying tight to the fence to take over from the long-time pace-setter Golden City around the last two b3ends before powering clear.

Trained by Michael Donnelly for B Evans, the son of Droopys Sydney and Traceys Pet was never too far back and when the gap opened as Golden City stayed wide on the third turn, Honey Sky quickly shot to the front. From there he eased on to win by three and a half lengths in 28.66.  

GUMPTION SPRINTS TO SUCCESS

David Murray is certainly no stranger to handling top sprinters and he has another useful one on his hands in the form of Gumption.

Owned by the Coffee Box Syndicate, the son of pestana and Exemplar was too sharp for his rivals in the sole sprint.

Taking control into the turn, his task was made somewhat easier when Rollover Samson checked wide, hampering A new Addition. However, Gumption had already gone to the front and that was where he stayed, seeing off the staying on 

TESS CLINGS ON

Early speed was the key to success for Ballycairn Tess in the A2 fourth race over 550yds as she held the advancing Esmonde Swift and Knockmitten Bawn to win by a head and a half length in 30.25.

Templeville Mia looked the main threat in the early stages but inexplicably checked wide across the back of the pace-setter early in the back straight, ending her hopes. It left Evan Henrick’s Ballycairn Tess clear and the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Newinn Tess never relinquished her lead thereafter.

LEGIT OPENS PROCEEDINGS

Legit News, trained by Jerry Melia for the Step Inn Sunday Syndicate, claimed a sixth career success in the opener, getting the better of the persistent Homegrown Sydney into the third turn to come home in front.

The daughter of Good News and Lizzylegit maintained her traditional wide path throughout but kept finding to eventually strike the line two lengths clear of Homegrown Sydney in 28.98.