DROOPYS PLUNGE A WIDE MARGIN WINNER OF THE DENIS LINEHAN SOLICITORS OPEN UNRACED STAKE

Barry Drake

A most enjoyable night of racing at Curraheen Park with a number of sensational performances.

DROOPYS PLUNGE (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Sweet), trained by Johnny Linehan for Roy Ball and Trevor Pearson, ran out a brilliant winner of the 2024 Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

The 6-4 second favourite produced a great start along the inside of the track and once leading at the opening corners, the November puppy was always going to take plenty of catching. Such a strong and powerful performer, he took total control on the back straight and he pulled right away for a comfortable success picking up the €10,000 first prize.

Clocking top-class finishing sectionals, the impressive winner came home with 10 lengths to spare over Romeo Control, in a top class, 27.94. Favourite Callaway Knegare missed the kick and found trouble, he was a length behind the runner-up in third.

Droopys Plunge for Roy Ball & Trevor Pearson and trainer John Linehan - winner of The 2024 Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced Final. Also in the photo is winning Junior Nominator Bria O Mahony.

MAGICAL 28-SECOND BARRIER

For the third week on the trot, Bockos Diamond (Dorotas Wildcat-Seaglass Shadow) went under the magical 28-second barrier when winning the €5,000 to the winner David Fitzgibbon Memorial Open Juvenile Stake for trainer Graham Holland and owners the Remember Them Syndicate.

The September puppy was in front early, showing massive speed throughout, the well-backed 4-5 favourite delivered another spectacular performance, coming home alone, in a sensational, 27.83. Thirteen and a half lengths back to Niosfearrnabolt in second place. Leading fancy Broadstrand Syd was out the back after totally missing the kick.

RUN LED EARLY

In the opening semi-final of the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake, it was Ballymac Run who came home in front for Liam Dowling.

The 9-2 shot led early and she kept on strongly to land the spoils. A 28.53 winning performance, a length and a half clear of Faypoint Maureen.

PLENTY OF PACE

In the second semi-final, Hello Rose bounced out in front to win for trainer Graham Holland and owner Liam Mannix.

The 5-2 winner displayed plenty of pace up front as the impressive winner beat Bredas Wood, by two and a half lengths, in 28.40.

WONDERFUL WINNING DISPLAY

Racing kicked out with a wonderful winning display from Ballycowen Conor.

The July puppy, a 2-1 shot, won in style, clocking 28.33 in the A2, for Dean Harpur and Debbie Doyle.

OUTSTANDING 28.15

In the closing race, Droopys Carbine returned to top form with an outstanding 28.15 winning performance for trainer Pat Kiely and owners Mike Kiely and Michael Ryan.

The 6-4 second favourite displayed massive back-straight pace to take over from Peroni Eoiny and from there, he was always in control. A length and a half the winning margin at the line.

HOLLAND TREBLE

In other races, Faypoint Sean completed a Graham Holland treble in the 11th, an AA0.

It was a messy affair, but the pacey winner overcame trouble to land the spoils, in 28.97, winning for owner Patricia Flanagan.