MAGIC MANDOLIN AN INTERNATIONAL STAR

Ian Fortune

Droopys Mandolin has long been seen as perhaps the fastest bitch in training and on Friday evening at a packed Dundalk she cemented that view with a typically stunning display of pace and power to emerge a brilliant winner of the TIME Dundalk International.

The Robert Gleeson trained star brought her career earnings past the €50,000 mark in some style, although she had to work really hard to pick up Tribal Syd, who made a bold bid from the front.

AN EVENTFUL START

The race began to take shape in the early yards. Unanimouspanther missed the start and was left chasing the pack into the turn.

In contrast, his kennel companions Singalong Dolly and Coolavanny Otto came away racing.

Sadly, for Singalong Dolly, she took a false step after a stride and lost her pitch. Coolavanny Otto led briefly but he was soon headed by Daleroad Duke in trap three. Importantly, he couldn’t clear Droopys Mandolin who held her ground in trap two.

On the outside of the track, Tribal Syd wasn’t the fastest into stride but did show good early speed to challenge into the corner. Daleroad Duke held a narrow lead on the bend but couldn’t get around Droopys Mandolin. The pair bumped a couple of times, allowing Tribal Syd to take advantage.

SYD MOVES ON

Running a fine bend, Tribal Syd moved to the front before entering the back straight.

Cutting across his rivals at this point, he quickly moved on by almost three lengths. Murt Leahy must have been dreaming of further International glory after the last grasp success of Raha Mofo in 2023.

Many would have felt that Tribal Syd was going to take the world of beating. Available at 33-1 with one firm earlier in the day, Tribal Syd was now the one to beat, although Droopys Mandolin clearly had the bit between her teeth.

Closing slightly into the third turn, she was still close enough to launch a challenge if the petrol was in the tank. Tribal Syd entered the home straight a length and a half to the good but Droopys Mandolin was now in full stride and advancing.

A TREMENDOUS FINISH 

In a truly tremendous finish, Droopys Mandolin was ruthless.

Powering up the straight, she joined the pace-setter twenty-five yards from the line before powering on for yet another big race success.

Tribal Syd ran a remarkable race, especially after a moderate start, but ultimately it wasn’t good enough to hold a very special performer. Droopys Mandolin went on to win by a length and a quarter in 29.72. Unanimouspanther ran a big race after such a bad start to finish just three lengths adrift in third.   

The night belonged to Droopys Mandolin, however. The daughter of Laughil Blake and Droopys Curio is a superstar and her owners Pat and Alan Dobbs must surely know how lucky they are to have her. Where she will go next has yet to be seen but, there is little doubt, she has all the qualities needed to mount a serious Derby challenge later in the year. Robert Gleeson has done a remarkable job with Droopys Mandolin and is likely to be targeting more big race glory in the future.

John Fox presents the trophy to Alan Dobbs after Droopys Mandolin won the 2024 Time Dundalk International. Also included are trainer Robert Gleeson, Jennifer Traynor, Caitriona Fox, Maria Ryan, Catriona Byrne GRI, and Leo McAuley Track Director.           Pic: Imelda Grauer