FAST STARTING BLUE OBLIGES AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

An impressive semi-final scorer seven days earlier, Hawkfield Blue fully justified his position at the head of the betting in the final of the Talking Dogs ON1 Unraced at Shelbourne Park on Friday night.

While the Unraced Bitch Stake at Newbridge is named after Brownstown Tango, it was her son, by Good News, that was taking the headlines in Dublin.

Trained by Keeley McGee for Jerry Connors, Hawkfield Blue rocketed from trap two and never saw another rival. Clonbrien Treaty recovered from a slow start to come through for second but Hawkfield Blue was never going to surrender his advantage. At the line the winner had five lengths to spare in 28.47.

SOME FINE RUNS IN TRI-DISTANCE

Later on the card, there were some superb displays in the opening round of the RCETS A3 Tri-Distance, most notably from Ballyhooly Hi and Our Dog Molly.

Ballyhooly Hi led early to post a rapid 28.49, while Our Dog Molly also dominated to contain the eye-catching Droopys Denis by a half length in 28.53.

The two remaining heats saw Drumdoit Chief score in 28.75, while Foyle Tommy ran out a two-length scorer in 28.92.