MAGICAL ROMEO GOES FASTEST IN EASTER CUP

Ian Fortune

It was only a matter of time before Romeo Magico returned to winning ways and those that followed Dave Firmager’s brilliant English Derby champion were richly rewarded at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night in the second round of the Bresbet Easter Cup.

Not only did the son of Magical Bale dominate in the final heat but he posted a wonderful 29.52 to set the standard. Ballymac Finn also won in some style, while the two remaining heats saw Galloping Sydney and Storys Cashout come out on top.

MAGICAL ROMEO GETS LOOSE

Romeo Magico was the star of proceedings, however. From a favourable draw in two in the final hat, the Graham Holland trained star made light work of his task.

The 8-11 favourite was much sharper at boxes than in recent outings and quickly asserted into the turn.

Racing right away from his rivals to the third turn, he maintained a relentless gallop to come home six and a half lengths clear of the fast finishing Toolmaker Wilde to stop the clock in 29.52. Disco Pants was another four lengths adrift in third.

FLYING FINN DOMINATES

Ballymac Finn was next fastest as he got the better of Sword Rex in Heat 2.

This was decided in the early yards with Liam Dowling’s Derby runner-up getting the jump on his rival after a fast start from trap four.

Swords Rex pushed hard to the third turn but there was no picking up Ballymac Finn. The son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy stayed on strongly to eventually cross the line with three lengths in hand on Swords Rex in 29.68. Allforthebest stormed home in third, a further two lengths adrift.

SYDNEY GALLOPS CLEAR TO HOLD HIS NAMESAKE

Early speed was also the key to success for Galloping Sydney in the opening heat as he contained the late charge of Stream Of Sydney to justify favouritism.

Showing brilliant early speed for the second week running, the Graham holland trained Galloping Sydney built a decisive lead to the third turn.

Stream Of Sydney got past Capitan Garfio in the second half of the contest before finishing with a flourish but Una Creed’s Galloping Sydney seems a stronger greyhound this year and the son of Droopys Sydney and Mags Image held off his rival by a neck in 29.88. Capitan Garfio chase the pair into the next round, a further four lengths back in third.

CASHOUT FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH

After a superb opening round victory, Storys Cashout maintained his unbeaten record in the stake in Heat 3, coming home fastest to see of a talented field.

Trained by Murt Leahy for Gavin O’Mahoney, the son of Tullymurry Act and Dropys Hunch was only fourth down the back straight after a moderate start from a tricky trap five draw but the complexion of the race changed completely at the third turn.

Callaway Pro Am was the hot favourite and seemed a certain scorer when getting loose in the early yards. Bockos Crystal gave chase and made her move at the third turn, forcing her way up the inside of the pace-setter.

As all this happened both Trinity Junior and Storys Cashout drew closer. Incredibly, Storys Cashout quickly closed the gap on the leaders before pouncing on the run in. Finishing with real purpose, Storys Cashout came through to lead on the run in for a memorable three parts of a length success over Bockos Crystal in 29.98. Trinity Junior was another length back in third, while Callaway Pro Am was a shock elimination in fourth.