CASH FASTEST AT HQ BUT THE HEADLINE GOES TO SHEA
Ian Fortune
The opening round of the Islandbridge Sprint may have proven costly to odds-on backers but Shea Campbell won’t be complaining as he recorded a tremendous double with Robbies Champ and Mccool Blue, while Jamie McGee will also be happy with his evening’s work as his Gizmo Cash posted the fastest time of the round.
It was McGee’s Two Amigos who was a hot favourite for the opening heat but, despite doing everything right in the early yards, he failed to contain the massive early speed of Not A Bot. The latter seemed to have pole position on the turn but he drifted off, hampering Two Amigos in the process.
This left the door open for the advancing Robbies Champ. In full stride on the bend, the son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Natalie seized his opportunity with glee. Not A bot attempted to rally on the run in but it was futile. Shea Campbell’s Robbies Champ powered to the line to score by a length and a half in 18.66 (.15 fast). Two Amigos qualified in third.
AS COOL AS YOU LIKE FROM BLUE
Shea Campbell didn’t have to wait long to complete his wonderful double as Mccool Blue, who he owns jointly with David McCool, ran out a tremendous winner of the second heat.
Off The Pitch was the hot favourite in this contest following a wonderful comeback run the previous week but he had no answer to Mccool Blue.
Fastest into stride, Mccool Blue, who is a brother to Robbies Champ, displayed superb early speed to lead the field into the turn. Cappuccino turned a close second but was picked up late by Off The Pitch. There was no stopping Mccool Blue, however. He ran right to the line to record a rapid 18.49 (.15 fast) with Off The Pitch three lengths away in second and Cappuccino another neck adrift.
DECISIVE DISPLAY FROM CASH
The most decisive winner of the round was Gizmo Cash in Heat 3.
Ela Supremo was a hot favourite at 4-6 but never really got into full stride. In contrast, recent Greyhound & Petworld Super Sprint winner Gizmo Cash was razor sharp.
Jamie McGee’s son of Droopys Jet and Down The Green flashed from trap three and quickly put the result beyond any doubt. Showing tremendous pace throughout, he eventually hit the line four and a half lengths clear in a flying 18.44 (.15 fast). Ela Supremo came through for second, some four and a half lengths adrift, while Fantasy Jesse was another length back in third.
THUNDER STRUCK
Evo Thunder provided Owen McKenna and the Whos That Guy Syndicate with a tremendous victory in the final heat.
The lightly raced son of Droopys Jet and Ballymac Scala was always in charge after a fast start and he cruised home a length clear of the fast finishing Droopys Dude in 18.50. Hawkfield Ava was four lengths further back in third.
BRUISER OUT PUNCHES RIVALS
The feature of the Shelbourne undercard was the final of the This Runs Deep A3 575 and despite a tough draw, early crowding and a fast track, Burnell Bruiser emerged a tremendous winner.
The powerful galloper, who really want further than the 575yds, battled his way to the fence but was sitting only fifth on the bend.
Staying tight to his beloved inside rail, he improved his position to move second off the third turn. Chunky Monkey continued to dictate out front but Burnell Bruiser is immensely strong and he came through in the closing yards in the closing yards to land a fine success for his handler Liam O’Rourke and owners Gary Carey and Liz Whyte. At the line, the son of Droopys Jet and Cats Belle has the minimum distance in hand in 31.43 (rated .30 fast).