KATIE AND GWENNIE SHOW STAR APPEAL IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

With the Derby now in the wing mirrors, it was time to start looking to the future at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and the displays of Good Katie and Ballymac Gwennie in the semi-finals of the Ballymac Patriot @ Stud open Unraced Bitch 525 certainly helped paint a pretty picture.

The two youngsters were simply outstanding as they went very quick in the heats of the valuable competition, although honour of going fastest went to Good Katie as she left those watching in no doubt that she is a potential superstar.

Drawn in two in the opening heat, John Kennedy Junior’s daughter of Dromana Bucko and Hugh Dream was flawless. Shooting from traps, she was always in the driver’s seat. Droopys Mags was her nearest rival for much of the journey, although Ballymac Chantry then arrived with a real rush to take up the chase turning for home but it was futile. Good Katie was relentless and would eventually win by four lengths in a brilliant 28.15. The runner-up also impressed, while Droopys Mags was the other qualifier some eight and a half lengths further adrift.

GWENNIE A POTENTIAL STAR

Ballymac Gwennie also dominated in the second heat.

Much sharper at boxes than a week earlier, she had room to race in the early yards with Gealltanas Grace cutting inwards from four. It allowed Ballymac Gwennie to concentrate on going up as fast as she could.

The daughter of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Arminta would clear the bend in front and there was no stopping her thereafter. Gealltanas Grace turned second with Singalong Polly moving third but Ballymac Gwennie would move with purpose throughout to emerge a comfortable and very impressive three length in 28.28. Gealltanas Grace was second with Cosmic View running on to take third, some four and a half lengths further adrift.

LAKE MAKES A SPLASH

Later on the card, Liam Dowling completed a notable double with Ballymac Lake taking another stepforward in his career as he got up on the line to win the sixth race, the opening semi-finals of the New Barking Buzz A0 525, in a sizzling 28.15.

Phoenix Memphis was the favourite and seemed destined to score when setting a searching gallop, although he could never get away from those in pursuit. Brunch Pal took up the chase in the opening half of the contest but Ballymac Lake flew down the back straight to go second into the third turn.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete still had a bit to give as they turned for home and he ran on well to edge out Phoenix Memphis in a tremendous finish. At the line, Ballymac Lake had a half-length in hand on his rival.

OGIE RECOVERS TO LEAD LATE

Thomas Whelan’s Coolavanny Ogie somehow found a way to win the opener over 575yds despite giving her rivals a head start after a stumble at boxes.

Last early, the Neilus O’Connell trained daughter of Jacob Tashadelek and Feora Inish picked her way through the pack to sit close to the pace into the third turn. Vinegarhill Rhys led the field into the straight but in a driving finish, Coolavanny Ogie took over in the final strides to win by a half-length in 31.72.

MAGIC RUN FROM MAC

Neilus O’Connell would later complete a double with Rallying Mac showing all sorts of pace and power to win the A0 fifth race over 600yds in brilliant fashion.

Off the pace in the early yards after a tardy start, Dan Flynn’s son of Here Comes Syd and Airfield Biddy would pick his way through the pack to emerge as a big danger on the final bend. Ballymac Florie and Snowy April were still in front of him at this stage but neither could match him up the straight. Finishing like a train, Ballymac Mac would lead late for a wonderful length success over Snowy April in 32.38.

BLUE ARRIVES LATE AND FAST

Racing ended with a terrific finish over 575yds going the way of Boylesports Blue as he reeled in Derby finalist Droopys Deploy for a narrow success.

Droopys Deploy did all he could to get loose in the early yards only to take a couple of bumps from Exclusion Order. By the time he finally got some daylight around the last two bends, he was vulnerable to the bigger finishers including Boylesports Blue. Trained by Paul Hennessy for John Boyle, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Hugh Dream ran on strongly to pick up Droopys Deploy for a head success in 31.35.    

MIGHTY MEG GETS LOOSE

Templeville Meg made the most of a perfect draw on the fence to win the second semi-final of the mini-open 525 for Jonathan Dever and Ray Melia.

A strong running daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Cayan Tower, she was always prominent and once going to the front never looked under serious threat.

Taking control as they hit the back straight, she quickened away before cruising to a five-length victory over Beretta Brandi in 28.50. 

HOUDINI ESCAPES HIS RIVALS

Harry Houdini was on the mark in in the penultimate race on the card with an early advantage making all the difference for Conor O’Donnell’s son of Magical Bale and Rangefield Lass.

The Karol Ramsbottom trained tracker had to work hard for the lead but he displayed the superior early speed to turn in front of Innfield Riddle. The order of the front two never changed thereafter with Harry Houdini going on to cross the line two lengths to the good in 28.47.

TRINITY TOO HOT

Innfield Trinity doubled his career tally in the A2 second race on the card.

Showing fine early zip to dominate for Barry Clancy and Tim Slevin. Stefans Fathead and Tarsna Blaze both gave chase but neither would land a telling blow. Instead, Innfield Trinity ran to the line to eventually score by three and a half lengths from Stefans Fathead in 28.66.