BERMUDA DOES IT
Ian Fortune
Drumdoit Bermuda completed a wonderful return from a career threatening injury to land the valuable Upcoming Events A2 decider at Shelbourne Park on Friday night.
The home bred son of Laughil Blake and Our Pebbles had always been a talented tracker for Rebecca Porter and Alan Byrne but his career as a racer seemed over when he finished last in the opening round of the 2021 Boylesports Irish Derby.
But neither Rebecca or Alan gave up on their star. Patience and tender loving care allowed the strapping veteran return to fitness and he as entered in the opening round of the Upcoming Events A2 525.
He finished third on that occasion but it felt like a real success for his owners as he came off the track sound. A week on, he claimed a final stride victory in the semi-finals, setting him up for a fairy tale success in Thursday’s €2,500 to the winner decider.
The final went right down to the wire. Jirano Jetstream was left in front at the second turn as traffic ended the hopes of the prominent Galloping Image and Droopys Timing. Jirano Jetstream seemed certain to go on to score thereafter but Drumdoit Bermuda had other ideas.
Staying wide, he moved second early in the back straight before setting his sights on the leader. Closing with each and every stride, the powerful veteran got up on the line to claim a tremendous success by a neck in 28.93.
HIT MAN GUNS DOWN RIVALS TO SET PACE
There were also a number of fine displays in the opening round of the Paddy Merriman Memorial, although the headlines went to David Harrington’s Super Hit Man as he set the standard with a 28.50 return in Heat 6.
There was so much to like about the display of the son of Laughil Blake and Super Jenny but it was his tremendous early speed that made the difference. Going clear to halfway, he was always in complete control. He may have tied up in the closing stages but held on to beat the fast-finishing Whyaye Man by a half-length.
LUCIUS GOES QUICK
Not far behind him on the clock was Prince Lucius as he took the final heat for Ollie Bray and the BMS Syndicate in 28.55.
Rathcoole Poppy set the pace but was under pressure down the back straight before conceding the lead to Prince Lucius between the last two bends. Once going to the front, Prince Lucius eased on to score by three lengths.
DAME CHARGES DOWN THE BACK
Ross Dame relished a step back in grade to win Heat 4.
Although not the fastest into stride, Eamon Devlin and Sean Hagan’s son of Droopys Jet and Quare Dame turned close to th pace before making his superb back straight count.
Shooting to the front before halfway, he eased on to the third turn before cruising home to beat the staying on Urban Captain by three and a half lengths in 28.82.
DOODLE SHARPEST
Yankee Doodle provided Paul Hennessy and Paul Hynes with a winner in Heat 5.
The son of Jaytee Yankee and Locnamon Bridie challenged for the early lead alongside Romeo Salvo before moving on as they entered the back straight.
Romeo Salvo rallied on the run in but Yankee Doodle was up to the test and he dug in to contain his rival by a half length in 28.89.
MARSHALL TOO STRONG
Shonas Marshall stayed on well to win the opening heart for David and Shona Harrington.
The son of Pat C Sabbath and Drive On Robyn reeled in Storys Mattie to beat Craiobhin Skip by two lengths in 28.77.
UNLOCK PRESSES ON
Hello Sydney set a strong pace in the early yards of Heat 3 but Press Unlock was far too strong once moving second.
Showing plenty of pace into the third turn, the daughter of Pestana and Unlock Unlock moved past her rival to strike the front.
From there the Brendan Matthews and Gert Du- Plessi owned prospect stayed on well to contain the fast-finishing Droopys Mama Mia by a length in 28.79.
JOHNNY’S A GEM
Murt Leahy was on the mark in the second heat as Johnny Gem (Droopys Sydney/ Droopys Dance) made every inch after a fast start from the inside draw.
Coolavanny Raven pushed hard throughout but could never get by the pace-setter. At the line, the Gem Spring Syndicate owned Johnnys Gem had a length in hand in 28.91.