POLLY FASTEST OF POTENTIAL STARS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Singalong Polly went fastest in the opening round of the Ballymac Patriot @ Stud ON1 Bitch 525 at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night but each of the three-heat winner and a number of those in behind did enough to suggest they have a bright future.

Singalong Polly is a half sister to Derby finalist Magical Mag and seems destined to go right to the top in her chosen profession. The daughter of Grangeview Ten and Mystical Luna broke on terms but held a true line into the turn to hold her inside pitch.

Moving on at the corner, she quickly set about building a decisive advantage. Droopys Mags just held off the challenge of Cosmic View to race in second but Singalong Polly built a three length lead to halfway.

Cosmic View Moved best into the third turn to go second but seems to clip the fence or check her stride at this point. This left Gilbert Anderson’s Singalong Polly to increase her advantage. The Pat Buckley trained prospect would emerge a two-length winner over the staying on Cosmic View in 28.63. Ballymac Gwennie would also run on strongly to take third, some three lengths further adrift.

GRACE SHOWS FINE STRENGTH

Gealltanas Grace would run with real purpose to pick up long-time leader Good Katie in the final heat. the latter shot from two and set a strong gallop for much of the way but Gealltanas Grace was always within striking distance in second.

Closing right up on the leader into the third turn, the Feelgood Racing Syndicate owned daughter of Black Parachute and Gealltanas would maintain her momentum into the home straight to finally reel in Good Katie in the closing yards. Gealltanas Grace would emerge a neck to the good in 28.69 with a promise of more to come. Aside from the front two, Ballymac Chantry went into the notebook, running on well to finish just two lengths away in third.

A ZIPPY EFFORT FROM BALLYHEALY

The aptly named Ballyhealy Zip was a good winner of the opening heat for Sarah Neville and Joe Ivory. Showing real zip from boxes, she would make every inch. Pennys Gala would run well in second but there was no stopping the leader.

The well-bred daughter of Burgess Bucks and Limini was always in control as she raced to a comfortable two length verdict over Pennys Gala in 28.79. Durrow Design would stay on well to take third in the closing yards, some four lengths adrift.

LIBBY EMERGES ON TOP

Later on the card, the valuable Shelbourne Regulars A4/A5 525 went the way of Harlequin Libby as she reeled in Beat It Slow before containing the late charge of Swift Haze.

Trained by Scott Phelan for the Harlequin Syndicate, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Moment would enter the back straight in third before going second to halfway. It was between the last two bends when she slippd up the inside of the leader before holding on from Swift Haze by a half length in 28.95.

A DARING RUN FROM DIAMOND

Daring Diamond ran a wonderful opening bend to emerge on top in the final of the S2/S3 350.

The race to the turn was hugely competitive with Badminton Treaty, Obi Kenobi, Heathlawn Best and Norway Bucko all prominent but Daring Diamond made the most of his wide pitch.

Trained by Michael Meade for Jimmy Maguire, the son of Pestana and Daring Roxy who was having just his fourth career start drove the bend to move to the front. It was the pivotal moment in the contest. Daring Diamon would race on to win by a half-length from a rallying Badminton Treaty in 18.94.

MILLIE FOR THE HAT TRICK

Daithis Millie made it three on the spin when capturing the final of the Rásaíocht Con Éireann A5/A6 525, running a superb opening bend to move from fourth up to first as they entered the back straight. Droopy Clinton gave chase and did clos debut the leader wasn’t for catching. Representing Pat Daly and Arthur Ebbs, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Nothing Gained would stick it out to hold on by three parts of a length in 29.36.