CHARLIE JUST FASTEST IN UNRACED SEMIS

Ian Fortune

There was only a few spots separating Phoenix Charlie and Ballymac Eli on the clock in the semi finals of the Talking Dogs on Monday Open Unraced at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with the former going slightly faster for Ian and Billy Reilly.

Phoenix Charlie had to work hard for victory but, when it came to the crunch, he was up to the task. Only third into the turn, he was able to join the pace-setters when Romeo Torres and Droopys Deploy clashed between the opening two bends.

In fact, Phoenix Charlie went to the front early in the back straight only for Romeo Torres to move back upsides between the last two bends. With the inside line in his favour, Romeo Torres seemed the most likely winner but Phoenix Charlie was to prove too strong.

Staying on well, the son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana eased on up the run in to eventually strike the line two and a half lengths clear of the luckless Droopys Deploy in 28.65. Romeo Torres was best of the remainder just a head away in third.

ELI FINDS THE GAPS

The second heat saw Ballymac Eli take advantage of opening bend scrimmaging to strike the front as they entered the back straight.

Disputing fourth into the turn, Ballymac Eli actually took a bump on the bend but a gap opened in the middle of the pack after crowding that saw him shoot to the front early in the back straight.      

Once going to the front, Liam Dowling’ charge was never going to be stopped. Ballycowen Ted, who was involved in the traffic when prominent, managed to hold onto second spot and actually displayed plenty of pace into the third turn but Ballymac Eli is strong and he ran out a comfortable three length winner in 28.68. Racenight Joan, who set the standard in the opening round, ran on strongly after traffic to grab third, some five lengths further back.

Talking Dogs on Monday ON1 525

Final draw

1 DROOPY DEPLOY

2 BALLYCOWEN TED

3 ROMEO TORRES

4 PHOENIX CHARLIE (M)

5 BALLYMAC ELI (M)

6 RACENIGHT JOAN (M)