INVERGARRY COMES INTO TAKE SHELBOURNE FEATURE

    INVERGARRY COMES INTO TAKE SHELBOURNE FEATURE

    Ian Fortune

    Saturday’s card at Shelbourne Park provided some fine displays, particularly in the latter part of the evening with the headlines going to Invergarry as he took the feature, the final of the Barking Buzz A1/A2 Tri Distance.

    (Pic right)  Abbie Donnelly presents the trophy to Francis Murray after High Performance won The Barking Buzz A1/A2 Tri Distance final at Shelbourne Park.               Pic: Imelda Grauer

    Invergarry took his opportunity after coming in as a reserve. Taking the place of his kennel companion High Performer, Invergarry was sent to traps a 6-1 chance but it quickly became clear he was going to bely his odds.

    Representing Francie Murray and his son Francis, the son of Kinloch Brae and Lang Syne would quickly emerge from the pack to lead into the bend. He was left clear of his rivals at this point as he avoided traffic. In truth, it was a procession thereafter.

    Regimental flew home after early traffic to grab second but Invergarry would go on to win by five and a half length victory in 32.62.

    GALLANT DISPLAY AS HUNTER EARNS KIRBY TICKET

    The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Trial Stake provided Gallant Hunter the opportunity to double his career tally.

    Gallant Hunter had an ideal draw on the fence and he displayed his terrific early speed to contain both Dear Sir and Razldazl Kamaria into the bend to lead the field into the back straight.

    Trained by Ollie Bray for the Virgil Van Fitzy Syndicate, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Silver Penny was pressed hard by Razldazl Kamaria in the second half of the contest but kept finding to repel his rival by a length in a quick 28.45.  

    TEDDY ON FIRE

    Racing ended with a superb display of early speed from Ciaran O’Sullivan’s Hopes Teddy.

    So impressive over two bends the previous weekend, the Pat Buckley trained speedster again flew into the bend to dictate throughout.

    Hazelhill Bucko was another big eye-catcher behind the pace-setter, showing superb back straight pace to come through for second but Hopes Teddy was not for catching. The son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady would go on to win by three lengths in a rapid, fastest of the night, 28.36.

    BUCKS BOUNCES OUT TO DOMINATE

    Morning Bucks was a tremendous winner of the fifth race for Nick Hammond and Kevin Losty.

    The son of Burgess Bucks and Wishful Ali broke smartly and quickly assumed control. Coolemount Jake would come through for second but Morning Bucks was never for catching and he went on to cross the line four length clear in 28.52. 

    GRACE ARRIVES LATE AND FAST

    It was great to see a Novice 750 on the contest and it really delivered with three greyhounds passing the line within inches of each other.

    Saraghs Sadie, Droopys Gill and Lolos Littler would all make an impression but none of those mentioned could contain the Alan Byrne trained big finisher Neon Grace.

    Third for much of the journey, the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Ballymac Natalie really began to motor when she hit the final turn. Coming wide and fast, Paul James’ bitch got up in the final stride to beat Lolos Littler and Droopys Gill by a head and a head in 42.53.  

    SONNY CLAIMS WIN NUMBER SIX

    Aayamza Sonny claimed a sixth career victory in the A1 sixth race for Nalin Monerawela and the Aayamzaboys Syndicate.

    Aayamza Sonny and Nellys Twink had a great battle to the third turn but the former always had the inside line.

    Edging on at the third turn, the son of Ballymac Best and Aayamza Royale would go on to contain the fast-finishing Vroom Vroom Mag by a length and a half in 28.71.  

    RAVEN FLIES TO VICTORY

    Town Raven produced a career best effort to win the fourth race for Sean Dooley.

    Irelands Eye would set the pace but his fate was sealed when Town Raven moved second as they hit the back straight. The son of Broadstrand Bono and Town Penny eased up to the lead to take over at halfway before racing on for a two length success over Rathmoyle Gerry in 28.73.

    COMET MAKES THE MOST OF HIS LUCK IN OPENER

    There was a very tight finish to the opener with Clona Comet getting up on the line to win for Graham Kelly and Thomas McKevitt.

    Never far off the pace, he seemed destined for a minor role with Bluetimer setting a strong gallop up front but the latter inexplicably checked his stride on the run in.

    This allowed Clona Comet (Newinn Session/ Newinn Mimi) and Sadies Lucy to challenge on the line with the verdict going to the former by head from Bluetimer in 28.82.

    MOGUL REELS IN ORATOR

    The A4 third race quickly turned into a match with Droopys Orator leading Media Mogul around the turn.

    The pair had a great tussle with Declan Kelly’s Media Mogul (Ballymac Cashout/ String Of Pearls) proving too strong in the closing stages to come through and win by a length in 28.99.

    LAURA DOES THINGS RIGHT

    Rathanny Laura (Ballymac Kingdom/ Ballymac Cameo) was a straightforward winner of the second race for Liam O’Rourke and Larry Keane.

    Making virtually all to come home three and a half lengths clear of Vione Cottage Lad in 29.03.