KATHLEEN A RARE PROSPECT FOR DYLAN

Ian Fortune

The undoubted star of Thursday’s action at Shelbourne Park was Droopys Kathleen as he produced a scarily good performance to run out a facile winner of the €2,500 final of the Upcoming Puppy Oaks ON1 525 for Robert Gleeson and top jockey Dylan Browne-McMonagle.

A winner in 28.33 on debut, it was clear the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopy Dancer was a bit special but her latest display was on another level. While not the fastest into stride from the inside box, she flew into the turn to assume control.

Despite moving off the fence a little, she entered the back straight in complete control before powering right away. She posted a rapid 15.97 to the third turn and continued to pile on the pressure to eventually emerge a ten length winer over Shebtheone in 28.03. That means she recorded a very fast 12.06 from the third turn to the line.

There seems no ceiling to how good this bitch could be and it would come as a major shock if she didn’t develop into one of the very best in the country, male or female. She is certainly one to keep a close eye on and the upcoming Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks seems a natural target.

BRUCE LOOKS A BOSS

Elsewhere on the card there were a couple of fine displays, most notably from Michelle and Joan Flynn’s racing debutant Bruce The Boss, who ran out a ready winner of the third race, an ON1 525. 

A classically bred son of Droopys Sydney and former Cesarewitch champion Amazing Alice, he was only third into the turn but slipped through to lead off the second bend. Once going to the front, the Pat Guilfoyle trained youngster eased on to win by five lengths from the eye-catching Pay Off in 28.50.