KATHLEEN BACK

Ian Fortune

Droopys Kathleen will make her long awaited return to Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer gained the attention of the greyhound racing world in late 2024 when in just her fourth career start, she smashed the 525yd track record at the Ringsend venue in the semi-finals of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks.

A week later she returned to win the competition, highlighting her standing as one of the very fastest on the planet. Sadly, she picked up an injury in the final and was off the track for almost eleven months before returning to action at Dunstall Park and the British Oaks last October.

After a second-round exit, after finding traffic, she picked up another issue in her tendon. Thankfully, she has made a full recovery and Robert Gleeson reported her in great form after her latest 18.52 sprint trial.

And so, some 434 days after her last race on Irish soil, the sensational bitch will return to action on Saturday night. Her appearance will ensure not too many will leave early as she is set to run from a rails draw in the final race on the card.

Of her rivals, the exceptionally fast Lennies Desire looks the main threat but all eyes will be on Droopys Kathleen. It would be wonderful to see her returning with a win but the most important thing is she comes of the track safe and sound.