ONE GOES FASTEST IN PUPPY OAKS
Ian Fortune
There were so many superb displays at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but it was fitting that the fastest run on the card for the standard trip came in the opening round of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks with Shebetheone setting a strong standard on her return to Dublin.
After her elimination from the Kirby Memorial at the second-round stage, Kate and Leo Dunphy’s talented daughter of Ballymac Wild and Whitings Gift would do everything right in the first of the three heats, posting a rapid 28.18.
Breaking smartly, she held a narrow lead in the early yards before moving on at the turn. It was all pretty straightforward thereafter with Shebetheone pulling right away on the run in to eventually see off Ballymac Mint by six and a half lengths.
After a little bit of early bother, the favourite Magical On Fire recovered well to come through to take third, some three lengths further adrift.
RAZOR-SHARP MINSK
Meenegh Minsk was again at her professional best, winning Heat 2 in trap to line fashion or Ro Ball and Michael Corr.
The daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Meenagh Miracle absolutely flew from four and was soon in complete command.
Scarlet Ella turned second and gave chase throughout but there was no stopping Meenagh Minsk. The 1-2 favourite kicked again from the final turn to eventually see off Scarlet Ella by two and a half lengths in 28.42. Burgess Hazel stayed on strongly to take third, a length and a half further back.
POM POM OPENS ACCOUNT
Pom Pom, a half-sister to Susie Sapphire, opened her account in the final heat when going to the front at the turn.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx was prominent into the turn before taking over from Gem Friendly on the turn.
Peter Comerford’s Pom Pom may have moved off the fence, bumping Gem Friendly in the process, but she would quickly build a decisive lead. Ballymac Riddle avoided traffic on the turn to go second and gave chase throughout but there was no stopping Pom Pom. The Owen McKenna trained bitch went on to beat Ballymac Ridle by five lengths in 28.62. Cashout Girl was best of the remainder, just a head behind the runner-up.
JENNY COMPLETES A CORR DOUBLE
After winning with Meenagh Minsk earlier on the card, Michael Corr completed a tremendous double in the ninth race, with the versatile Velvet Jenny arriving on the line to claim a narrow victory over Aayamza Wizard and Cloverfield Clan.
Disputing third into the back straight behind Aayamza Wizard and Cloverfield Clan, Velvet Jenny began to make her move after halfway. Securing the inside line off the final turn, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Velvet Nannykate made her move on the run in. Powering home, she got up on the line to win by a short head from Aayamza Wizard in 28.50 with Cloverfield Clan just a head further back in third.
BRILLIANT BRUNO GOES FAST IN FINALE
Ballyhooly Bruno produced a huge run in the finale, asserting on the opening bend before running out a ready winner for Tom O’Neill and the Ashgrove Trio Syndicate.
La Pepinillo broke fastest to lead into the turn but Ballyhooly Bruno flew up the inside of the track to take over on the bend.
The son of Jacob Tashadelek and Foyle Lucy quickly moved on to hold a clear advantage at halfway. He would maintain a strong gallop to the line, emerging a three length victory in a sizzling 30.81 for the 575yd trip. Jacktavern Boom ran on well to grab second.
DESTINY IMPRESSES TO DOUBLE HIS TALLY
Innfield Destiny produced a massive run to finally double his career tally for Barry Clancy and Tommy Kelly.
The Juvenile Derby runner-up ran a superb bend to move second behind Fleadh Saraide early in the back straight.
The pace-setter quickly found herself in under serious pressure. Innfield Destiny flew into the third turn, shooting up the fence to take control. The son of King Elvis and Coonough Dolly would ease on to claim a deserving success by two lengths in 28.22. Fleadh Saraide would finish second.
CHICAGO IS DOMINANT
Old Chicago would post an identical 28.22 a little later on the card when emerging a wide-margin winner of the seventh race.
Reggie Roberts’ son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess was at his very best, shotting from the inside box to make every inch. Southwind Wild gave chase throughout but Old Chicago powered clear from the final turn to eventually win by eight lengths in 28.22.
KOURNIKOVA MAKES WINNING DUBLIN DEBUT
The hugely promising Kournikova made a successful Dublin debut in the eighth race.
Trained by Pat Buckley for Tom Ahern, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Dunquin Anna was third into the turn but began to motor as they hit halfway.
Sober Secret was in front but Kournikova forced her way up the inside of the leader around the last two bends. Finally edging on as they turned for home, Kournikova would get the better of Sober Secret by three parts of a length in 28.43.
ANNIE POWERS TO SUCCESS
John Young sent out Clonfert Annie to emerge an easy winner of the A1 second race over 600yds, showing all her power to run out a ready winner.
Drumshanbo Susie set a strong pace but was always a sitting duck once Clonfert Annie turned a close second.
Powering her way to the from into the third turn, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Blundel Bridie eased right away to eventually cross the line five lengths clear of Drumshanbo Susie in 32.41.
BILLY IMPRESSES
Racing commenced with Cagey Billy claiming a fourth success in his last five outings, making all to win over 575yds.
Chris Delaney’s son of Pestana and Lilly Lula broke smartly and held a narrow lead and the inside line over Fleadh Rileigh into the turn.
Once turn in front, Cagey Billy was always in charge. Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, Cagey Bily would go on to beat the staying on Alva Mist by two and a half lengths in 31.02.