QUALITY FARE AT SHELBOURNE AS CHEQUE TAKES THE FEATURE
Ian Fortune
Storm Éowyn was thankfully a thing of the past at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night where there was tremendous action on the track.
There were no fewer than three finals up for decision with the feature going the way of popular veteran Cheque For Sir.
On a track rated .20 slow throughout the evening, the Karol Ramsbottom trained son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Ava was razor-sharp at traps, containing Hawkfield Abbie into the bend. It would prove decisive.
Owned by the Cash Back Syndicate, Cheque For Sir had the bit between his teeth and he maintained a strong gallop throughout to eventually get the better of the staying on Hawkfield Abbie by a neck in 28.66. Droopys Bro was another two and a half lengths adrift in third.
CUSHIE SHOWS ALL HIS DASH
The ’20 Years On – Irish Sri Lanka Trust Fund’ Open 525 was run to commemorate a time when the Irish greyhound racing community came together to raise €400,000 for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
The contest was worth €1,000 to the winner and it always seemed destined to be going to Cushie The Best as he exploded from traps to dominate for John Codd and Diana Brodie. The son of Allforthebest and Fatboyz Storm has superb early speed and he quickly asserted at the head of affairs.
Is She There was her nearest rival in the opening half of the contest but In Good Time stayed on strongly to grab second. At the line Cushie The Best had five lengths in hand on In Good Time in a brilliant, fastest of the night, 28.36 (rated .20 slow).
EXCITING BOOKEM TOO GOOD
Droopys Bookem is beginning to live up to the huge promise he displayed early in his career.
The longer run to the turn is certainly playing to his strengths and he emerged a brilliant winner of the Go Greyhound Racing Open Dual Distance.
Trained by Johnny Linehan for the All Angles Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet flew into the bend to move to the front. It was all one-way traffic thereafter. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the finish, Droopys Bookem would see off Esmonde Swift by five and a half lengths in 32,59.
BOB TOO RAPID FOR RIVALS
Rapido Bob certainly lived up to his name in the final of the Barking Buzz A1 525, returning to his very best with a comfortable trap to line success for Michael Meade and owner Mary Walsh.
Sent to traps the 4-5 favourite, his many followers were soon feeling good about things as he cleared the bend to contain Bristow.
The latter pushed into the third turn but Rapido Bob has winning form over 600yds so it was no surprise to see him easing clear on the run in for a ready six length victory in 28.57. Quarry Boy came through for second.
PROGRESSIVE MYWAY TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Dolores Ruth’s Razldazl Myway claimed a third career victory in the tenth race, again highlighting his undoubted promise as he posted a superb 28.50.
In front from the opening strides, the son of Explosive Boy and Razldazl Mya was ruthless.
Powering down the back straight and staying on strongly, he comfortably contained the challenge of Robbie Be Slick by two lengths in a wonderful 28.50 (.20 slow).
APRIL POWERS TO VICTORY
Snowy April won the finale over 550yds, showing all his power and strength to lead in the latter stages for Rory McConnell.
Only fourth into the back straight after being kept wide, he quickly began to close into the third turn.
Daraghs Sydney set the pace for much of the way but his fate was sealed when Snowy April moved second between the last two bends. Powering up the straight, the son of Good News and Martinstown Diva took over from Daraghs Sydney to claim a deserving four length victory in 30.03.
REUNION ENHANCES HIS CAREER TALLY
Surprise Reunion brought his career tally to an impressive five wins from seven starts in the seventh race over the standard trip.
Trained by Marie Gilbert for the Three Legs Of Man Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Das Eadaoin was soon in charge, breaking smartly from two to make every inch. Old Tricks emerged as the nearest challenger but was never going to worry the pace-setter. Surprise Reunion would go on to score by our lengths in 28.93.
MIKE CLINGS ON IN OPENER
Monodie Mike was sent to traps a hot favourite in the A1 opener over 575yds but he had to really dig in to hold onto his early advantage with the extra yards really stretching his stamina.
Trained by Dave Bourke for the Southside Boys Syndicate, the son of Ballymac best and Kishlawn Amelia was in front from the outset but was lucky to hold the fast-finishing Town Lucky by a short head in 31.95.
URBAN TAKES FLIGHT
Urban Flight was off the pace for much of the way in the third race but came through late to win for Reggie Roberts.
The son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Megan may be a middle seed but he found a seam up the inside off the final turn to better the long-time leaders Marginforerror and Friend of Hanks. Urban Flight would hit the line a length clear of another big finisher, Cayan Lady, in 29.16.
MYSTERY OBLIGES
Corduff Mystery came in as a reserve to win the fifth race on the card for Laurence Jones.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Julies Paradise won the battle for second into the turn to turn behind Templeville Meg. Corduff Mystery made his move down the back straight, showing fine pace up the inside of the pace-setter to lead by the third turn. His work was far from done, however. Coolavanny Story flew home to close rapidly only for Corduff Mystery to hold on by a head in 29.18.
COCO GETS OFF THE MARK
Barry Clancy’s Innfield Coco (Ballymac Cashout/ Innfield Jasper) opened her account at the fourth time of asking in the A3 second race.
Getting up in the final strides to win by a neck from long-time pace-setter Hadtobejoe in 29.28. Only third into the turn, Innfield Coco displayed fine determination to win and is clearly on an upward curve.