ROMEO TAKES HEADLINES ON NIGHT OF SUPERB DISPLAYS AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
With Saturday’s card acting as a fundraiser for the Senior Citizens Parliament, featuring enhanced prizemoney, there was both a good crowd and tremendous racing to report on.
Many of those in action have been making headlines lately and there were many superb displays to speak of.
But top billing goes to Priceless Romeo who put in a serious run over the 600yd trip in the finale, in turn completing a first/last race double for legendary handler Paul Hennessy.
ROMEO OH ROMEO
Derby semi-finalist Waitingforastar was installed favourite for the race but a tardy start left him struggling for racing room in the early exchanges.
In contrast, Brian and Kathleen Murphy’s Priceless Romeo was at his very sharpest.
He too had gone to the Derby semi-finals, losing out by an agonising short-head to make the final, but he has clearly dusted himself down and set his sights on winning more races. After an encouraging run in third in the Derby consolation, he was at a different level on this occasion.
Flashing from five, the talented son of Priceless Jet and Priceless Opera was in pole position after a stride. The wonderfully consistent Timmys Bucks turned second and gave chase throughout but Priceless Opera was in complete command. Maintaining a relentless gallop throughout, he ran right through the line to see off Timmys Bucks by three and a half lengths in 32.24.
DESIRE BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Lee Craze’s Lennies Desire is now firmly established as one of the best stayers in training.
Of course, prior to his career as a stayer, he was also one of the fastest over four bends. Hence, it was no surprise to see him winning the opener over the 575yd trip, especially when he got off the front early.
The son of Signet Ace and Free From Desire made every inch, initiating a double for Paul Hennessy, although that doesn’t tell the full story. He was kept on his toes throughout as Jacktavern Bull ran a big race in defeat.
In fact, the latter closed into the third turn to challenge, but Lennies Desire is a tough nut to crack and kicked again off the final turn to emerge an impressive two and a half-length winner in a rapid 30.99.
MIGHTY MIST FOLLOWS UP
A week after his stunning success on Derby final night over two bends, Vernon Mist was at it again in the open sprint.
Again, flashing from traps, this time the inside box, the Gerry Holian trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Sanjose never saw a rival.
Callaway Danny and Velvet Samba had their own personal battle for second with the former coming out on top but there was no stopping Vernon Mist. PJ Quinn’s charge raced to a most impressive five length victory in 18.41.
SHELBY SHOWS HIS CLASS
Roaming Shelby is quickly establishing himself as one of the best in the business.
He faced a tough draw in the stripes in the Open 550 seventh race, but an impressive turn of early speed saw him quicken his way into the lead before containing the always second Sober Barry.
Trained by Graham Holland for Paul Ellis and Seamus Hagan, it’s hard not to be impressed by Roaming Shelby. The son of Tommy Shelby and Roaming Shari just seems to be getting sharper with each outing and he proceeded to turn his early advantage into a comfortable length verdict over the rallying Sober Barry in 29.53.
FEATHER DUSTS OFF RIVALS
Fastest run over the standard trip came from Droopys Feather as she further cemented her standing as one of the most exciting bitches in training, maintaining her unbeaten career record in the process.
Drawn in two, Kieran Grant’s daughter of Droopys Addition and Droopys Alyssa was razor sharp at boxes, flashing from two to dominate in the opening yards. The Robert Gleeson trained star didn’t have things all her own way, however.
Droopys Unreal turned second with Newinn Uganda third and the duo closed right up into the third turn. Droops Feather seemed to feel their presence and she responded. Kicking again, while also maintaining a true racing line, she entered the home straight with a length in hand and held her advantage to the line to see off Droopys Unreal by a length in 28.23.
DUKE RULES FOR CON
Con Guiney has an incredible strike rate when he turns up in Dublin and Thurlesbeg Duke only enhanced his record in the penultimate race on the card.
Showing his rivals a clean pair of heels in an Open 575.
As was the case with a few winners on the card, the son of Priceless Jet and Luna Rocket had won last time out and was making it two wins on the spin. In control from the opening yards, he hit the first bend with a number of lengths in hand and it was all very straightforward thereafter.
Highbury Days emerged from the pack to give chase but Thurlesbeg Duke raced to a comfortable four length victory in 31.07.
WINK BOLTS CLEAR
Boltaway Wink produced a superb effort win the seventh race on the card, an open 525, in fine professional manner.
A dog blessed with fine early speed, he used his greatest asset to great effect to get first run on his rivals including the warm favourite Slick Sanctuary.
Trained by Ian Reilly for the KSS Syndicate, Boltaway Wink lived up to his name going up fast from three to secure the lead on the turn. Slick Sanctuary used his inside line to turn second but could never get close enough to worry the pace-setter. Boltaway Wink, a son of King Sheeran and Highway Wink, ran right to the line to score by four lengths in 28.39.
OBELISK STANDS TALL
Early speed was the name of the game for Obelisk in the third race as he followed up his most recent win on his Shelbourne debut with another fine display of front running.
Trained by Vincent McKenna for Pat Hartnett, the son of Orchestrate and Lillies Supreme displayed superb early dash after a fast start to race a mile clear of his rivals. Despite coming back to the field in the closing yards, Obelisk emerged a ready two and a half-length winner over Cooga Ted in 28.55.
CASH CLAIMS THE PRIZE
Cash Prize made it two wins from two starts in the A1 second race.
Joe Tynan’s promising son of Ballymac Cashout and Jet Ski Lady made his own luck from an inside draw. Driving up the fence, he forced his way to the front on the bend and quickly put the result beyond doubt.
The Joe Ivory trained November ’24 whelp maintained a strong gallop throughout to hold off the best efforts of Callaway Katie by two lengths in 28.58.
LEMONADE FIZZES
Murt Leahy and the Punch Drunk Four Syndicate were on the mark in the fourth race as Droopys Lemonade came through to lead Terra Firma in the closing stages before containing Durrow Star for a good victory.
Slippery Brian actually led into the turn but was forced wide by Terra Firma, who then took up the pace-setting duties. Droopys Lemonade turned second and pressed throughout before taking over on the run in. the daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Drape then held off the late flurry of Durrow Star by a half-length in 28.61.
PLAYDATE STORMS CLEAR
Playdate Storm won the fifth race on the card in an identical time.
Much like his previous outing at Shelbourne, the Scott Phelan trained son of Hawkfield Ozark flew from boxes to dictate the pace and proceeded to come home in front. James Stevenson’s speedster saw off the challenge of Blackstone Flash before holding off the staying on Two Chimneys by two and a half lengths in 28.61.
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