SIR DOMINATES TO TAKE DUBLIN FEATURE
Ian Fortune
On a night of superb displays at Shelbourne Park, Dear Sir took the feature on Friday, coming home clear in the final of the Talking Dogs A1 525.
The destination of the €3,000 prize was never in doubt once Laurence Jones’ son of Premier Fantasy and Dear Oh Dear shot to the front in the early yards. He quickly asserted and proceeded to emerge a five-length winner over Robbies Twirl in 28.50.
LUCKY PICKS UP TURBO IN 600 DECIDER
There was a dramatic finish to the final of the Two Steps To Victory Dual Distance with the favourite Blackeyed Turbo picked up in the closing strides by Town Lucky over the 600yd trip.
All seemed to b going to plan for the favourite when she shot from traps to turn with a few lengths in hand but Town Lucky is very strong and he began to close into the third turn.
Showing plenty of pace and stamina, Sean and A.J Dooley’s son of Dorotas Wildcat and Town Mouse continued to close on the run in before hitting the front late for a three parts of a length success in 32.27.
UNCLE KEITH A STAR IN THE MAKING
Uncle Keith looked a serious prospect in the second race on the card, showing great pace and strength to win on debut in 28.31.
Metallic Missile set the pace into the turn but Uncle Keith went up a close second from the outside box before staying to the fence to make his move down the back straight.
Showing great pace into the third turn, Uncle Keith shot up the inside of the early leader to move to the front. Metallic Missile did all he could to stay in touch but Uncle Keith was not for catching. Owned jointly by Mark Robinson and Jamie Burke-Ryan, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Pennys Jetstream eased on to win by four lengths. There is clearly more to come from the winner and he is worth keeping an eye on going forward.
BRIGHT START FOR GREGOR
Grouchos Gregor made a very bright start to his career in the opener, an ON1 525.
Although headed in the early yards by Zenith Bullet, the son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wisdom forced his way through on the fence at the bend.
Once doing so, he proceeded to make every inch to score for Ken O’Connell, Billy Thompson and trainer Dave Bourke. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the line, Grouchos Gregor went on to win by eleven lengths in a rapid 28.45.
There was traffic for a couple of those in behind at the third turn and Oriental Prince came through to take second, holding the eye-catching Newinn Hoffa by a half length.
HANS WINS A DRAMATIC AFFAIR
Maimai Hans is another to keep an eye on going forward after he came out on top in the third ON1 contest on the card.
Sent off the 4-5 favourite he was never far behind Pirate Polly before asserting into the third turn. From there he overcame the distraction of Pennys Awesome joining in after turning in traps to see off Highview Air by four lengths in 28.91.
ROMAN FASTEST IN TRI DISTANCE SEMIS
Crossfield Roman (Droopys Sydney/ Crossfield Feena) somehow managed to contain his litter brother and kennel companion Crossfield Matt to set the standard in the semi-finals of the Three Steps To Victory Ti Distance.
Making a fast start from the inside of the track, Brendan O’Shea’s charge made every inch. Crossfield Matt ran out of room on more than one occasion when challenging and will be fancied to reverse the form next week over 575yds but Crossfield Roman held him on this occasion by a half length in 30.02.
SPERRIN IS THE BOSS
Sperrin Boss (Grangeview Ten/ Gentle Trend) ran hard to win the opening heat in 30.25 for Dale Deakin and owners Pat McCullagh and Alan Briggs.
Daring Danny led for much of the way but Sperrin Boss charged to the front into the third turn before easing on to win by two lengths in 30.25.
DEAN COMPLETES O’SHEA DOUBLE
After scoring earlier in the evening with Crossfield Roman, Brendan O’Shea completed a double in the finale, the second semi-finals of the Upcoming Sweepstakes A2/A3 525, with Crossfield Dean.
A brother to Crossfield Roman, he displayed superb early peed to dominate before holding the staying on Johnnie On Faya by two lengths in 28.50.
LAURA MAKES ALL
The opening semi-final went the way of Larry Keane’s Rathanny Laura.
Trained by the in-form Liam O’Rourke, the daughter of Ballymac Kingdom and Ballymac Cameo forced her way to the front in the early yards and held off the persistent Jims Gem by a length in 28.79.