WONDERFUL CUP ACTION AS DYNASTY GOES FASTEST
Ian Fortune
There were some outstanding performances in the quarter finals of the Dublin Cup at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with three of the four heat winners ensuring that this will be their final start in graded company for some time.
Honour of going fastest went to Highview Dynasty as she stormed home to win in 28.44, although Brickhill Sky and Kanturk Clon weren’t far behind her on the clock.
DYNASTY SHOWS MASSIVE PACE
Despite opening her account in fine style a week earlier, Dolores Merriman’s Highview Dynasty was sent to traps a 5-1 chance.
Silverhill Bucko got loose at the front end, chased by Firstpastthepost but neither had any answer to Highview Dynasty.
The Gerry Merriman trained daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Moment was only fourth into the back straight but displayed huge pace into the third turn to move second. Silverhill Bucko continued to dictate out front but he was showing signs of fatigue.
In contrast, Highview Dynasty was motoring. She forced her way to the front as they turned for home before staying on well to emerge a four-length winner over Firstpastthepost. Silverhill Bucko held on for third a further length and a half adrift.
SKY TAKES OFF TO GO FAST
Brickhill Sky was next fastest when taking Heat 3 for Marie Gilbert and Jason Whyte.
This was little more than a procession for the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes. Flashing from the inside box, she made every inch to see off the always second Mutts Maximus by five lengths in 28.45. Third went to Atouchofmagic a further three lengths back.
CLON TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Kanturk Clon was a warm favourite to win the opening heat.
John Byrne’s son of Good News and Clongeel Mills was too sharp for his rivals in the early yards, showing good early speed off a level start to dictate on the bend.
Hazelhill Marty initially gave chase but Gallant Star would come through to emerge as the nearest rival to Kanturk Clon. The latter was in a league of his own, however. Staying on well, he emerged six and a half lengths clear of Gallant Star in 28.53. Hazelhill Marty was just a head away in third.
HOFFA TAKES ADVANTAGE
The final heat of the round was messy with a number of the participants finding traffic in the early exchanges.
Anton Butler’s Telex Hoffa took full advantage. After forcing his way to the front into the turn, he was left clear before coasting to a comfortable seven and a half-length success over the fast-finishing Bounceback Luna in 29.06. Foulkscourt Cody was best of the rest, a length further adrift in third.
KATIE SETS STANDARD IN CALLAWAY PRO AM UNRACED
Some nice types were unveiled in the semi-finals of the of the Denis Murphy sponsored Callaway Pro Am @ Stud ON1 350 and the sponsor’s own Callaway Katie set the standard with a fine 18.76 return in the second heat.
This quickly developed into a two-dog affair with Carlow Rd Dancer and Callaway Katie disputing the pace in the early yards. The latter got the better of her rival into the turn but needed to be on her toes on the run in as he rallied in second.
The Owen McKenna trained daughter of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Arminta was up to the task, however. Callaway Katie held off Carlow Rd Dancer by a half lengths to justify odds-on favouritism.
JET POWERED BALLYROE IMPRESSES ON DEBUT
The opening heat saw Ballyroe Jet score at 6-1 for Kevin Losty.
The son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Laughil Anna was making a belated debut but he clearly sset out to make up for lost time, showing fine early dash after a level start. Asserting into the bend, he was always in control as he saw off Rolo Jasper by two lengths in 19.07.
JACK COMPLETES A DOUBLE FOR ANTON
After winning with Telex Hoffa earlier on the card, Anton Butler completed a double in the ninth race with Blackhill Jack staying on well to emerge a good winner.
Dots Choice set a strong pace after a fast start but ran out of steam.
Old Road Villain gave chase passing halfway but Shane Duggan’s Blackhill Jack put the foot down into the third turn to move second. He cruised past the tiring Dots Choice on the run in to emerge a two-length winner in 28.86 over Old Road Villain.
MIGHTY MAGGOT
Actindamaggot has been on a heater in recent weeks and he claimed another impressive victory in the penultimate race on the card for Ian Reilly and David Murtagh.
A tricky draw in four failed to stop the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva from dominating.
Showing good early speed, he cleared those on his inner to make virtually all. Aussie Reward emerged from the pack to take second but Actindamaggot was too good as he ran out a ready eight length winner in a fast 28.52.
STAR POWERS HOME TO WIN FINALE
Racing ended with Durrow Star powering home to deny long-time leader Galloping Jack.
The latter forced his way through a narrow gap on the fence at the turn to assume control but the writing was on the wall when Durrow Star turned close to the pace.
The Francie Murray trained daughter of Pestana and Rural Aloha rode a bump on the turn to go second early in the back straight. It left her in the perfect position to strike. Galloping Jack continued to run with purpose turning for home but Durrow Star was simply too strong. Diarmuid O’Neill’s powerful tracker came out on top by a length and a half in 31.39.
NINA BOMBS HER RIVALS
Jack Kennelly had one of the best sprinters in training in 2025 in the form of Sogna Ancora and it seems he has another potential top sprinter to go to war with.
Bomber Nina was having just her second career start in the fourth race over the sprint trip but it was hardly evident as she looked a real professional as she maintained her unbeaten record.
Breaking smartly, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Cams outpaced her rivals into the turn and continued to pile on the pressure on the run in. She would eventually run out a comfortable and most impressive three and a half length winner over Microchip in 18.75. There is plenty to come from the winner.
CORNETTO THE ONE
The judge was forced into action in the opening contest giving the verdict to One Cornetto as she came from behind to deny Sunnyside Aoife in the final stride.
Trained by Beatrice Steiner for the Alpine Rose Syndicate, the daughter of Flying Penske and Droopys Cuckoo moved second on the turn but needed every inch of the 525yd trip to get to the leader. She did so by a short head in 29.17.