WONDERFUL RACING AS YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park served up a card of serious quality on Saturday as the stars of the future played their part in making this one of the more memorable cards of the year.
There were numerous brilliant displays sin the semi-finals of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks and opening round of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake with Ballymac Kamala and Shotgun Dez setting a strong standard in their respective assignments.
KAMALA RAZOR SHARP
While her kennel companion Solo And Go was going agonisingly close to capturing the Laurels in Cork, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Kamala was producing a very similar run in the semi-finals of the Puppy Oaks, showing outstanding pace to build a sizeable advantage to halfway.
Posting sectionals of 2.02 and 15.79, none of her rivals could land a blow to the third turn but then Ballydoyle Tina began to emerge as a danger. In a tremendous finish, Ballymac Kamala dug deep to contain the flying finish of her rival. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete held on by a short head in a brilliant 28.15. Ballydoyle Tina ran an exceptional race in second, again highlighting her incredible promise, while Ballymac Chantry also finishing fast just two lengths away in third.
KATIE WITH A GOOD DISPLAY
The opening semi-final saw Good Katie returning to winning ways for John Kennedy Junior.
The hugely talented daughter of Dromana Bucko and Hugh Dream broke smartly from four and quickly set about clearing her rivals.
Im Not Cynical also went up fast and the pair bumped a couple of times into the bend before Good Katie asserted on the corner. It was a decisive move. Showing great pace and determination, Good Katie stayed on well to maintain a comfortable lead to the line. She saw off Im Not Cynical by two lengths in 28.49 with Ballymac Altobel flying home to finish another two lengths adrift in third.
SHOTGUN FIRES TO SET STANDARD IN NATIONAL PUPPY
The opening round of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake was packed with wonderful displays, although none went as fast on the night as Shotgun Dez.
In what was just his second Shelbourne start, the son of Kling Sheeran and Danish Robyn was hugely impressive for Graham Holland and owners Pat and Molly Muldoon.
Droopys Map flew from traps to dictate early but Shotgun Dez displayed superb early speed and balance to shoot around the early leader on the corner. It was a most impressive maneouvre and ended up being a decisive one. Getup The Boy moved into second and displayed all his power to close on the new leader but Shotgun Dez was strong to the line to contain Getup The Boy by a head in 28.13. Droopys Map finished fast to sit just a length and a half behind in third.
HOFFA SHOWS PLENTY OF CLASS
Next fastest was the hugely promising Newinn Hoffa as he initiated a National Puppy Stake double for Graham Holland in the opening heat.
The massive son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Newinn Cuckoo shot from the inside trap and made every inch although Ballycowen Frank kept things interesting, flying home in second to sit just a length behind the winner.
The Jolly Good Company Syndicate owned Newinn Hoffa stopped the clock in 28.25. Ballymac Siun was three lengths away in third.
RULE WITH THE EARLY ADVANTAGE
After running well through the Paddy Merriman Memorial, it was no shock to see Advantage Rule emerging a superb winner of the final heat in 28.29 for Kurtis Bain and owners, the Liquorice Allsorts Syndicate.
The son of Grangeview Ten and Myahs Friend was razor sharp in the early yards, building a lead into the turn and he proceeded to run with real purpose throughout. Sawdust Barry chased hard from the start but Advantage Rule held off that rival by three lengths in 28.29. Ballycowen Daisy progressed in third, a further three lengths back.
A BEAUTIFUL RUN FROM PAUL
Early speed was also the key ingredient in the victory of Beautiful Paul in Heat 2.
Flashing from three, the Marie Gilbert trained son of Good Cody and Dolce Vita dominated from the start. Beanos Yank emerged as a danger in the second half of the contest but Beautiful Paul was not for catching.
Owned by the Kildare Boys On Tour Syndicate, Beautiful Paul ran through the line to win by a length and a half in 28.34. Beanos Yank was second with Ballinabola Otis another two lengths adrift in third.
BEN BOUNCES OUT
Betgoodwin Ben (pic right)
Antoine Carre presents the trophy to Eamon Doyle after Betgoodwin Ben won the Excel Quest AAO 525, also included is joint owner Robert O'Brien, Pauline Buckley wife of trainer Pat Buckley and representatives of sponsors Excel Quest from France. Pic: Imelda Grauer
set a strong standard in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Opens AA0 525, bouncing from traps to dominate in the second heat.
Trained by Pat Buckley for Eamonn Donnchadh Doyle, the son of Grangeview Ten and Global Glengar was flawless.
Riverside Popsy stayed on really strongly in second but Betgoodwin Ben was always in complete control before emerging a two and a half length winner in a fast 28.20.
HIDALGO JUST TOO STRONG
The opening heat went the way of Lemon Hidalgo as he outstayed Brockagh Justine to lead inside the final fifty yards.
Tom Lennon’s strong running son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana was third for much of the journey behind Brockagh Justine and Jacktavern Storm before
Making his move from the third turn to go second, he charged up the straight to claim a three parts of a length success in 28.37. Brockagh Justine was a good second.
PICKLES HAUNTING LEP
Coosane Pickles and Lookandlep continued their rivalry in the opener, an Open 575 with the result having a very similar look to it.
Lookandlep set a searching gallop only to be picked up by Coosane Pickles in the closing yards.
The duo have now met four times in their last five starts with Coosane Pickles emerging a narrow winner in each of the four occasions. This time, the Michael O’Donovan trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Pickles was always too close for comfort in second. Clement Ryan’s powerhouse charged up the straight to beat Lookandlep by a half length in 30.94.
DURROW A STAR IN WAITING
Durrow Star returned to her best form to win the finale over 550yds for Francie Murray and owner Diarmuid O’Neill.
The strong running daughter of Pestana and Rural Aloha carried little luck in the recent Lifford Oaks but the step up to 550yds really played to her strengths.
Surprise Reunion set a strong gallop and entered the back straight with a few lengths in hand but the 550yds was to stretch him. Kereight Pimple gave chase but Durrow Star recovered from a slow start to move third as they hit the back straight.
This left her close enough to play a big part at the finish. Showing real strength from halfway, the August ’23 whelp drew closer with each stride before powering up the home straight. In a very tight finish, she collared Surprise Reunion by a short head in 29.71.