ZENITH WIZARD STRIKES GOLD IN SHAY ROONEY MEMORIAL FINAL

Peter Farrell

The €4,000-to-the-winner Shay Rooney Memorial 525 came to a fitting conclusion at Lifford Stadium on Saturday night, with the Michael Taggart-trained Zenith Wizard producing a fine performance to land the feature final.

A strong crowd attended the eight-race card in the Northwest, and the final more than lived up to expectations as Zenith Wizard made every post a winner for owner Birol Nadir. Still only an April ’24 pup, the youngster had shown his promise earlier in the competition when recording a sharp 28.98 (.20s) in the opening round, before finishing second in his semi-final behind local runner Beebees Princess.

OUT IN FRONT

A near three-week delay between the semi-finals and the final due to adverse weather was far from ideal, but Zenith Wizard showed no ill-effects as he returned to winning ways in impressive fashion.

Well housed in trap three, the powerful white and black broke sharply, posting a sizzling 2.61 sectional to outpace Eimears Lady on the run-up.

MERLIN IMPROVES

Early traffic at the opener impacted several runners, but it played into the paws of the wide-running Hollywell Merlin, who quickly moved into second for owner Alison Coxon.

A cracking duel developed thereafter and, with his strong-running style, Hollywell Merlin appeared the most likely winner at halfway. Just a length and a half separated the pair passing the 750-yard mark, with Hollywell Merlin edging closer around the bottom bends to set up a thrilling finish.

WIZARD DIGS DEEP

However, Taggart’s charge dug deep when it mattered most.

After a slight coming together off the final bend, the son of Out Of Range – Droopys Natalie found a second gear up the Lifford hill to pull clear and record a length-and-a-quarter victory in a brisk 28.88.

Congratulations are extended to the connections of Zenith Wizard on capturing this valuable prize, and thanks are also due to the sponsors of the stake.

Sponsor Mickey Rooney presents the trophy to Des Tigue following Zenith Wizard’s victory in the Shay Rooney Memorial A2/A3 525. Trainer Michael Taggart is pictured centre holding the winner, with RM Spencer Saberton also included alongside connections.