ZIGGY LEAVES IT LATE TO LAND FLYTLINE DECIDER

Ian Fortune

Thursday’s feature race at Shelbourne Park was the final of the Droopy Flytline @ Stud ON2 525 and it went right down to the wire with Coolemount Ziggy getting up late to emerge a narrow winner over the long-time leader Ballymac Chara.

The latter flew into the turn after a moderate start but held a three lengths advantage into the back straight. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be enough with Coolemount Ziggy slipping around on the fence to go second.

Trained by Liam O’Rourke for Larry Keane, the son of Crash and Highview Willow would begin to close the gap around the last two bends before joining and heading Ballymac Chara on the line for a short head success in 29.03. Droopys Flirty made up plenty of ground in behind the front two to finish just a half-length away in third. 

MOSCOW REPELS RIVALS

Early speed was the key to success for Meenagh Moscow in the final of the Shelbourne Regulars A4/A5 525.

Michael Corr’s daughter of Blame The Game and Meenagh Melody would repeal all challengers to see of a rallying Syrax in the closing stages by a neck in 28.93.

BERRITXU A COMFORTABLE WINNER

The last of the three finals up for decision was that of the Restaurant Packages A3/A4 550.

Hot favourite Berritxu did what was needed, forcing his way to the front on the corner before going on to record a comfortable five length verdict over Rustys Councel in 30.04. 

BALE BRILLIANT IN TRI-DISTANCE

Elsewhere on the card there was a superb display from Andrew Wheldon’s Roseville Bale as he posted a fastest of the night 28.65 in a dominant display of front running in the last of the three opening round heats in the Shelbourne Park Museum A3/A4 Tri Distance.

Always on the lead after a fast start from three, the son of Magical Bale and Roseville Liz always had the measure of those in behind, powering from the final turn to win by three and a half lengths from the staying on Kilmore Bullet in 28.65.

To highlight the strength of the run, the other semi-finals were won by Noah Morgan’s Chevals Son in 29.14 and Pat McDonagh’s Da Bold Rose in 29.20. The Suzanne Collins trained Chevals Son made all to win by hold Bust The Tins by a short head, while Da Bold Rose was prominent from the outset before seeing off Read The Room by a short head.