A NIGHT OF WONDERFUL DISPLAYS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Saturday’s action at Shelbourne Park really was required viewing.
Big performances were expected in both the feature races, the final of the Paddy Merriman Memorial and the Yvonne Barry Open 600, and the favourite obliged in both with Stonepark Hoffa and Ballinabola Jim both producing superb displays to win their respective assignments.
On top of all that, the semi-finals of the Maiden Derby were won in terrific fashion, while plenty of Derby clues were on offer in the sems of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Open 550 which featured the top two in the Derby betting.
HOFFA WINS A MERRIMAN THRILLER
Stonepark Hoffa was understandably a hot favourite for the Paddy Merriman Memorial and he completed his unbeaten record through the stake, although those that took short odds about the very speedy son of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Ella were made to sweat.
For the first time in the competition, the Michael O’Donovan trained brindle mistimed the start, only for his stunning early speed to allow him challenge into the turn. Going between Meenagh Monito and Coolavanny Brave, he somehow managed to force his way to the front.
It would prove a decisive maneouvre, although Coolavanny Brave kept him honest throughout. Meenagh Monito tried to get back into contention in third but it was always too big a gap to bridge. This left the front two to battle it out to the line.
Stonepark Hoffa dug deep for Michael O’Dwyer and he really needed to. Coolavanny Brave ran his heart out once again but the line came in time for Stonepark Hoffa as he held on to capture the wonderful €10,000 prize by a short head in 28.59. Meenagh Monito was a length further back in third.
Dolores Merriman presents the trophy to Michael Sean O'Dwyer after Stonepark Hoffa won the 2024 Paddy Merriman Memorial A1 525, also included are Kevin Kells, Gerry Merriman and Edel, Fay, Caroline and Michael (Snr) O'Dwyer. Pic: Imelda Grauer
BIG JIM JUSTIFIES FAVOURITISM
Coolavanny Otto was a non-runner for the Yvonne Barry Open 600, only to be replaced by Ballyhooly Tejay, but the headlines went to Ballinabola Jim as he produced a big run to emerge a comfortable winner despite having to work hard to the third turn.
Magical Sapphire broke fast from four and was soon in front but her attempts to get loose were foiled by Down To Business with the latter clipping her heels on the turn. It was minimal contact but cost her just enough momentum to allow the advancing Ballinabola Jim to race in her slipstream.
Magical Sapphire continued to lead into the third turn but Ballinabola Jim was now poised to strike. The Brendan Murphy trained powerhouse joined the leader before forcing his massive frame to the front. It was all one-way traffic thereafter.
Owned by the Ballinaboola Murphy Syndicate, the massive son of Good News and Ballinabola Rum charged clear to eventually emerge a two and a half length scorer in 32.40. the battle for second and third was far more competitive. Once headed, Magical Sapphire began to falter.
Glenlara Blue ran on to take second spot, while Ballyhooly Tejay flew home to finish just a short head behind Glenlara Blue in third.
Yvonne Barry presents the trophy to Aoibheann O'Leary after Ballinabola Jim won the 2024 Yvonne Barry Open 600, also included are owners Brendan and Mary Murphy and Dylan Brennan Racing Manager Shelbourne Park. Pic: Imelda Grauer
BOMBAY SENDS OUT A CLEAR WARNING
Bombay Pat was simply sensational in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby, so much so that Boylesports cut his price dramatically for the Boylesports Derby in the subsequent hours.
Drawn in the stripes in the final heat, the son of Pestana and Clear Mountain actually missed the start but rocketed into the corner to grab a three length advantage by the corner.
It was an incredible display of pure speed. Showing massive pace, the Graham Holland trained star quickly drew even further clear and, by halfway, the race was over as a contest. Born To Perform gave chase throughout but there was no stopping the pace-setter. Bombay Pat was relentless.
Owned by Pat Muldoon and Bayliss Gee, the September ’22 whelp raced to the most impressive five length verdict over Born To Perform in a rapid 29.21, the second fastest time of the year for the 550yd trip at Shelbourne.
MAASAI TOO HOT
Tarsna Maasai was next fastest when winning Heat 2 in similar fashion.
Headed at traps by the fast-starting Omey Mist, the son of Droopys Sydney and Tarsna Rose flew up the outside of the track to assert on the corner. It was little more than a solo thereafter.
Omey Mist gave chase throughout but Tarsna Maasai has been flying in recent times and he extended his advantage to halfway. Six lengths to the good at halfway, he continued to race with real purpose before emerging a facile five and a half length scorer for Geoff Parnaby in 29.52. Omey Mist qualified for the final in second.
CAZADOR TAKES HIS CHANCE
Coosane Pickles was a red-hot favourite for the opening heat but a tardy start and opening bend traffic ended her hopes.
Instead, Cazador displayed fine early speed up the fence to get to the front a long way before the bend.
Coosane Pickles improved her position into the bend but took a hefty bump. This left Cazador to race with freedom out front. Trained by Owen McKenna for the Auld Creator Syndicate, the son of Malachi and Cielo went on to emerge a good winner.
Coosane Pickles was fifth into the back straight but made up a huge amount of ground to go fourth. She carried her momentum into the home straight, picking up both Unanimous Roxy and Hawkfield Abbie to take second spot. Cazador was not for catching, however. In what was just his sixth career start, the July ’22 whelp claimed his third victory by a length and a half in 29.79.
Shelbourne Maiden Derby
Final draw
1 OMEY MIST
2 CAZADOR
3 BORN TO PERFORM
4 BOMBAY PAT (M)
5 COOSANE PICKLES (W)
6 TARSNA MAASAI (W)
******
SANDWICHES A TASTY TREAT
There were certainly Derby clues aplenty in the semi-finals of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Open 550 and Graham Holland will be more than happy with his double as Cheap Sandwiches and Bockos Diamond came out on top.
Callaway Knegare was hot favourite for the opening heat but despite sitting in a nice position into the turn, he was left short of room, on the corner and lost all hope of victory. In contrast, Cheap Sandwiches who seems to really appreciate the longer run to the turn over 550yds flew up the outside of the track to slip the field.
It was all over as early as the second turn with Cheap Sandwiches clear for his owners the Bark Whalberg Syndicate. Short Grip and Antigua hawk were his nearest rivals at this point but neither could land a glover on the leader.
The son of Burgess Bucks and Hearthill Josie galloped on to record a most impressive five length victory in 29.34. Dark Dilemma ran on with gusto to take second, while Short Grip was a half length away in third.
DIAMOND WINS A THRILLER
Bockos Diamond is now the hottest favourite for Derby glory in many years but he had to show all his class and determination to win the second semi final at the expense of Seven Beach, who continues to run at the highest level.
The pair dominated the betting and it was a similar scenario in the race itself. Seven Beach broke fastest from three but the Graham Holland trained Bockos Diamond was soon on the case. Showing terrific early speed, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow joined Seven Beach into the turn.
There was a bump between the pair at this point allowing Seven Beach to enter the back straight with a half-length in hand. His lead quickly disappeared, however. By halfway the pair were side by side, locked in a titanic tussle.
Neither was willing to give an inch and it made for a wonderful spectacle. Seven Beach had the inside line in his favour and battled with every ounce of his body but Bockos Diamond was also giving his all. In what was one of the best races of the year, Bockos Diamond, owned by the Remember When Syndicate, got up to win by a short head in 29.48. It was a brilliant contest and one that whets the appetite for future clashes between the pair.
TIME Greyhound Nutrition Open 550
Final draw
1 DARK DILEMMA
2 BOCKOS DIAMOND (M)
3 SEVEN BEACH (M)
4 SHORT GRIP (M)
5 ANNAGH BAILEY (W)
6 CHEAP SANDWICHES (W)
******
VAL BOOKS EARNS HIS DERBY TICKET
Racing commenced with Val Tashadelek earning his ticket for the Derby with a fine victory in the Boylesports Derby Trial Stake.
Representing Neilus O’Connell and Thomas Lynch, the son of Dorotas Wildcat forced his way to the front on the turn and proceeded to repel all challengers for a length and a half victory over the persistent Uncle Frankie in 29.95.
KAMARI SHOWS HER CLASS
The Murt Leahy trained Droopys Kamari proved that she is more than just early speed in the fourth race, showing great pace and determination to repel the challenge of Mustang fever for a mighty impressive success.
Pat Nagle’s daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Hunch flew to the turn to open a clear lead but she steered a middle to wide path allowing Mustang Fever to slip up the inside.
This set up a great tussle down the far side but Droopys Kamari always had a narrow advantage. Driving the third turn, she again opened up daylight on her rival before going on to see off Mustang Fever by two and a half lengths in a rapid 28.25.
HIGHVIEW MAKES A SPLASH ON RETURN
Dolores Merriman’s Highview Splash returned to action in impressive fashion in the second race on the card, an open 525.
Without a race since late June, the hugely talented son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Abbey blew away the cobwebs, flying from trap two to dominate in a comfortable three length victory over Evolution in 28.50.
DALGAN HOLDS ON IN A THRILLER
There was a tremendous finish to the third race with just over a length separating the first four home, although it was the long-time pace-setter Dalgan that managed to hold on from those advancing in behind.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Ballybrack Gem went up fast from two and was soon in command but the oxygen levels were beginning to dwindle as he turned for home. In a desperate finish, the Euro Dollar Syndicate owned Dalgan held on to win by a neck from Harlequin Dublin in 28.52.