A REAL DELIGHT AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The aptly named Real Delight was the undoubted star at Shelbourne Park on Thursday as she came in as a reserve to emerge a superb winner of the feature, the final of the December Monthly Novice ON2 525, for Hall of Fame handler Francie Murray and his son Francis.

An eye catcher in the opening round when finishing well, the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Great Intentions met all sorts of traffic in the semis after a slow start to crash out in fourth. But when she came in as a reserve, she was ready to take her chance.

A 4-1 chance in the betting with Ardera Harvey and Danikas Sapphire dominating the market, she made light work of her task. Third into the turn behind the fast-starting Fancy Fada and Razldazl Tully, Real Delight displayed exceptional pace from the second bend to turn this contest into a rout. 

Moving with real purpose to the third turn, the February ’24 whelp flew past her rivals to take charge and she was relentless all the way to the line. Danikas Sapphire did run on well in behind but there was no stopping Real Delight.

On a track rated very conservatively at ’20 slow, she posted a fastest of the night 29.17 in seeing off Danikas Sapphire by four and a half lengths in 29.17.Ardera Harvey was third, a further length and a half back. Have no doubt, the winner’s time was considerably better than it looks on paper and she is an exciting prospect for 2026.