MAGIC MOLLY ENDS 2023 WITH OAKS SUCCESS

Ian Fortune

Rathdown Molly has been a real star for Bill Mullholland and Marie Gilbert through 2023 and so few would begrudge her a brilliant success in the Shelbourne Christmas Oaks at a packed Shelbourne Park on Friday night.

After reaching the final of the Irish Sprint Cup, finishing runner-up in the Gold Cup early in the year and winning the Consolation Laurels as well as finishing a good second at the Winter Racing Festival, she certainly deserved this big race victory.

In truth, it was all quite straight forward for the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Some Ginger. Droopys Nice One broke fastest from trap four but Rathdown Molly came away racing and quickly made use of her early speed.

Once taking charge into the turn, defeat never seemed an option. Boylesports Coco flew into the turn to take up the chase but the early paced bitch was never going to get back on terms, although she did try her best throughout.

In the end, Rathdown Molly emerged a comfortable length and a half winner in a rapid 28.43. Droopys Nice One ran on strongly to grab second, just a short head to the good over Boylesports Coco.

Peter Burke Junior Minister of State and European Affairs presents the trophy to Mark Mulholland after Rathdown Molly won the Shelbourne Christmas Oaks 525 Final. Also included are trainers Des and Marie Gilbert, Michael Dempsey Racing Manager, John Lowry CLLR, Dave McManus and Colm McGrath.                      Pic: Imelda Grauer 

HOLIDAY TAKES FLIGHT

The final of the RCETS Open 525 featured a number of stars but Another Holiday produced yet another paw-perfect display to run away with proceedings.

One of two fine winners on the night for Michael O’Donovan, the Jack Roche owned son of Dorotas Wildcat and Vigorous Linsey was electric in the early yards, shooting from three to clear Ballymac Finn into the turn. 

Once going to the front, Another Holiday had the measure of those in behind. Ballymac Finn chased hard throughout but Another Holiday was at his very best and stretched clear to emerge an impressive six length winner in a rapid 28.33.

HUKUM BRINGS THE CURTAIN DOWN

A week after setting the standard in the semi-finals of the Talking Dogs Open 575, Hukum was even better in the decider, the final race of the Shelbourne Park year.

In truth, this was a wonderful way to end the year with the Adam Dunford trained son of Good News and Early Rise again dominating as he posted a stunning 30.97.

In what was only a four-dog contest, Hukum flew from the inside trap and had matters in hand from the outset. Ballinabola Jim moved into second to chase Hukum but the order never changed. The Fantasy Syndicate owned Hukum emerged a four length scorer, in turn ending the Shelbourne year on a real high.   

MIGHTY MOLL

Adam Dunford had earlier initiated a fine double with Leslie Coveney’s Fantasy Moll.

The daughter of Pestana and Newinn Madam displayed superior early speed to her rivals to emerge a good winner of the Barking Buzz A1 550.

Once taking charge in the early yards, Fantasy Moll always had matters in hand. Now Were Talkin emerged as the nearest challenger but Fantasy Moll eased on to score by three lengths in 29.98.

KAMARI GETS LOOSE

Droopys Kamari continued her rise up the rank with a fine display in the final of the Retired Greyhound Trust Open 525.

One of the joint favourites at 2-1, the Murt Leahy trained bitch didn’t break too fast but she died fly into the turn to challenge for the lead.

Showing real determination, she shot to the front on the corner before easing clear to the third turn. Droopys Kamari, owned by Daniel and Patrick Nagle, stayed on well to beat Lord Messi by four lengths in 28.61.

JERRY RUNS OUT A READY WINNER

Conall Doherty saw his Pharis Jerry run out a superb winner of the This Runs Deep A2 600.

It was something of a surprise when the son of Good News and Ravenswood Margo was picked up in the semis despite being left in a clear lead but he made no such mistakes on this occasion.

Showing the best early speed, he struck the front into the turn and continued to set a strong pace into the back straight. Glitzy Magic and Early News were both positioned to challenge but Pharis Jerry was relentless. Powering home, the August ’21 whelp went on to score by three lengths from Glitzy Magic in 33.10.  

GLENLUCE GOT LOOSE

Paula and Fraser Black sent out Glenluce to win the final of the Happy New Year A3 525 in tremendous front-running fashion.

The daughter of Magical bale and Source Of Joy flashed from trap five to dictate from the early yards and there was little Tecatito could do about it despite turning second.

The latter did close a little to the final turn but, when he swung wide at this point, the leader kicked again to eventually score by four lengths in 28.66.

LACEY DOMINATES

Those familiar with Blackstone Lacey and her style of racing would have never been in any doubt about her coming home in front in the sixth race as the powerful galloper made a fast start to turn in front over the 550yd trip.

Once doing so, there was very little her rivals could do. Simons Gap initially gave chase but he was headed into the third turn by Optic Chico. Neither were going to worry the pace-setter, however. Trained by Michael O’Donovan for Pat Sinnott, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan maintained a strong gallop throughout to see off Optic Chico by three lengths in 29.67.

A BAFTA FOR SWIFT

William White had a good winner in the form of Swift Bafta as he came through to see off Paradise Biko in the final of the Seasons Greetings A2/ A3 525.

 Stuie Griffin took the field along for much of the way but Swift Bafta charged up his inner at the third turn to take over. Paradise Biko also came home well but Swift Bafta went on to score by a length in 28.94.  

WINDOW GETS HER HEAD IN FRONT

The final of the Festive Season A2 Bitch 525 saw Headinthewindow (Good Cody/ Drifting Abby) shoot from the inside box to make all despite the best efforts of Chelsea Pat in the latter stages.

Trained by Murt Leahy for Michael O’Donovan, Headinthewindow held the challenge of Legit News to the third turn before going on to beat Chelsea Pat by a half length in 29.08.

A STEERING JOB

Sitandsteer (Pestana/ Slippery Diva) made his superior pace and power count from the third turn to win the opener, the final of the Christmas Cracker A4 525 for Ollie Bray and June Maguire.

There was a line of dogs challenging for the lead down the back straight but Sitandsteer powered past them on the third turn before drawing on to beat festive Fun by four lengths in 28.92.

MAXIMILIAN MAKES MOST OF DRAW

Maximilian made the most of an inside draw to win the fifth race for Danny Kehoe.

Mr Skinny Legs held a narrow lead into the turn but Maximilian stayed tight to the fence to move to the front as they hit the back straight.

Although never pulling clear, the son of Pestana and Ballycowen Lucy kept finding to repel the challenge of My Skinny legs and Brayview Picture. The latter looked a serious threat when moving second but could never get back on terms and Maximilian held on for a half length verdict in 28.88.