EXCITING CHIEF TO MISS SHELBOURNE DATE WITH MONMORE IN MIND

    EXCITING CHIEF TO MISS SHELBOURNE DATE WITH MONMORE IN MIND

    Ian Fortune

    The opening round of the Gizmo Cash ON2 525 provided some encouraging displays at Shelbourne Park on Friday night last but there was one standout performance, that of Jacktavern Chief in the first of the four heats.

    Fittingly in a competition named after one of the great early paced greyhounds of recent years, Jacktavern Chief displayed electric speed from traps, and into the turn, before cruising home clear in 28.82.

    The bare form may not look sensational surface track conditions were certainly toughest at that point in proceedings and the track should probably have been rated on the slow side. It’s also pretty understandable that in his first race, he tired a little in the closing yards.

    But have no doubt, the son of Serene Ace and Droopys Natalia is destined for big things. Given his pedigree, he is also bred to be pretty special. His half-comrades include 2023 UK Greyhound of the Year and dual Leger winner Droopys Clue, 2024 Select Stakes champion Droopys Fidget and leading UK stayer Droopys Flotilla.

    MONMORE THE IMMEDIATE TARGET

    Sadly, Jacktavern Chief won’t be taking his place in the second round of the Gizmo Cash @ Stud ON2 525 with his connections favouring a crack at the Monmore Puppy Derby which commences in early March.

    His handler David Byrne confirmed in recent days that he will be taking his exciting prospect across the water or a crack at the Category 1 event and expects the Monmore circuit to suit his razor-sharp tracker. He also suggested that his debut success came as no surprise, stating he displayed big early speed from the very start.

    His owners, the recently formed Untold Jacktavern Partnership, can start dreaming of his big race success. As the saying goes, ‘early pace wins the race’ and that is something Jacktavern Chief, much like his young sire Serene Ace, has in abundance.   

    *The Monmore Puppy Derby gets underway on Saturday March 1st. It is worth £20,000 to the winner and the final is scheduled for Saturday, March 15th.