TIMING AND DREAM SHINE IN OAKS SEMIS
Ian Fortune
The stage is set for a wonderful finish to the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks after Droopys Timing and Bobsleigh Dream successfully earned their place in the decider with two superb performances in the semis at a busy Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
It was a memorable night at HQ with many superb displays including that of Churchtown Syd and Hawkfield Blue in the semi-finals of the GRI Summer AO 525, while Music Glideaway also confirmed his superiority in the final of the valuable RCETS A1 575. But the highlight was undoubtedly the Oaks action and little separated the heat winners on the clock.
MORE PERFECT TIMING
With each outing through the Oaks, Droopys Timing has taken a step forward and the talented daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Zero continued her upward trajectory in the opening semi-final, again showing fine early speed to make every inch for Paul Cronin.
There seemed to be movement in traps ahead of the start but it certainly didn’t affect Droopys Timing who burst from the inside box to lead the field into the corner. Easy Razzle flew up on the outside of the track to challenge for second spot but was carried wide by Burgess Rapid, who found herself short of room.
It meant that Droopys Timing entered the back straight in control over Quivers Magic and easy Razzle with Scooby Duchess now improving on the fence. Showing massive huge back straight speed, Scooby Duchess moved second into the third turn and emerged as a massive threat to the pace-setter but she was forced to check her stride.
This left Droopys Timing to lead the field into the straight and she stayed on well to secure a thoroughly deserved length verdict over Scooby Duchess in 28.43. Quivers magic stayed on strongly to finish just a head behind in third.
DREAM INTO ANOTHER CLASSIC DECIDER
Reigning Leger and Cesarewitch champion Bobsleigh Dream will take her place in another classic decider after another power-packed display in the second heat, picking up Crafty Shivoo on the run in to emerge a good winner for Pat Buckley and Willie Joe Murphy.
On a night when her half-brother Brinkleys Magic was one of the fastest heat winners in the English Derby, Bobsleigh Dream completed a wonderful night for the family. The brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Bobsleigh Jet actually came away fastest to lead in the early yards but she was reeled in to the turn by the early paced duo of Crafty Shivoo and Boylesports Coco.
Boylesports Coco moved into a narrow advantage, shadowed by Crafty Shivoo, while Bobsleigh Dream was just over two lengths back, alongside her kennelmate Glengar Martha, in third as they entered the back straight.
The race was now on. The early paced duo out front had a great buckle into the third turn with Crafty Shivoo just getting the better of the argument but Bobsleigh Dream was just too close. As Crafty Shivoo edged across Boylesports Coco, Bobsleigh Dream moved off the fence to shoot around Boylesports Coco and into second.
It was now only a matter of time before she picked up the new pace-setter. Carrying her momentum into the home straight, she quickly moved upsides and past Crafty Shivoo before going on to record a length victory in 28.47. Glengar Martha stayed on well in third, a further two and a half lengths adrift.
Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks
Final draw
1 CRAFTY SHIVOO
2 QUIVERS MAGIC
3 BOBSLEIGH DREAM
4 DROOPYS TIMING
5 GLENGAR MARTHA
6 SCOOBY DUCHESS
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MUSIC GLIDES AWAY INTO THE TURN
Music Glideaway serves as the perfect example of a greyhound who found his feet with a step up in trip.
The Pat Guilfoyle trained star wasn’t crying out for a greater test of stamina but rather a longer run to the turn.
The 575yd trip has really provided him with the opportunity to show his greatest strengths and it was no surprise to see him claim his third success on the spin as he completed his march through the valuable RCETS Open 575 with another brilliant display in the final.
Breaking on terms with the likes of Kilgraney Mac, Crossfield Auric and Ranchers Master, it was immediately evident that the favourite had the superior speed into the turn. The son of Newinn Taylor and Glideaway Magic quickly moved to the front, comfortably clearing Kilgraney Mac.
It meant Music Glideaway entered the back straight with over three lengths in hand, although he was to be tested at the business end. Ballymac Run began to bridge the gap into the third turn and looked a serious threat only to flatten on the run in.
Instead, Ranchers Master ran on strongly to push Music Glideaway in the final yards. It wasn’t meant to be, however. Music Glideaway, owned by the Pension Plan Syndicate, kept going to contain his rival by a half length in a fast 31.00.
Conor Matthews Racing Support Officer Shelbourne Park presents the trophy to Bob Shanahan and the Pension-plan Syndicate after Music Glideaway won the RCETS A1 575 at Shelbourne Park. Also included are trainer Pat Guilfoyle and Jayden Loughnane. Pic: Imelda Grauer
SYD SETS THE SUMMER STANDARD
The semi-finals of the GRI Summer AO 525 provided two tremendous winners as both Hawkfield Blue and Churchtown Syd came home five lengths clear in their respective heats.
Honour of going fastest went to the latter, although he did give his many followers a few moments of concern into the third turn.
His task was made somewhat easier when Angry Grandad got stuck in traps, leaving Churchtown Syd to lead around the corner after holding Salmic Fitz. Once turning in front, most would have expected the powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Skywalker Pearl to ease away but he looked vulnerable into the third turn with both Salmic Fitz and Urban View almost joining him.
It seemed to serve as a wake-up call to the pace-setter. Trained by Denis Fitzgerald for Michael Crotty, Churchtown Syd kicked again before powering up the straight. In a short space of time he went from being just inches in front to leading by in excess of three lengths.
Maintaining a powerful gallop to the line, Churchtown Syd emerged a comfortable five length winner over Feelsawumble in a rapid 28.39, while Salmic Fitz also qualified a further half length back in third.
BRILLIANT BLUE IMPRESSES AGAIN
He may have been headed by his half-sister Hawkfield Ava for much of the way but Hawkfield Blue still emerged a wonderful winner of the opening heat.
The key to success for Jerry Connor’s Hawkfield Blue was containing Capitan Garfio into the bend. By doing so, he got first crack Hawkfield Ava and he took full advantage.
Showing superb back straight pace, the Keeley McGee trained Hawkfield Blue shot through on the fence to take up the running and he proceeded to ease away for a superb five length success over Gapitan Garfio in 28.62. Hawkfield Ava was another two lengths back in third.
GRI Summer AO 525
Final Draw
1 CHURCHTOWN SYD
2 HAWKFIELD BLUE
3 CAPITAN GARFIO
4 FEELSAWUMBLE
5 HAWKFIELD AVA (M)
6 SALMIC FITZ (M)
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SIX ONE GOING THE RIGHT WAY
There was so much to like about the display of Lotto Six One as he came home clear in the eighth race for Shaun Conway and the Lotto Express Syndicate.
In a race where there was an opening bend scrimmage, Lotto Six One had put himself in total command long before the traffic.
The son of Good News and Shes Made It flew up from the outside box and was clear of his rivals as he turned left. Urban Fire emerged as the main threat, closing a little into the third turn but Lotto Six One kicked again at the final bend. Running right to the line, the March ’21 whelp came home six and a half lengths to the good in a fast 28.39.
ORLA TOO STRONG FOR PEACH
Brendan O’Shea’s Crossfield Orla came in as a reserve into the second race to win a great battle with Footfield Peach.
Mr Big John set the pace to the turn but was immediately under pressure from Crossfield Orla.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Crossfield Kate struck the front on the second turn only to be picked up and headed by the eye-catching Footfield Peach at the third turn. Crossfield Orla is very strong, however, and predictably came roaring back at her rival. In a great finish, Crossfield Orla got back up to see off Footfield Peach by a half length in 28.46.
BOBBY BOUNCES OUT
Blackstone Bobby was sharper than his rivals in the ninth race, allowing the son of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan to make every inch for a narrow victory over the persistent Cheque For Sir.
The latter closed on the run in but couldn’t quite get back on terms. Blackstone Bobby, trained by Michael O’Donovan for Pat Sinnott, emerged a half-length winner in 28.52.
WELL MET WINS FINALE
Well Met was at his best in the finale over 550yds, showing all his many qualities to see off a talented field including the eye-catching hot favourite Ryhope Beach.
The latter missed the kick and flew home to grab second but Well Met was not for catching.
Showing early speed from trap two, he bettered Tommy Hewick on the bend to move into a clear advantage to halfway. It was clear into the third turn that Tommys Hewick wasn’t going to pick him up. The same could be said for Hanover Phantom in third.
Lawrence Jones’ Well Met ran right to the line with the son of Ballymac Best and Corduff Flame come home two lengths clear in 29.68. It was almost a shock to see Ryhope Beach finish second. He flew from the third turn to finish as close as he did and remains one to keep an eye on going forward.
CASHOUT TAKES OFF
Must Leahy and Gavin O’Mahoney would have been more than pleased with the display of Storys Cashout as he came home at speed to win the penultimate race.
Hello Mom set a strong gallop after a fast start, but was challenged by Stefans Rock into the third turn.
The latter moved to the front but his lead was short-lived. Storys Cashout was now in full stride in third and he flew around the outside of the front two to strike the front turning for home. It was a decisive and most pleasing on the eye display. The son of Tullymurry Act and Droopys Hunch stretched on to win by an ever-widening three lengths over Stefans Rock in 30.04.
REBEL LOOKS A PROSPECT
Rebel Sapphire looked a bright prospect in the opening race on the card, posting a rapid 28.52 on debut for Stephen Dunne and the Bombay Racing Syndicate.
The daughter of Laughil Blake and Jewel Maiden has shown ability in qualifying but this was a far superior run.
Going up fast, the October ’21 whelp took over from the fast starting Euro Dreamer into the turn and proceeded to turn the contest into a procession. Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, Rebel Sapphire went on to see off Innfield Lucky by six and a half lengths.