GIZMO LEAVES SCORCH MARKS AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

There were numerous fine displays in the opening round of the Future Champion and Michael Fortune Memorial at Enniscorthy on Sunday evening but the real star of proceedings was Ballymac Gizmo as he emerged a sensational winner in a breathtaking 28.61.

In victory, Ballymac Gizmo completed a wonderful double for Liam Dowling that was earlier initiated by another bright prospect, Ballymac Sargie. 

GIZMO LOOKS SERIOUS

Ballymac Gizmo understandably took the headlines, however.

Racing from an inside draw in Heat 4, the son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Arminta was sent to traps the 1-3 favourite. Those that took the odds never had a moment’s worry.

Breaking smartly, he quickly shot clear and pulled right away to eventually cross the line twelve lengths clear of Corporal Jack in 28.61. A full brother to the wonderfully fast Ballymac Danica, it seems obvious from this brief cameo that Ballymac Gizmo has unlimited potential and he is certainly one to keep an eye on in the future.

SARGIE TOO STRONG

Ballymac Sargie had to work a little harder in Heat 3.

The son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze is a full brother to former Juvenile Classic and Shelbourne 600 winner Ballymac Wild and his strength was there for all to see.

Elite Kursk went up fastest to set a strong gallop but he was under severe pressure into the third turn. Despite being forced to check between the last two bends, Ballymac Sargie surged to the front on the final corner to emerge a three length winner in 29.04.

TED SHOWS PROMISE

Next fastest was Edward Sheridan and Brendan Murphy’s Itsallabouted in Heat 6.

A full brother to Ballinabola Ed, there were similarities with his older brother in the manner in which he took over into the turn. Not the fastest into stride, the son of Confident Rankin and Dolls Lady charged up the outside of the track to assert before the corner.

Once doing so, it was all one-way traffic. Racing right away from those in pursuit, the Pat Buckley trained youngster went on to score by a dozen lengths from Flomur Fern in 29.17.

FIERY PROVIDES JOE WITH A FINE WINNER

Joe Devlin previously sold Thorn Falcon out of this competition and he unleashed a very nice type in the opening heat with Fiery Mick overcoming come bother to run out a good winner.

Closely related to Thorn Falcon on the dam side, he displayed many similar qualities to the former English Derby winner.

Only fourth into the turn where he found a little crowding, he flew down the back straight to go second into the third turn. Moving straight past the pace-setting Rapido Ted between the last two bends, he eased on to emerge a three length winner in 29.24. Trinity Bella came through for second. It seems safe to suggest the winner will go considerably faster in the future and he is clearly a greyhound to keep a keen eye on.

GREEKO AN EASY WINNER

Robbie O’Neill and Adrian Maher took the second heat with Roanna Greeko.

A well bred son of Lenson Bocko and Shes Ordinary, the March ‘22 whelp cleared his rivals into the corner, avoiding a first bend scrimmage in the process. A mile clear by halfway, he cruised home thirteen lengths clear of Annual Presto in 29.40.

A DOUBLE FOR THE TWO JOHNS

Two Sovereigns won Heat 5 for John Simpson and John Kavanagh.

The hot favourite Badminton Bach shot clear and looked a certain scorer at the third turn only to cramp on the run in. This left Two Sovereigns, who had overcome early traffic, to come through on the run in for a three length verdict over Badminton Bach in 29.96. 

SOVS MAKES IT TWO

Simpson and Kavanagh later completed a fine double in the final heat as Donishall Sov reeled in the early pace-setter Piercestown Ella to claim a narrow victory.

Always close to the pace, the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Sovereign stayed close to the fence around the third turn to take over before turning for home. Amys Gem also stayed on well but Donishall Sov went on to score by three parts of a length in 29.79.

DUDE COMES OUT ON TOP

Liam Butler and Shanks Whelan had a winner in the penultimate heat with Piercestown Dude racing prominently throughout before taking over on the final turn.

The son of Pestana and Piercestown Moll led into the turn but was headed on the inside of the track by Cushie Rustic.

The pair continued to battle for the lead down the back straight before Piercestown Dude took over on the final bend. From there he eased on to win by a length from Cushie Rustic in 29.70. Unanimous Tyfoon caught the eye, finishing fast in third after plenty of traffic problems.