PRINTER SHOWING REAL PROMISE

Ian Fortune

The RCETS ON1/ON2 Series continued at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night and, for the second week running, Droopys Printer set the standard as he recorded a rapid 28.37.

As he did seven days earlier, Ballyard Shawny set a strong gallop but Droopys Printer was always too close once turning second. Succession also turned a close third and ran well in defeat but Droopys Printer was the undoubted star of proceedings. Three lengths down at halfway, the Johnny Linehan trained son of Malachi and Droopys Ant began to close into the third turn before storming home.

Michael Dunphy’s charge flew up the straight to score by an ever-increasing two lengths. Ballyard Shawny again displayed real early dash in second, while Succession was just a length adrift in third. 

OZZY TOO GOOD

Graigues Ozzy also displayed plenty of ability in the second semi-final as he overcame early bumping to win in style for Jim Morrissey and Michael O’Donovan.

Carried wide in the opening yards by the fast-starting Velocity City, Graigues Ozzy managed to turn second before showing superior pace to his rival into the third turn.

Charging up the inside of Velocity City around the final two bends, the son of Droopys Sydney and Graigues Penny eased clear on the run in to see off another big finisher, Droopys Selector, by two lengths in 28.69.

IMPRESSIVE UNDULATION DENIES FORT

The last of the three semi-finals saw Undulation come home fast to deny Coolavanny Fort in the final stride.

Romeo Salvo led the field into the turn after a slick exit but he was clipped on the heels by Undisputed, who in turn checked wide losing her chance.

As this was happening, Coolavanny Fort stuck to the fence to move to the front. Romeo Salvo turned second but Undulation moved with real purpose to the third turn to go second. Once doing so, she set her sights on the leader.

Coolavanny Fort continued to dictate into the straight but Undulation was on a charge. In a desperate finish, Brendan Matthews’ daughter of Pestana and Unlock Unlock got up in the final stride to get the better of Coolavanny Fort by a short head in 28.71. Romeo Salvo was third, some six lengths adrift.