CHRISTMAS PARTY GOERS TREATED TO SUPERB SHELBOURNE ACTION

Ian Fortune

A huge crowd journeyed to Shelbourne Park on Saturday night for the first weekend of real Christmas party action and all seemed to have a great time, aided by some superb action on the track.

There was no major sweepstake action on offer but there was high class racing throughout.

Some familiar names were on the scoresheet including that of Hackney Corner as he sent out a reminder of how talented he is. Others to impress included Hackney Mati, Harlequin Gee Up, Gem Friendly, while Droichead Nua brought the curtain down on proceedings with a big run in the finale.

CORNER HACKS IN

Hackney Corner absolutely relished the long run to the turn in the open 575 opener.

The Pat Buckley trained son of Here Comes Syd and Westpoint Jorgi ran a big race behind Cheap Sandwiches in the WRF 550 last weekend and carried that form into his latest assignment.

Showing fine early dash, the Hackney Boys Syndicate owned star was clear before the turn and only extended his lead when Westway Rossa and Lookandlep clashed. Hackney Corner continued to run with freedom out front to eventually come home nine lengths clear of Town Lucky in a rapid 30.78. It’s clear he is going to be force in 2026.

NUA HANDLES STEP UP IN TRIP

Droichead Nua took a giant step up in company with ease in the finale.

A winner of an A2 Stake at the WRF, the Shaun Conway trained son of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini made light work of his latest task in AA0 company, showing a wonderful attitude and fine pace to come home clear.

Both Surprise Reunion and Lamrock Ace went up strongly but neither could clear Droichead Nua, who forced his way to the front on the corner. It was a decisive maneouvre from the Newbridge Racing Syndicate owned star as he powered clear into the third turn. Showing zero mercy on the run in, Droichead Nua hit the line five lengths to the good in a fastest of the night 28.35. Lamrock Ace was second.

BONO ON TUNE

The semi-finals of the New Barking Buzz App A0/A1 Dual Distance provided two impressive winners in the form of De Bono Lad and Brickhill Moana.

The former was in control from the early exchanges, bursting through a wall of rivals to lead on the run up.

Once doing so, the Anton Butler trained son of Broadstrand Bono and Town Penny was always in charge. Brendan Sinnott’s powerful galloper raced clear of his rivals to eventually hit the line four and a half lengths clear of the staying on Blue Belle in 31.15. Cosmonaut was just a short head away in third.

MOANA MAKES WAVES

Brickhill Moana won the second heat in very similar fashion, showing fine early speed to better the fast-starting Bockos Sapphire into the bend.

Owned by John Collins and Albert Long, Brickhill Moana never looked under any real pressure thereafter.

The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Twentylittletoes maintained a strong gallop to the line to see off the running on Snowy April by two lengths in 31.24. Galant Prince also qualified in third, a further head back.

MAGIC MATI SHOWS HIS CLASS

Everything we have seen from Hackney Mati in recent weeks suggest he is going to be a tremendous performer in 2026.

Much didn’t go his way in the open 550 penultimate race but like most good ones he found a way to get on top for Michael O’Donovan and the Hackney Boys Syndicate.

Cheque For Cash led into the bend with Hackney Mati on his inside but he was forced to take a stride as the door was closed. Hackey Mati took another bump entering the back straight and was briefly relegated to fourth but he quickly got going again.

Showing real pace and desire, Hackney Mati flew into the third turn to go second behind Cheque For Cash once again. It was now a race to the line. Staying a tight line, Hackney Mati drew closer before getting up on the run in. The son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete got up to win by a half length from Cheque For Cash in 29.74.

FRIENDLY A GEM

Fair Warrior champion Gem Friendly was one of the most straightforward winners on the card when taking the sole Open sprint with a most professional display of front running.

Flashing from traps, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire was lengths clear after five strides.

Harry Houdini did run on strongly to close on the leader but Gem Friendly was certainly not for catching. Trained by Vincent McKenna for Conor McGrath, Gem Friendly would hold off her rival by a length and a half in a quick 18.67.

NO NEED TO GEE UP HARLEQUIN

Harlequin Gee Up, owned by the Harlequin Syndicate, was at his very sharpest in the A1 second race, showing fine speed from trap rise to dominate.

Singalong Curly gave chase throughout but could never get back on terms.

Instead, the Scott Phelan trained Harlequin Gee Up kept finding to repel his rival before going on to secure a most impressive length and a half success over Singalong Curly in 28.41.

MADE MEASURES UP

Made To Measure justified favouritism to win the mini open eighth race on the card but was all out to contain the flying finish of Highview Plan.

An inside draw made a big difference for Made To Measure with the son of Droopys Sydney and Singalong Sally bursting through on the fence to go to the front.

Many would have expected him to emerge an easy winner fir Pat Norris and Mark Lowther once doing so but Highview Plan was much closer than normal, moving third before halfway. As expected, Highview Plan flew home but he chose to change sides on the run in which probably cost him. Made To Measure held on to win by a half length in 28.53.

SPECIAL RUN FROM BOMBAY

Bombay Special is improving at a rate of knots and she displayed fine early dash and determination to take the fifth race for Graham Holland and Jack Ryan.

The daughter of Dromana Bucko and Tory Aria flashed from trap five and charged into the turn to clear those on her inner.

Miami Hans gave chase throughout but could never bridge the gap, leaving Bombay Special to make all for a two-length verdict in 28.52.

PIXI TAKES HER CHANCE

Ballinabola Pixi capitalized from something of a traffic jam at the third turn in the third race.

A number of those racing prominently ran into each other at this point, leaving Ballinabola Pixi to take up the running for Breda Boyle and Patrick Sheehy.

Once striking the front, she still had to contend with Johnnie On Faya but did so with little fuss, holding on to win by a length in 29.09.