EDWARD DAZLS IN GOLD COLLAR
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park was the only show in town on Saturday night as they battled the elements through the day to ensure that racing went ahead despite the cold snap.
n truth, it was hard to tell there had ever been a doubt as the track was simply perfect for the opening meeting of the year at the famous Ringsend venue.
And the star on the track was Razldazl Edward as he opened 2025 with a brilliant display to capture the Gold Collar in the manner of a greyhound with a big future.
EDWARD IN A ROMP
Sent to traps the 5-2 second choice in the market after a notable drift, it was soon clear that the public had made the wrong choice in Snowy April.
The latter was the even money favourite but missed the start and found himself playing catch up from the outset.
In contrast, Razldazl Edward and Old Chicago both came away racing with the former going to the front before the corner. Once turning in front, Dolores Ruth’s talented young son of Ballymac Best and Boylesportstwink set sail for home.
Old Chicago did all he could to stay in touch but he was pressed from behind into the third turn. Razldazl Edward was well clear and on his way to a facile success when Snowy April powered his way into second between the last two bends. Predictably, Snowy April ran on strongly but Razldazl Edward was a tremendous winner, hitting the line seven and a half lengths to the good in 29.78 (rated .20 slow). Snowy April was a good second and will appreciate a return to the 575/600yd trip, while Invergarry was another four lengths adrift in third.
Dylan Brennan Shelbourne Park Racing Manager presents the trophy to Frank Shaw after Razldazl Edward won The 2024 Gold Collar A1 550 final, also included is trainer Dolores Ruth. Pic: Imelda Grauer
RILEIGH OPENS 2025 IN STYLE
The opening race of the year, an A0 575, saw Fleadh Rileigh power her way to the front in the early stages before shooting clear to emerge a facile scorer in a quick 31.31.
Clearing an opening bend scrimmage, James Kerr’s daughter of Ballymac Best and Fleadh Ramona had eight lengths in hand on the chasing Fahy Hazel at halfway and proceeded to coast home eight and a half lengths to the good.
WILD IS ONE FOR THE NOTEBOOK
Southwind Wild is a name to put in bold writing into your notebook.
In what was just his second start after an impressive winning debut at Dundalk, David Manning’s son of Dorotas Wildcat and Mucky Harbour turned the second race, an open sprint, into little more than a procession.
The Michael Corr trained youngster, who won’t turn two until April, was razor-sharp at traps and quickly put his rivals to the sword. Clear into the turn, there was no let up on the run in as he saw off Badminton Bach by six lengths in a fast 18.63. The winner has the potential to be a star.
TRICKS SETS A STRONG STANDARD
Old Tricks set the standard in the Best Wishes for 2025 A1 525, coming home a mile clear in the first of the three semi-finals.
This was little more than a solo trial for Reggie Roberts’ son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess.
A length clear after little more than five strides, he would pull further and further clear to halfway to eventually see off Grace And Laura by seven and a half lengths in 28.61.
REUNION WINS WELL
Fifteen minutes later, Surprise Reunion went fractionally slower in the second heat, racing to the fore from the outset before getting the better of Beebees Princess as they hit the back straight.
Edging on, he always seemed to have his rivals at arm’s length.
Trained by Marie Gilbert for the Three Legs Of Man Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Das Eadaoin kept on finding out front to eventually cross the line three lengths clear of Beebees Princess in 28.65.
ELLEN SLIPS THE FIELD
The final heat went the way of Blackheath Ellen.
Monodie Mike moved off from an inside line, holding up many of those in the middle of the track and Blackheath Ellen took advantage from trap five. Hitting the front on the turn, avoiding Monodie Mike in the process, she entered the back straight in front and increased her advantage to halfway.
Monodie Mike got going again into the third turn and stayed on but Blackheath Ellen was never going to be picked up. Trained by Shaun Conway for Pat Grimes, the daughter of Explosive Boy and Almaz claimed a third career victory by two and a half lengths in 29.28 (rated .20 slow).
ROSSA RUNS RIOT
Westway Rossa produced a big run to post the fastest time of the night for the standard trip when coming home clear in the penultimate race on the card. The key to success for Henry Scimia’s daughter of Good News and Ballydoyle Rossa was holding her rails pitch into the bend.
Containing Cushie The Best, she moved on as they entered the back straight. Cushie The Best did stay within touch but the pace-setter was too strong. The Damian Maginn trained Westway Rossa powered on from the final turn to see off Cushie The Best by four lengths in 28.58 (rated .20 slow).
A MODEL DISPLAY
It was wonderful to see Fashion Model back at her best in the finale over 550yds as she emerged a six-length winner in 30.14 (rated .20 slow).
Sadies Lucy set a strong pace but the writing was on the wall when Fashion Model turned second.
In what was just her second start since returning after a long layoff, she moved through the gears into the third turn to assume control on the outside of the early leader. From there Paul Horig and Stephen Bourke’s powerful daughter of Good News and Coolavanny Chick powered clear to emerge a comfortable winner over Sadies Lucy.
JENNY IN A THRILLER
There was a superb finish to the eighth race with long-time pace-setter Velvet Jenny rallying to pick up Arent We All on the line.
Velvet Jenny made the most of a rails pitch to turn in front of Ballymac Deboss and Arent We All and looked set to dominate thereafter given her strength.
Arent We All had other ideas, however. Charging into the third turn, she would drive her way to the front before swinging wide into the home straight, leaving a gap up the inside. Velvet Jenny was more than happy to move into that gap before charging up the straight to head her rival in the final strides.
Trained by Michael Corr for the Rustys Lads Syndicate, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Velvet Nannykate would get up to win by a head in 28.84 (rated .20 slow).
MARTY GETS LOOSE
The ninth race was messy affair with opening bend traffic allowing the Jerry Melia trained Belfast Marty (Droopys Sydney/ Julies Paradise) to race into a sizeable advantage to halfway.
Town Lucky stayed on strongly to close right up on the pace-setter but Sean Harrison’s Belfast Marty held on to win by a neck in 28.84.
TYSON DELIVERS A BLOW AT THIRD TURN
Ian and Billy Reilly were on the mark in the third race with Phoenix Tyson making his move into the third turn to take over the lead from Bristow, while also forcing the challenging Lotto Other news to check.
It was a decisive manoeuvre by the son of Grangeview Ten and Fahy Ripley as he would go on to see off the staying on Killeshil Ranger by two lengths in 29.19.