KEITH SETS STANDARD IN CHASE FOR GOLD
Ian Fortune
Track conditions were tough at Shelbourne Park on Friday night after an afternoon of driving rain, while high wind speeds didn’t help either.
Still, there were some fine displays including that of the very promising Uncle Keith as he set a strong standard in the opening round of the 2025 Gold Collar.
KEITH ARRIVES LATE AND FAST
Uncle Keith wasn’t an obvious winner after a slow start and an opening bend bump but he really did move through the gears when getting some daylight.
Razldazl Kamaria set a strong pace out front after a fast start and was lengths clear into the back straight.
In contrast, Uncle Keith was a distant third for Mark Robinson and Jamie Burke-Ryan before starting to find his feet. Passing halfway, Uncle Keith began to charge forward. He moved second on the third turn and carried all the momentum.
Razldazl Kamaria was showing signs of fatigue at the head of affairs and this left Uncle Keith to storm through. The son of Dorotas Wildcat and Pennys Jetstream hit the front on the run in to win by two lengths in 31.16 on a track rated .80 slow. Baby Don’t Dally also stayed on well to grab second, beating Razldazl Kamaria by a head.
CASH FOR GIRL
Cashout Girl (Ballymac Cashout/ Ballymac Trudi) returned to winning ways in Heat 2, staying on well to contain the late challenge of Daleroad Mya.
Frenchfort Madam set the pace from one but was always under pressure with Kilcolgan John and Cashout Girl pressing in second and third.
Cashout Girl made her move on the outside of the front two at the third turn. Going to the front for Eddie Farrell at this point, she quickly opened a decisive lead. Daleroad Mya did finish well but Cashout Girl is strong and she held on by a neck in 31.29 (rated .80 slow). Frenchfort Madam was another length adrift.
JACKTAVERN BREWING UP A STORM
The drop to A1 company certainly worded the trick for the Shaun Conway trained Jacktavern Storm in the opening heat.
A classy son of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini, he had better early zip than his rivals and set a strong pace from the start.
His task was made somewhat easier at the third turn as the chasing pack clashed, leaving Jacktavern Storm to shoot clear for a seven-length verdict over Julies Gem in 31.30 (rated .80 slow). Dalakhani was third, some three lengths further adrift.
A KILCOLGAN ONE-TWO IN DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER
The feature race on the card was the final of the www.irgt.ie A2/A3 Dual Distance over 600yds and it was a pleasant viewing experience for Neilus O’Connell and Karen Goegeghan as they provided the first two home with litter brothers Kilcolgan Norman emerging an easy winner over Kilcolgan Eddie.
This contest was over from the corner. Kilcolgan Norman wasn’t the fastest into stride in the stripes but was afforded room as Noirs Ben edged towards the inside fence. Making full use of his extra space, Kilcolgan Norman charged into the bend to go to the front.
He avoided an opening bend scrimmage to build a huge lead and coasted home the easiest of winners, seeing off his brother by twelve lengths in 33.87 (rated .80 slow).
PAUL THE PICK IN BITCH STAKE
Earlier on the card, Pauls Pick emerged a good winner in the opening round of the Adopt A Greyhound A2/A3 Bitch Stake.
John Hand and Paul Brady’s daughter of Deerjet Sydney leapt on her opportunity at the third turn to round those in front before storming home for a four and a half-length success over Unassuming in 29.69 (rated .80 slow).
KAZANKINA SHOWS HER POWER
Kazankina won in similar style, showing real pace and strength from halfway to go to the front for Pat Guilfoyle and the Silver Pirate Syndicate.
The daughter of Orchestrate and Oaks winner Raha Mofo shot clear to beat Aussie Asset by four and a half lengths in 29.88 (rated .80 slow)
SWEET SUCCESS FROM MELON
The Murt Leahy trained Droopys Melon took her opportunity in the first of the three heats, emerging a four-length winner in 30.02 (rated .80 slow).
In reality, she faced the worst of the conditions early on the card but was never under any pressure as she saw off Lilly Bucks.