MAGIC DISPLAYS THROUGHOUT SATURDAY’S SHELBOURNE CARD
Ian Fortune
There was a massive night of action at Shelbourne Park on Saturday and in front of packed stands, some of Ireland’s very best performed at the highest level.
The Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks is now down to the final six with both semi-finals won in mighty impressive fashion by Silent Noelle and Singalong Cherry, while Grouchos Gregor set the standard in the opening round of the Shelbourne Open 600, going one spot faster than Ballymac Chantry.
From the very start of the evening, the action was of the highest quality. The track was also running very well with the stewards deeming the surface to be running .20 fast for every four-bend race and .10 fast for the sprint.
NOTHING SILENT ABOUT NOELLE’S DISPLAY
The semis of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks were the second and third races on the card and delivered superb displays.
Silent Noelle was perfectly housed on the fence in the opening heat and was sent to traps an even money favourite.
It was immediately evident she was going to take some stopping as she hit the ground running from the inside box to dominate. Owned by the Nolan Mullins Ahern Syndicate, the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Terezas Mendoza broke smartly and soon headed fast-starting Kishlawn Kudos to dictate into the bend.
Lennies Ash forced her way into second on the turn and gave chase throughout but Silent Noelle was relentless. A week after opening her account, the Juvenile Classic runner-up proceeded to double her career tally with a two-length success over Lennies Ash in a rapid 28.15 (.20 fast). Droopys Croia again missed the start but worked her way into a qualifying position, four and a half lengths further back in third.
ANOTHER CHERRY RIPE DISPLAY FROM SINGALONG
Minutes later,the Pat Buckley trained Singalong Cherry posted an identical time to Silent Noelle when continuing her rapid rise to stardom.
Much like her dam, Singalong Sally, Singalong Cherry has a bit of everything, early speed, back straight pace and stamina.
After a fast start, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout led to the turn but Ballymac Lix made the most of her inside line to join and head Singalong Cherry as they hit the back straight.
The pair had a great buckle into the third turn but Singalong Cherry was always going to be too strong. Forcing her way to the front on the third turn, she quickly put the result to bed. Staying on well, Gilbert Anderson’s exciting prospect emerged a four length winner over Ballymac Lix in 28.15 (.20 fast). Glengar Blitz was third for much of the journey, eventually finishing two lengths behind the runner-up.
GREGOR IMPRESSES IN 600
Grouchos Gregor, Ballymac Chantry and Callaway Knegare each impressed in the opening round of the Shelbourne Open 600 with the first named just going fastest.
An impressive winner over the trip a week earlier, he really meant business on this occasion, shooting from three and dominating from start to finish.
Trained by Pat Buckley, who recorded a double, the talented son of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wisdom really does appreciate the longer run to the turn and he soon got the better of the fast-starting Mydras Opinion.
Once turning in front, he was always in control. Droichead Nua turned second but was never going to worry the leader. Instead, recent Easter Cup champion Lemon Orla emerged from the chasers to emerge as the main danger. Grouchos Gregor was dogged and determined, however, and he stayed on to emerge a deserving length and a half winner in 32.05 (.20 fast) with Mydras Opinion staying on to take third some five lengths further adrift.
CHANTRY ON THE CHARGE
Ballymac Chantry, a litter sister to Grouchos Gregor, was just a single spot slower in the opening heat when she too made every yard.
Not known for her early speed, it was clear from the early stages that she was going to come home in front.
Flashing from trap five, she got the better of Blue Belle and Coosane Pickles to turn in front. Defending champ Ballyhooly Bruno attempted to get involved after a moderate start but found traffic down the back straight,
Meanwhile Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Chantry (Ballymac Cooper/ Ballymac Wisdom) was galloping with real freedom up front. Despite the best efforts of Coosane Pickles, Ballymac Chantry ran out a ready five and a half length winner in 32.06 (.20 fast). Blue Belle was best of the remainder, two and a half lengths further back.
KNEGARE’S POWER MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Callaway Knegare was an odds-on favourite in the second heat but his supporters would have been fearing the worst when he walked from traps to sit last on the bend.
The reserve Liberty Sport slipped the field to enter the back straight with three lengths in hand and looked a likely winner for a long way.
Gallant Captain turned second and did all he could to close but, more importantly, Callaway Knegare stuck to his inside line to improve his position to halfway. Fifth on the second bend, he was disputing third by halfway and closing.
Liberty Sport continued to dictate the pace into the third turn but the complexion of the race would change as they turned for home. By this point the leader’s energy reserves were dropping and as his stride shortened Gallant Captain drew closer.
So too did Callaway Knegare. Indeed, the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet, who is owned by the Field Sports Syndicate, absolutely flew from the final bend to the line. Coming between his rivals, Callawy Knegare forced his way to the front before powering clear.
The Owen McKenna trained star hit the line two and a half lengths clear of Gallant Captain in 32.35 (.20 fast) with Lemon Hidalgo grabbing third on the line, some two lengths further back.
KAMALA SIMPLY STUNNING IN FINALE
Ballymac Kamala was the undoubted star of the undercard, completing a double for Liam Dowling in the finale.
This was a real return to form for the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete as she posted a stunning 27.87 (.20 fast) to leave some talented rivals chasing shadows.
She may have been headed by a couple at boxes but flew up the fence to go to the front. Once doing so, it was little more than a procession. Stretching into a commanding advantage by halfway, she posted a very quick 15.81 to the third turn. It’s worth noting she has gone faster in the past with a 15.79 and 15.74 on her card but this time she stayed on better, suggesting she may have strengthened up over the winter.
That is a major concern for her future rivals. She eventually went on to beat Miami Hans by nine lengths. It seems safe to suggest that Ballymac Kamala has the ability to be a major contender for Irish Oaks honours.
BARRY REALLY ON THE RISE
Sober Barry is rapidly turning into a top-class performer and his win in the A0 fourth race was further evidence of the fact.
This was a really decisive display from the son of Skywalker Barry and Sober Pearl.
Showing fine early speed to recover from an early bump, he asserted into the turn before shooting clear of his rivals. By halfway, Sean Malone’s January ’24 whelp was eight lengths clear and motoring. Droopys Winsome did run on well to close the gap in the run in but Sober Barry was in a league of his own.
Karol Ramsbottom can now start planning an ambitious campaign with Sober Barry as he emerged a brilliant five length winner in a stunning 28.12 (.20 fast). Have no doubt, he has the potential to be a classic contender going forward.
SCAMPI QUITE A CATCH
An impressive winner a week earlier when leading on the line, Droopys Scampi was even better in the fourth race over the sprint trip, this time showing great alacrity at traps to make every inch for Johnny Linehan and Sean Dunphy.
The daughter of Droopys Flytline and Droopys Winifred had a narrow lead from the start but increased her advantage into the bend. Once turning in front, she eased on to win by three and a half lengths from Stefans Galaxy in a sizzling 18.35 (.10 fast). On recent evidence, Droopys Scampi is set for a big year.
SPY ARRIVES LATE AND FAST
Racing opened with Coolemount Spy coming through in the closing stages to win by a short head for the ABM Legends and Gerry Merriman.
Darbys Chance led for the vast majority of the journey but Coolemount Spy came with a wet sail. Still lengths off the pace on the final turn, the son of Orchestrate and Highview Moment came late and fast between Darbys Chance and Outfielder to win by a short head and half length in 28.80.