QUALITY FRIDAY FARE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Tonight’s card at Shelbourne Park features some quality racing with the final of the Pick 5 Jackpot A1 525 the feature, although there will also be plenty of interest in the opening round of the valuable 1927 Lounge Mini Open 525.

The latter competition features a few youngsters that have been rerouted from the cancelled National Puppy Stake and the resulting action should be noteworthy. One such runner is Droopys Suprquik. After qualifying in 27.98 and 28.01, he has shown big pace, albeit with little luck, in his two previous outings. He has the ideal opportunity to open his account in Heat 3 of tonight’s 1927 Lounge Mini Open 525.

 

In a race packed with early speed, the powerful son of Dorotas Wildcat can sit off the pace before making a decisive move after halfway.

Johnjimthesecond posted a rapid 28.10 on debut a fortnight ago before finding traffic in his latest start. It goes without saying he will be hard to beat in Heat 2 if repeating his debut form.

The opening heat is a wide-open contest. Slight preference is for Ballyhoe Merl from an ideal draw on the fence but any of the six could emerge on top.

SUSIE TO FOLLOW UP

The final of the Pick 5 Jackpot is a fascinating affair.

Paul Hennessy won both semi-finals with Ceekay Susie and Shinwell and the former is chosen to follow up. A wonderfully well-bred daughter of Droopy Sydney and Susie Sapphire, she may need to avoid Tromora Bruno in the early yards but has the pace and strength to come through to score.

The aforementioned Tromora Bruno is a big danger. He lost valuable ground on the turn last week when checking wide but has a big engine and is likely to go fast very soon. Callaway Katie is a fast starter but a trap five draw is a concern, while Shinwell will need to come through the bars from four.