STAN FLIES AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

Shelbourne Park was certainly running well on Friday night, so much so that the stewards made the choice to rate the going .20 fast but, have no doubt, there were some very promising youngsters on show, hence some fast times.

One that doesn’t fall into the ‘youngster’ category was Southwood Stan, who went fastest on the night, dominating in his semi-final of the Go Greyhound Racing A2 525 to record a rapid 28.21 for Jonathan O’Grady and Adam Dunford.

It’s not all that long since he was taking on the likes of Bockos Diamond in the Derby so it wasn’t a real surprise to see him going as fast as he did. The son of Droopys Sydney and Southwood Queen flew out to win by four lengths from Droopys Orator.

PROMISING CHAP WINS IN SIMILAR FASHION

Sawdust Chap won the opening heat in similar style.

A very promising August ’23 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Alyssa, he broke fastest and always seemed to have the measure of those in behind. The Murt Leahy trained tracker held off Drive On Bono to win by two lengths in 28.38 (.20 fast).

ELLIE LOOKS A PROSPECT

Annadown Ellie produced a massive run to win the final of the Upcoming Puppy Oaks ON2 for Geraldine Dillon.

Glefinnan set a strong galop but Annadown Ellie was always in her slipstream before asserting around the last two bends, Pulling clear in the manner of one with a bright future, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Headford Honey went on to see off Pom Pom by five lengths in 28.47.

TALKIN KEEPS FINDING

Now Yer Talkin won the other ON2 final up for decision, showing real grit to repel the persistent challenge of the favourite Mad For Cash.

Trained by Joe Ivory for Tara Bates, Now Yer Talkin got on the bunny early and kept on finding to constantly deny her rival.

The daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva held off Mad For Cash in a thrilling finish, crossing the line a half-length to the good in 28.84.

BAMBI LOOKS EXCITING

Braveheart Bambi caught the eye on debut last week, finishing a good second behind Ballymac Mint, but went one better in the third race on the card, showing all sorts of pace and power to come from off the pace to win in 28.49.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Darren McCoy, the daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Ambey Bamby was off the pace in the early yards and had to overcome a little bit of back straight traffic to put herself into the mix around the last two bends. Finishing with real gusto, the exciting youngster went on to beat Magical Alex by a length and a half in 28.49. There is far better to come from the winner.

Da Bold Rose was another to impress, making all to win the opener in 28.53. The Ginger McGee trained daughter of Droopys Sydney held off the advances of Gem Friendly to win by two lengths in 28.53.

APOLLO’S FINE DEBUT

Droopys Apollo was a significant winner of the second race for Johnny Linehan and the Cross Border Six Syndicate, emerging as the first of Droopys Flytline’s career as a sire.

Showing fine early speed, he forced his way to the front on the turn and proceeded to make all thereafter for a four length success over the fast-finishing Aayamza Legend in 28.73.