WONDERFUL DISPLAYS APLENTY AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The Friday night at Shelbourne Park was exceptional with many wonderful displays and three quality finals up for decision.

All three were won in fine style, albeit in different fashion, while the remainder of the card also served up some fine performances.

FERGIE TIME

Carrick Fergie was sent to traps the even money favourite to take the Upcoming Boylesports Derby Open Dual Distance and he did everything right from an inside draw.

Flashing from trap one, Thomas Glynn’s 2023 Champion Open Unraced winner led Prince Naseem into the back straight with the pair easing on from the chasing pack.

While Carrick Fergie set a strong gallop, the race looked in the balance to the third turn with Prince Naseem racing to within a half length of the pace-setter. However, Carrick Fergie had the inside line and wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

Indeed, as they turned for home, Carrick Fergie moved off slightly, forcing Prince Naseem to rethink his choice of trying to pass on the outside. It was enough to allow Carrick Fergie to reassert. Prince Naseem was now forced to switch sides by which time it was race over. Carrick Fergie took the verdict by a length and a half in 29.74. All roads now lead to the Derby for the first two home.

RUTH WINS A THRILLER

The tightest finish of the night came in the final of the Go Greyhound racing open Bitch 525 with the Rathdaniel Town Syndicate owned Rathdaniel Ruth getting up on the line to deny Is She There and Clonfert Annie in a thriller.

Badly Behaving came in as a reserve and set the pace for much of the way, although Is She There and Clonfert Annie were never too far away.

It seemed as though the winner would certainly come from the first three as they turned for home but Rathdaniel Ruth was now motoring in behind after making up plenty of ground. Staying wide of her rivals, the Sean Dooley trained daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Town Mouse finally ot her nose in front in the final stride to win by a short head and a head from Is She There and Clonfert Annie in 28.63.

IZZY BETTER THAN GOOD

The first final on the card was that of the RCETS App A1 Dual Distance and Good Izzy made full use of her power and pace to dominate over the 600yd trip.

John Kennedy’s well-bred daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Good Diva was in a league of her own once turning in front.

Singalong Molly turned second but could never land a glove on the pace-setter. Good Izzy piled on the pressure all the way to the line to increase her advantage with each stride. She would eventually win by seven lengths from the fast-finishing Kilcolgancatchme in a quick 32.27. The winner is clearly very strong and, after opening her account at the sixth time of asking, is one to keep onside going forward.

BLUE BACK TO HIS BEST TO SET THE STANDARD

Hawkfield Blue was understandably sent off a red-hot favourite for the opening semi final of the Shelbourne Park Museum Open 525 before unleashing all his might on his rivals.

This was over as a contest from a stride in.

The soon of Good News and Brownstown Tango came away racing for Jerry Connors and handler Ginger McGee and he was soon clear of those in pursuit. He really laid down the law down the back straight to extend his advantage to the third turn before cruising home eight lengths clear of Marginforerror in a fastest of the night 28.07. It seems safe to say Hawkfield Blue is back to his very best and is very likely to take next week’s decider before setting his sights on a bigger goal in the Derby.

A BONKERS RACE

The second semi-final saw Bonkersinyonkers emerge a fortuitous winner for Karol Ramsbottom and the Mclean Avenue Syndicate.

The son of Droopys Sydney and An Cailin Alainn was a distant fourth into the back straight behind the pace-setting Mays Bozada but had a moment of real luck at the third turn.

As Antigua Hawk made his move on the third turn, the complexion of the race changed completely. Lets just say the front two clashed, leaving Basking Shark in front with the advancing Bonkersinyonkers closing in second. Staying close to the fence, Bonkers moved on as they turned for home before holding the rallying Basking Shark by three parts of a length in 28.69.

CHIEF LOSES MAIDEN TAG

The semi-finals of the Bet With The Tote A2 Dual Distance saw Financial Chief and Woe Meohmy score in similar fashion.

The Ian Reilly trained Financial Chief lost his maiden tag in the opening heat, leading early before asserting on the corner. From there Chris Sowers son of Ballymac Best eased on to eventually see off Westside Ranger by three and a half lengths in 28.46.

MEOHMY TOO SHARP

Woe Meohmy was an even easier winner of the second heat, breaking smartly rom three to make every inch for Murt Leahy and owners Martin and Kitty Morrissey.

The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Champagne Star comfortably held the third bend challenge of Innfield Cooper before easing to a four and a half length victory in 28.60.

A PRICEY DOUBLE

Eugene and Rosemary Price had a superb double on the card with litter sisters Penny Cailin and Air Flyer really impressing.

The latter took the opener, finishing with real gusto to extend away from her rivals for a six length victory in 28.47, while her sister also flew home to win the sixth race on the card.

Pennys Cailin (Droopys Sydney/ Ballycowen Lucy) was last of the six runners into the back straight but displayed fine track craft along the fence to improve her position around the last two bends. She was still over three lengths adrift of Urban Flight in third as they turned for home but flew up the straight in the manner of one that could be a star over further to win by a neck in 28.68.