ZAFIRO IMPRESSES AGAIN IN RCETS UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Syd Zafiro once again took the headlines at Shelbourne Park on Friday night when further enhancing his growing reputation with a stunning 28.37 return in the semi-finals of the valuable RCETS Open Unraced.

On a night when there wasn’t room to swing a cat, Syd Zafiro put daylight between himself and his rivals with each stride. Southfield Duke gave chase from the opening bend but was no match for the pace-setting son of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire.

Representing Owen McKenna and Peter Comerford, who were so lucky to guide Susie Sapphire through her racing career, Syd Zafiro ran out a facile eight length winner over Southfield Duke.

TURTLE WINS

The other heat was far less straightforward.

Ultimately, every dog in the contest had a chance at some point with the entire field within a matter of two lengths of each other off the final turn but Torpedo Turtle just kept on repelling his various challengers. 

Trained by Jack Kennelly for the Big Boohaw Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Vic and Ballymac Minton went on to see off Highview Emer by three parts of a length in 29.27.

DAISY BLOOMS IN TALKING DOGS FINAL

Later on the card Norristown Daisy landed his owners Seamus Begley and Richie Doyle €1750 by coming home clear in the final of the Talking Dogs A5.

The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Barntick Smokey was thoroughly professional, flying from the inside box to dominate.

Despite tiring on the run in, Norristown Daisy was always in control after opening a clear advantage. Valinor did finish fast to get within a length of the long-time leader but Norristown daisy held on for a deserving success by half a length in 28.93.

A SWEET VICTORY FOR HONEY

The semi-finals of the This Runs Deep A1 550 brought an end to proceedings and Honey Sky set a strong standard with a comfortable victory in the second of the three heats.

Representing Michael Donnelly and Bill Evans, the talented son of Droopys Sydney and Traceys Pet led from the second turn to run out a two and a half length scorer over Barefoot On Fire in 29.80.

HERO BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Savana Hero returned from a layoff to win the opening heat for Brendan Matthews and Kevin Boothby.

Da Bold Falcon was the hot favourite but missed the start and found plenty of traffic to end his hopes. Instead, Savana Hero went up well, taking charge on the corner to emerge an easy five length winner in 30.12. Knockdrinna Ruth was second with Da Bold Falcon another two lengths away in third.

CHIEF MAKES MOST OF DRAW

Kilcolgan Chief made the most of an inside draw to win the final heat.

Prominent from the outset for Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghegan, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Razldazl Valerie emerged a length to the good over Glitsy Magic in 30.09.