A NIGHT FOR THE YOUNGSTERS TO SHINE IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
There are no fewer than four tremendous finals on offer at Shelbourne Park this evening, three of which feature some of the best and most exciting youngsters in training.
The undoubted feature is the final of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks and each of the six finalists seem capable of going on to become classic contenders in 2027.
IMRIE LEADS A STRONG DOWLING CHALLENGE
As seems to be the way in every major final these days, Liam Dowling has a strong hand with Ballymac Imrie and Ballymac Alexei representing his all-conquering ‘Ballymac’ outfit.
The former is the likely favourite after taking off in recent outings.
Indeed, for all that she was impressive in the opening round when scoring in 28.31, her latest victory in the semis was even better. In charge early, she pulled away from a talented field down the back straight to emerge a facile winner in 28.20. Given her age and rapid improvement, it seems likely she could go even faster tonight.
From an ideal draw on the fence, that would mean the daughter of Ballymac Cooper as the one to beat, although nothing can be taken for granted in a contest of such quality.
ALEXEI HAS A BIT TO FIND
Her kennel companion Ballymax Alexei is also a steady improver but has all of seven lengths to make up on Ballymac Imrie on semi-final form.
It seems a stretch to suggest she can bridge that gap without a sizeable piece of luck.
ARIEL AND CALL HER MUST ROCKET FROM BOXES
Riverside Ariel represents Graham Holland.
A lightly raced daughter of Dorotas Wildcat, she too seems to be getting better with each outing. She made all in her semi-final from trap one but is out in fourth this evening. If she is to follow up her latest victory, a flying start is imperative.
Cal Her is another well bred type. The Paul Hennessy trained bitch is well housed in six as the sole wide seed but she too much do everything right to concern the leading contenders.
LOREAL AND ROBIN BIG DANGERS
Instead, Razldazl Loreal and Glengar Robin are nominated as the main dangers to Ballymac Imrie. Razldazl Loreal was well behind her last week but was stopped in her run early in the back straight. There is no doubt she can go up faster than in her latest outing and faces a kind draw in five. Have no doubt, she is more than capable of going close for Dolores Ruth and Richard Brown.
Glengar Robin is amongst the very fastest bitches on the planet, although she often leaves herself with work to do at the second turn. Not the fastest into the bend, she needs to find the gaps at the right time but will finish faster than any. She certainly comes into the ‘the hotter the company, the better she runs’ category.
Much will depend on how close she turns, but it would be unwise to take your eye off the Pat Buckley trained daughter of Shima Shine.
A TREMENDOUS RENEWAL
It really has been a tremendous renewal of the Puppy Oaks and tonight’s contest should offer a fitting conclusion.
Ballymac Imrie has much in her favour and that swings the vote her direction but it would be most unwise to dismiss the chances of Razldazl Loreal and Glengar Robin. I think it’s safe to expect a cracking contest.
QUALITY ON SHOW IN JUVENILE CUP
There’s a mighty impressive €5,000 on offer to the winner of the Shelbourne Park Juvenile Cup and it could take some winning.
Cash Buyer set a strong standard in the semis and is entitled to make another bold bid from an ideal draw on the fence. He is joined by his kennel companion and litter brother Ball Of Cash in two. He too is fast enough to make his mark but will need to get first run on his comrade.
On their outside in three is Rios Miracle, a possible pace-setter in the contest. However, she isn’t the strongest and will need to get clear of the field if she is to hang on.
Bronx Express lines out in four and shouldn’t be ignored. He ran on well in his semi-final defeat and could get involved if showing a bit more urgency into the opening turn.
Oolala Chachacha is a bit of a mouthful but is another than can race prominently. She is drawn in six and needs to come away racing but that is possible.
That leaves Johnson to complete the line-up in five. It’s no exaggeration to suggest that he displayed Category 1 pace last week. Despite being stopped in his run three times, he came through to win in 28.63. That could have been a half second faster with a clear passage. He is a serious contender but a trap five draw is a concern.
Ultimately, Cash Buyer has the best of the draw and was, by some margin, faster than his rivals in the semis. A repeat of his latest run would probably suffice but don’t ignore the chances of Johnson and Ball Of Cash.
JOHNJIM TO LAND OPEN UNRACED DECIDER
Johnjimthesecon will be hard to beat in the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Starts Soon ON1 525 should he repeat his semi-final effort.
A tremendous winner in 28.10, he looked very professional and likely to repeat that type of run over and over again.
His task isn’t exactly easy as many of his rivals did show fine pace last week and in qualifying, but there’s no doubt the Graham Holland trained son of Dromana Bucko is a worthy favourite. Ultens Well won the other semi-final and looks a likely improver for Michael Butler, but the main danger to the favourite may come in the form of Droopys Suprquik.
After clocking a stunning 27.98 and 28.01 in trials ahead of his debut, there was great expectations from the son of Dorotas Wildcat. He missed the kick and found traffic but did show huge pace into the third turn only to be stopped in his run. With a clear passage this evening, he is likely to go far quicker than last week and is nominated as a threat to Johnjimthesecond.
CAPTAIN FACING TOUGH DRAW
The final of the Shelbourne Park Museum Open 525 is a little later on the card and this could go to any of the six.
Gallant Captain was fastest in the semis but has been handed a very tricky draw in five and needs to be at his very sharpest. Others respected include Connemara Lady, Monalee Haruto and Timmytuffnuckles.
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