ALICE SETS THE STANDARD AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

It was a rare low-key night at Shelbourne Park on Saturday with the start of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks just a week away.

And as you would expect a couple of potential Oaks challengers were on show including Clonmore Alice who happened to post the fastest time of the night for 525yds.  

ALICE TOO SHARP

Clonmore Alice was simply too sharp for her rivals.

Trained by last weekend’s Shelbourne Open 600 winning handler Tom O’Neill, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice quickly took command and soon built a decisive lead. Owned by Breda and Cian Moloney, the September ’21 whelp eased on to beat Battling Yank by six and a half lengths in a rapid 28.37.

JIM ON THE UPGRADE

The Swithins Syndicate owned Swithins Jim continued his rise up the ranks in the semi-finals of the Go Greyhound Racing A1 550, taking the opening heat in superb fashion.

Lolos Scottie came in as a reserve to lead early but Swithins Jim was just behind him into the back straight before making a decisive move.

Showing superior pace into the third turn, the Peter Cronin trained Swithins Jim headed his rival before staying on to secure a length and a half victory over Lolos Scottie in a quick 29.66.   

JACK MAKES ALL

Dellser Jack emerged a good winner of the second heat, showing more dash than his rivals into the turn to secure a comfortable advantage.

George Roche’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Hopalong Clara proceeded to make every yard thereafter to beat the fast-finishing Town Lucky by two lengths in 29.93.

DARBYS DANCES IN

There was a fine run over the extended 750yd trip from the talented Darbys Dancer.

La Pepinillo led for much of the journey with Listen Ellie in chase but Darbys Dancer was never too far away in third. As the front three began to tighten up into the fifth turn, Darby Dancer made her move on the outside of the track.

With her rivals starting to tire in the warm conditions, Darbys Dancer didn’t need a second invitation. Moving straight past her rivals, the daughter of Malachi and Love Island drove clear to eventually see off the staying on Peters Sydney by four and a half lengths in 41.72. On this evidence, Pat Devaney and the Devaney Family Syndicate are going to have some serious fun with Darbys Dancer in the coming months.

BLUETIMER DOMINATES IN RED

Bluetimer had a perfect draw in the A0 fourth race and duly won as a favourite should for Mary and Jerry Melia.

Ever the professional, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Midas Fern shot up the fence to make virtually every inch for a facile and very straightforward five length victory over Friend Of Hanks in a very good 28.43.

COMET TAKES FLIGHT IN FINALE

Racing ended with one of the tightest finishes of the evening as Clona Comet held off the advancing Hot Wood.

Clona Comet burst his way up the fence to lead from the opening bend but he was always under pressure with Hot Wood managing to slip around in second.

This set up a fascinating contest with Hot Wood closing into the third turn. Clona Comet drifted off the final turn, allowing room up his inner but Hot Wood couldn’t quite get back on terms. Trained by Graham Kelly for Thomas McKevitt, Clona Comet held off his rival by a neck in a fast 28.44.    

AN EARLY DOUBLE FOR GERRY HEADED BY MIST

Gerry Holian made a tremendous start to proceedings, sending out the first two winners including Omey Mist, who emerged an impressive winner of the A2 second race.

Owned by the well named Don’t Be Late Syndicate, the daughter of Good News and Twentylittletoes returned to her very best 2024 form, shooting front in the early yards to dominate. Omey Mist would eventually see off Max Pro by two and a half lengths in a rapid 28.49.

DIVA MAKES ALL IN OPENER

Gerry Holian had earlier initiated his double with Kilwest Diva making the most of a decent start to win the opener.

Owned by the Keating Syndicate, the daughter of Ballymac Anton and Burgess Millie dug in to hold off Airmount Sky by three parts of a length in 28.87. 

NO SURPRISE TO SEE REUNION GO CLEAR

Surprise Reunion was back to winning ways for Marie Gilbert and the Three Legs of Man Syndicate in the A1 seventh race.

Much like many of the winners on the card, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Das Eadaoin was always in complete control after a slick exit. Surprise Reunion would power clear to eventually cross the line four lengths clear of Aoife Artist in 28.58.

Pic below left: Jorg Padtberg presents the trophy to Pat Flanagan after Surprise Reunion won the VR Bank Freudenberg A1 525, also included are Bank Frudenberg representatives.            Pic below right: Edel Cronin presents the trophy to Jerry Melia after Bluetimer won Welcome To Our Dublin Roses AO 525, also included are Mary Melia and The Dublin Rose Of Tralee Representatives.            Pics: Imelda Grauer