MAGIC MUZZY TAKES HEADLINES AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Highjay Muzzy captured her second big title in just a fortnight at a packed Shelbourne Park on Saturday when showing incredible strength to dominate in the final of the Shelbourne Marathon.
The best bitches in training were also in action in the Christmas Oaks with Lets Go Bubbles setting a strong gallop, while the remainder of the action was also hugely entertaining.
MUZZY RELENTLESS IN MARATHON DECIDER
Only fourteen days earlier, Highjay Muzzy raced to a brilliant success in the Winter Racing Festival Open 850, lowering the colours of the hot favourite Ballymac Katie in the process.
The daughter of Good News and Knockmitten Mag confirmed that form on Saturday despite a remarkable run from the runner-up.
While massive stamina is required to win over the two-lap trip, this was a contest that was won on the opening lap. Highjay Muzzy was perfectly drawn on the fence and she made the most of her opportunity, taking charge into the opening bend before building a clear advantage.
In contrast, Ballymac Katie, who was sent off the 4-7 favourite, missed the kick and got badly left behind. In fact, as early as the second bend, she was upwards of six lengths adrift of the pack at the tail of the field. It wasn’t until the fourth bend before she started to make ground.
Charging up the home straight after the opening circuit, she quickly began to improve her position but was still over ten lengths behind the pace-setter as they headed into their second circuit.
Down the back straight, Highjay Muzzy continued to set a strong gallop but Ballymac Katie was now in full stride and closing fast. As they hit the penultimate corner, the lead was down to four lengths but this was where the momentum halted.
As if sensing her rival closing, Highjay Muzzy dug in. Staying on powerfully, Highjay Muzzy went on to contain the best efforts of Ballymac Katie by three and a half lengths in 58.89. There was a fifteen length gap to the remainder, headed by Ballybreen Blaze.
The winner was relentless up front. Her owners, the Highjay Gang Syndicate, may have to plan a trip across the water in the future with ultra marathon options very limited on Irish shores but have no doubt she has a very bright future as a stayer.
Conor Matthews Racing Support Officer Shelbourne Park presents the trophy to Stephen Maher after Highjay Muzzy won the 2023 Shelbourne Marathon 1025 Final, also included is James O'Hanlon. Pic: Imelda Grauer
BUBBLES FLIES
The Owen McKenna trained Lets Go Bubbles was at her very sharpest in the Christmas Oaks as she set the standard in the second heat, resembling her sensational half-sister Susie Sapphire in the process.
Rathdown Molly did make things interesting but Lets Go Bubbles was imperious.
Despite a tardy start by her standards, Rathdown Molly flew into second at the turn and closed on the leader to the third turn only to find Lets Go Bubbles was in no humour for surrendering her advantage.
Driving the third turn, Peter Comerford’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx kicked on again to increase her lead before emerging a comfortable
MAGIC QUIVERS IS TOO GOOD
Next fastest was Quivers Magic, as she produced a massive run to win the final heat for Adam Dunford, PJ and Charles Sugrue.
This was over as a contest from the opening yards. Quivers Magic is very strong on the bunny and she was in charge from the outset.
Making a flying start from the inside box, she comfortably led the field into the turn and she never looked under threat thereafter. Droopys Nice One did fly down the back straight to emerge as the only realistic threat but Quivers Magic stayed tight to the fence off the final turn to increase her lead before going on to win by two lengths in 28.27.
COCO AT HER SHARPEST
Boylesports Coco was again at her professional best as she emerged a comfortable winner of Heat 3 for John Boyle and handler, Dolores Ruth.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Barn Swallow had to be at her sharpest in a race packed with quality but that wasn’t a problem.
Showing tremendous early speed after a slick exit, she took charge to the corner and kept her rivals at arms-length throughout. Ballymac Run emerged as the main threat down the back straight but she failed to contain the eye-catching Arent We All, who took second in the closing yards. Boylesports Coco wasn’t for catching, however. The classy performer ran out a two length winner in 28.57.
QUEEN RULES
Paul Finn’s Lilywhite Queen (Droopys Sydney/ Dunquin Anna) always seemed the like pace-setter in the opening heat and she comfortably led the field around the corner but she also had to show great determination and strength to contain the late charge of Delightful Izzy.
Lilywhite Queen shot from the inside box and made every inch but that doesn’t tell the full story. Delightful Izzy, who recent won over 750yds, got a clear passage around the turn to emerge a threat into the third turn.
Once getting the better of Sawdust Storm for second, she set her sights on the pace-setter. The Murt Leahy trained Lilywhite Queen was up to the task, however. Despite the best efforts of her pursuer, Lilywhite Queen held on to score by a neck in 28.59.
STORY LAYS DOWN THE LAW
Storys Law has really been purring for Murt Leahy, Gavin O’Mahoney and Peter McMunn in recent weeks and he was at his very best in the ninth race to record a twelfth career success in tremendous fashion.
In a race packed with early dash, the son of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Berry shot from four to dictate throughout. Scotty Scheffler chased him hard throughout and briefly threatened into the third turn but Storys Law closed the door and eased on to win by a length and a half in a rapid 28.36.
ALL DOWN TO BUSINESS
Bernadette Connolly sent out the aptly named Down To Business to win the final race on the card over 575yds.
This was a hot contest but Down To Business displayed real pace and determination to contain the persistent challenge of Coonough Mary.
Down to Business, owned by Darragh Kelly and Sharon Mulcahy, had to really dig in with Coonough Mary challenging at the third turn before coming home strongly. Down To Business was enjoying himself out front, however, and he seemed to really pin back his ears and drive for the line. IN a driving finish, Down To Business held off his rival by a half length in 31.18.
MESSI TAKES HIS CHANCE
Tommy Woods had a good winner in the form of Lord Messi, as he came in as a reserve to contain the hot favourite Good Maestro in a driving finish.
Lord Messi, a son of Ballymac Best and Camera Shy, got loose into the turn and was not for catching. Good Maestro did run on strongly after a tardy start but the line came in time or Lord Messi as he held on by a neck in 30.04 for the 550yd trip.
A DAPPER DISPLAY
Dapper Davy benefitted from a wide draw in the opening yards of the third race over 550yds, making the most of extra space on the outside of the track to challenge for the lead on the turn. Despite taking a hefty bump on the bend, Hugh Mallon’s son of Droopys Sydney and Mustang Jill displayed enough balance to take up the running as they hit the second turn.
Once doing so, the result was never in doubt. Staying on powerfully, the Aug ’21 whelp eased right away to beat Beepers Mary by
MAX DOMINATES
A flying start made the difference for Danny Kehoe’s Maximilian (Pestana/ Ballycowen Lucy) in the second race as he dominated to contain the late challenge of Kilcolgan Zeus by just a short head.
The latter came out of the pack and looked a serious threat off the final turn only for Maximilian to hold on in 28.79.
PICTURE KICKED OF PROCEEDINGS
Brayview Picture got proceedings off to a bright start, racing a little off the pace before pouncing as the runners turned for home.
Dalcash Dotcom set a strong gallop but his stamina limitations were again exposed and Brayview Picture was ready to pounce for his connections, Gerry Merriman, Edmund and Conor Nugent.
The son of Superior Panama and Highview Picture stayed tight to the rail off the final bend and stayed on best of all to emerge a comfortable three length winner over Delirium Tremens in 28.66.