FORTUNE FASTEST IN DUBLIN CUP

Ian Fortune

The 2024 Dublin Cup got underway on Friday night and a good crowd was on hand to witness some fine performances.

In all, seven of the twelve heat winners dipped under 29 seconds but the headlines had to go to the Have A Dream Syndicate owned Newline Fortune as he ran out a ready winner, posting the fastest time of the round.

FORTUNE TOO GOOD

Newline Fortune was simply in a league of his own in Heat 7.

Showing tremendous early dash, the son Of Ballymac Vic and Newline Mo was clear into the turn and he only increased his lead thereafter.

With his rivals struggling to find room in behind, the Robert Gleeson trained Newline Fortune drew further and further clear. By the third turn, his rivals weren’t within shouting distance and he continued to run with purpose to emerge a facile eleven length winner over Dazl Twink Star in a rapid 28.64.

SUN SHINES FOR HARBOUR

Sunshine Harbour was having just his sixth career start at almost three and a half years of age in Heat 8 but it was scarcely evident as he looked very sharp as he doubled his career tally with a fine front running display.

Stuie Griffin took up the chase in the early yards but could never get closer than a length at the line. Ollie Bray and Leonard Kinsella’s pace-setter, a son of Laughil Blake and No Recollection, emerged a length clear of Stuie Griffin in 28.88.

QUEEN HANDS OLLIE A DOUBLE

Ollie Bray later completed a fine double in Heat 10 with Gallant Queen charging into the turn to assert before going on to make every yard thereafter.

Rathanny Mopsey chased hard throughout but was never in a position to get back on terms.

Gallant Queen, a daughter of Pestana and Slippery Diva, eased on to win by two lengths from Rathanny Mopsey in 28.92.

DAWN SHOWS REAL PROMISE

Knockeen Dawn was a superb winner of Heat 2, taking charge into the third turn before powering right away to score for Daniel O’Rahilly, opening her account at the sixth time of asking in the process.

The daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Island chased Innfield Cooper into the back straight but was far too sharp from halfway. Easing right away, the March ’22 whelp emerged a comfortable six length winner over Innfield Cooper in 28.73.

PRINCE RULES IN OPENER

Miami Prince went up far faster in the opening heat than in recent outings, allowing him to make a decisive move at the second turn.

Angry owl went up fast to lead early but he was hampered and headed by Miami Prince as they hit the second turn. Once going to the front, Miami Prince was always in complete command. Trained by Garry Dempsey for Tom O’Donnell and Johnny Donohoe, the son of Droopys Sydney and yahoo Doll stayed on strongly to beat another big finisher Terrific Intent by three and a half lengths in 28.76.

BARBARO SHOW PROMISE

La Barbaro, owned by Roy Ball and Trevor Pearson, made the most of an ideal draw on the fence in Heat 6, going up strongly to lead throughout.

The Michael Ball trained son of Deerjet Sydney and Velvet Spring was always comfortable out front.

Showing no signs of letting up, the talented youngster went on to beat Glengar Whelan by four and a half lengths in 28.84.   

CHAMP WINS FINALE IN STYLE

Hey Champ didn’t exactly shoot from traps in the final heat but he did show plenty of urgency into the corner to challenge Cayan Lady.

As the latter edged inwards, getting clipped from behind, Hey Champ moved to the head of affairs. 

Tommy Flynn’s son of Lenson Bocko and Hey Moll quickly shot into a commanding advantage. By halfway, the result was beyond doubt. Razldazl Barkley stayed on well for second spot but Hey Champ emerged a five length success in 28.95.

BLUE MAKES WINNING FOUR BEND DEBUT

Rushview Blue overcame adversity to win Heat 3 for John Lee and David Murray.

In what was his first start over four bends, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ballybrack Gem failed to dictate but showed real determination to take over into the third turn before going on to see off the staying on Ballybough Carol by a half length in 29.09.

KID A GOOD WINNER

Stefans Kid was slightly slower in Heat 4, although he won in similar style for Shea Campbell.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Fridays Doll failed to lead early but he moved with purpose into the third turn to move to the front. He kept on finding thereafter to see off Ruffian Angel by a length in 29.11.

BENTLEY MOVES WELL

Jim Maguire and Michael Millar’s Daring Bentley forced his way around the opening turn in front in Heat 5.

It was a decisive maneouvre with the Michael Meade trained son of Droopys Sydney and Proud Prize going on to score by two lengths in 29.24.

CANNING IS ZIPPY

Paula Hoban’s Zippy Canning posted the exact same time in Heat 9.

An early advantage allowed the daughter of Ballymac Best and Cherry Lane make every yard although she was al out in the closing yards, holding off Paradise Biko to score by a length in 29.24.

WINDOW DIGS IN

Headinthewindow (Good Cody/ Drifting Abby) dug deep to win the penultimate heat for Murt Leahy and Michael O’Donovan.

Never too far off the pace, she challenged the early pace-setter Tommys Intention and Edermine Rocky around the last two bends before moving on as they turned for home. She hit the line a length to the good over Edermine Rocky in 29.00.