SATURDAY RACING RETURNS TO DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Saturday night action returned to Dublin on Saturday night and a good crowd witnessed some quality racing at Shelbourne Park.
Boylesports Coco and Jetstream Breeze brought the curtain down, winning open races in tremendous style, while the semi-finals of the A1 Dual Distance and mini-open 550 provided some superb racing.
SO SIMPLE FOR SIMON
Simons Cap set the standard in the semi-finals of the mini-open Barking Buzz App 550, showing good speed from the outset in the second heat.
Representing the husband and wife team of Skip and Marie Gilbert, the son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Doll was sharpest at traps and held a comfortable lead into the turn.
Mikeys Millie and Dromana Dano attempted to keep tabs on the leader but it was futile. Simons Cap is very strong on the bunny and he duly stayed on well to emerge an easy three length winner over Mikeys Millie in 29.84.
MARY WINS A GREAT BATTLE
Coonough Mary justified favouritism in the opening heat, although she had to really dig deep to repel the strong challenge of We Got This, who made most of the running.
The pair raced side by side for much of the way with We Got This holding a narrow advantage but Coonough Mary finally got the better of the argument in the latter stages.
Richard Cully’s daughter of Grangeview Ten and Holycross Leah had the inside line in her favour and she stayed on best to see off her rival by a half length in 30.04. In victory, he was completing a superb double for Barry Clancy, who had earlier won with Innfield Rapid.
A RAPID DISPLAY FROM INNFIELD
The aforementioned Barry Clancy would have been over the moon with the display of Innfield Rapid in the opening semi-final of the Talking Dogs Dual Distance.
Second into the turn behind the fast starting Skirk Gem, he was forced to switch wide as they entered the back straight before charging into the third turn to take over.
It was a decisive manoeuvre with the son of Ballymac best and Camera Shy quickly shooting clear to eventually see off the fast finishing Sporty Bigman by three and a half lengths in a very quick 28.50.
PIPER PLAYS THE TUNE
Fifteen minutes later it was the turn of Maurice Heffernan’s Pied Piper to come from behind to win the second heat.
This time it was Ballycairn Tess that set a strong gallop after a fast start but Pied Piper flew into the third turn to challenge.
The son of Droopys Jet and Higher Level eased on at the final turn before going on to cross the line with a two length advantage in 28.69. Ballycairn Tess stayed on for second.
BREEZE COMPLETES MARIE’S DOUBLE
Marie Gilbert had a wonderful finish to 2023, winning in the Christmas Oaks with Rathdown Molly, and she has also hit the ground running in 2024, recording a fine double with the aforementioned Simons Cap and Jetstream Breeze.
The latter won the finale over 575yds, showing real speed to get loose into the turn before repelling the challenge of Pennys Lynx. The pair were always clear of Hukum and the order never changed with Mike Freshwater’s Jetstream Breeze (Droopys Sydney/ Aayamza Breeze) emerging a length winner in 31.08.
COCO AT HER VERY BEST
Boylesports Coco was at her brilliant best in the penultimate race on the card as she saw off a top-class field with considerable ease. Flashing rom trap three, she quickly put daylight between herself and her rivals.
Those behind found traffic problems but it scarcely mattered as Boylesports Coco had set sail for home. Trained by Dolores Ruth for John Boyle, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Barn Swallow flew down the back straight to hit the third turn with almost ten lengths in hand. From there she coasted to a nine length victory over Carrick Aldo in 28.33.
HIGHVIEW A REAL TREAT
Highview Treat was certainly at her best in the fourth race, emerging a facile winner for Dolores and Gerry Merriman in a rapid 28.53.
Rinnwood Gem set the pace early but was no match for Highview Treat down the back straight. Once going to the front at halfway, the daughter of Superior Panama and Highview Picture flew clear of her rivals to eventually hit the line eight and a half lengths ahead of the early pace-setter.
SHEILA LEAVES IT LATE
There was a desperate finish to the fifth race over the 750yd trip with Seamus Reilly’s Breffni Sheila coming through to lead late from off the pace.
Russmur Shane set the pace for much of the way but ran out of steam, allowing Breffni Sheila to hit the front on the run in. The daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Drumalee Premier went on to beat Ballygur Bale by a length and a half in 42.49.
SAMSON ROLLS OVER RIVALS
Rollover Samson produced a professional display of sprinting to win the third race on the card over two bends.
Representing Kevin Losty and the What Do You Know Syndicate, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Smokin Da Lucy was dominant after a fast start. Gumption did finish well to close on the leader to the line but Rollover Samson held on by a half-length in 18.94.
GUNNER SHOOTS CLEAR
Gunner Lad was a well-named winner of the A2 second race, shooting from traps to dominate for Rita O’Donnell.
The son of Broadstrand Bono and Swift Toady was never really threatened as he saw off the always second Cayan Gent by a length in 29.09.
JET OFF MARK IN OPENER
Brayview Jet opened his account in style in the A4 opener.
Owned by the Brayview Lads Syndicate, the son of Jaytee Jet and Highview Novel had more early zip than his rivals into the turn and made virtually all to come home two and a half lengths clear of Airdown Ria in 29.34.