STUNNING GIZMO SMASHES TRACK RECORD
Ian Fortune
Gizmo Cash created history at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, posting the fastest time ever recorded for 350yds on Irish soil as he smashed the previous track record of Ardnasool Jet by over two lengths.
Jamie McGee’s brilliant son of Droopys Jet and Down The Green wasn’t even the fastest dog in his family up to recently, with that honour going to his older full brother Two Amigos, but that is no longer the case.
Gizmo Cash has clearly hit his prime with the results backing up this view. After capturing the Greyhound & Petworld Super Sprint at Curraheen Park last month, he set the standard in the opening round of the Islandbridge last weekend. Still, few could have expected what was to come on Friday.
Sent to traps the 7/4 joint favourite alongside Off The Pitch with his aforementioned older brother Two Amigos at 5-2, Gizmo Cash grabbed the contest by the scruff of the neck. Making a flying start from trap four, Gizmo Cash never saw a rival.
Off The Pitch bettered Two Amigos into the turn to go second but he was left chasing shadows. ON this night, there is scarcely a greyhound alive that would have matched Gizmo Cash. The February ’20 whelp powered up the straight to see off his two hugely talented rivals, Off The Pitch and Two Amigos, by three and a half lengths and three and a half lengths in 18.18.
There were plenty in the stands doing a double take as they looked at the clock on the infield but, when you consider the manner in which he dismantled such a top-class field, there is no doubt it was one of the great runs. The track was rated .10 fast for the sprint trip but that doesn’t take away from the run. In fact, allowing for the track rating, it was still under the previous mark. The opening bend sectional of 5.89 is almost more impressive and if Gizmo Cash can repeat anything like that next week, he will again take some stopping in the decider.
SUPREMO DIGS DEEPEST
Ela Supremo emerged a very determined winner of the opening heat, be it in a lot slower time than Gizmo Cash.
The Peter Cronin trained son of Ballymac Best and Mashmad Eyebrows broke fastest but had to really dig deep to contain the challenge of Robbies Champ into the turn.
As the pair battled for the lead on the corner they clashed on a couple of occasions. Behind the front two, Cappucino checked wide, holding up Mccool Blue. This left Fantasy Jesse to move third. As the front wo continued to battle for the same ground, Fantasy Jesse drew closer.
In a tremendous finish, Ela Supremo, owned by Alex Antoniou and Peter Bennett, finally shook of Robbies Champ but had to stick his neck out to contain the late challenge of Fantasy Jesse by a half length in 18.85. Robbies Champ was just a length back in third.
Islandbridge Sprint
Final draw
1 GIZMO CASH
2 TWO AMIGOS
3 ROBBIES CHAMP
4 FANTASY JESSE
5 ELA SUPREMO (M)
6 OFF THE PITCH (M)
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ROAD TAKES THE DUAL DISTANCE
Elsewhere on the Shelbourne Park card, the feature of the undercard was the final of the RCETS A2 Dual Distance and Rowlers Road came in as a reserve to land the €1,750 winner’s purse.
Making the most of an ideal draw on the fence, the Gary Walsh trained son of Laughil Blake and Tiddly Winks hit the front in the early stages and always seemed to have those in chase at arm’s length.
Owned by the Liars Club Syndicate, Rowlers Road came home two lengths to the good in 31.24 (rated .20 fast). Hunigassoon was second with Bogger Biggav third.