BALLYMAC DOMINATION AS GLORIA TAKES MERRIMAN MEMORIAL
Ian Fortune
The ladies were given their chance to shine at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and they certainly seized the opportunity with a series of incredible performances, including a massive run from Ballymac Gloria to capture the €10,000 Paddy Merriman Memorial.
Indeed, her handler Liam Dowling had quite a night, sending out three winners with Ballymac Gloria the slowest of them on the clock despite leaving scorch marks on the track. That is because Ballymac Chantry and Ballymac Kamala also went exceptionally fast in the opening round of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks.
A GLORIOUS RUN FROM GLORIA
However, the headlines simply had to go to Ballymac Gloria as she completed an impressive campaign in the Paddy Merriman Memorial.
Sent to traps the 4-5 favourite, it was evident from an early point that she was going to justify her cramped odds.
Advantage Rule shot from four but so too did Ballymac Gloria from the inside box. The pair were joined into the turn by Magical Max but Ballymac Gloria retained her inside berth. This was important as it would allow her to enter the back straight in front.
Magical Max gave chase at this point but Down Tothe Wire was the only danger. The big finisher flew into the third turn to challenge for second only to be held up slightly as he attempted to slip up the inside of Magical Max.
It probably didn’t make much difference as Ballymac Gloria was still running with real purpose. Down Tothe Wire did go second and stayed on well but Ballymac Gloria was in a league of her own, hitting the line four lengths to the good in a superb 28.13. Down Tothe Wire was second with Advantage Rule coming through to take third, a further two lengths adrift. It will be the last time the winner runs in A1 company for some time as she is now likely to be aimed at the classics going forward.
Sponsor Dolores Merriman presents the Paddy Merriman Memorial Trophy to Dara Sheehan after Ballymac Gloria victory. Also included are Anna Barber and friends of the Merriman family. Pic: Imelda Grauer
CHANTRY STUNS AS SHE DIPS UNDER 28
Ballymac Chantry was simply majestic in the opening round of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks, producing a massive run in the second heat.
Drawn on the fence, Liam Dowling’s talented daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wisdom rocketed from trap one to dictate from the opening yards.
Despite moving to trap four, she comfortably made the turn and quickly put the result beyond any doubt. Back On Track initially gave chase but had no answer to the leader and was actually picked up in the closing yards by Ballymac Gwennie.
But this was all about Ballymac Chantry. The May ’24 whelp was relentless, pulling right away to win by seven lengths in a magnificent 27.92. She posted 15.97 to the third turn which means she came home in 11.95. That is serious! Ballymac Gwennie ran a big race in second, seeing off Back On Track by a half-lengthwith Blackrose Tina progressing in fourth.
KAMALA TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Liam Dowling was again on the mark in the final heat with Ballymac Kamala producing a flawless display of front running.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete was electric from boxes, showing massive early speed to clock a massive 15.74 to the third turn.
Carrigoon Bria gave chase with Ballydoyle Tina in third but neither could get close enough to concern the pace-setter. Although not coming home as fast as Ballymac Chantry fifteen minutes earlier, Ballymac Kamala would saunter home a comfortable five and a half-length winner in a rapid 28.09.
Ballydoyle Tina stayed on to take second, a head to the good over the fast-finishing Ballymac Altobel. Carrigoon Bria also progressed, just a short head behind Altobel.
ROXY REPELS RIVALS
Millabbey Roxy took the opening heat for Jamie Burke Ryan and Mark Robinson.
Good Katie was a hot favourite from two but missed the start and actually had to run well to get up for third. Instead, Ballyhealy Zip shot from four to lead narrowly from Millabbey Roxy into the bend.
With the former edging off, the pair bumped but it failed to halt Millabbey Roxy. Once getting room down the back straight, she moved to the front into the third turn. Im Not Cynical was now a big challenger but Millabbey Roxy was in no humour to surrender her hard-fought advantage.
The daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Millabbey Mandy kept finding up the home straight to eventually see off Im Not Cynical and Good Katie by a length and two lengths in 28.60. Ballyhealy Zip also progressed just behind the trio in fourth.
POLLY TAKES OFF
Singalong Polly became the latest impressive winner for the potent Pat Buckley/ Gilbert Anderson alliance when emerging a comfortable and most impressive winer of the ninth race on the card.
The daughter of Grangeview Ten and Mystical Luna was at her sharpest, leading from the opening strides.
Zenith Pasha and Ello Ello took up the chase but Singalong Polly has shown real pace and strength in her short career to date so it was no surprise to see her repel the challenge from behind. Kicking on between the last two bends, she hit the line three and a half lengths clear of Zenith Pasha in a very fast 28.11.
BLUE IMPRESSES IN 575YD OPENER
Boylesports Blue was at his most powerful best in the opener over the 575yd trip, staying on strongly to collar Bockos Sapphire on the run in.
The latter won the battle for early supremacy as Karacreek Ranch was crowded out at the second turn.
Bockos Sapphire is very strong herself, but the writing was on the wall when Boylesports Blue shot up the fence to enter the back straight a close second. Trained by Paul Hennessy for John Boyle, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Hugh Dream overpowered his rival on the run in to win by two lengths in a very fast 30.88.
DEZ FIRES
Racing ended with Shotgun Dez making a successful Dublin debut for owners Pat and Molly Muldoon.
A four-time winner around Cork, he made the most of an ideal draw on the fence to come home alone. The Graham Holland trained son of King Sheeran and Danish Robyn was a length own on the fast-starting Droopys Map in the early yards but flew up the fence to force his way to the front on the corner.
Quickly opening a clear advantage, he coasted to a facile and most impressive six and a half-length victory in a fast 28.20. Droopys Map was second.
HOUDINI WITH A MAGICAL DISPLAY
Harry Houdini seemed to be drawn a little too far off the fence in the penultimate race but a flying start quickly put those concerns to rest.
Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for Conor O’Donnell, the son of Magical Bale and Rangefield Lass held a comfortable lead around the corner and always seemed to be containing Bubbly Charger. At the line the pair were separated by a length in 28.31.
PAUL A REAL PICK
John Hand and Paul Brady had a terrific winner in the form of Pauls Pick, who made a decisive move at the third turn before charging on to win the second race in style.
It was quite a way to say goodbye to A2 company.
Coolemount Ziggy led in the early yards but had no answer to Pauls Pick into the third turn. Once taking over, the daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Ballinabola Rum eased on to win by three lengths in a career best 28.49. Coolemount Ziggy was second.
TROIKA SHOWS HIS POWER
Riptide Troika had struggled to open his account for Brian and Kevin O’Sullivan but after winning in mid-October, he charged home to make it two wins in his last four starts in the A1 third race.
Town Pearl did all she could to add to her tally, shooting from trap two to make almost every inch of the running but Riptide Troika was always a concern when turning third.
Closing into the third turn, the powerful son of Malachi and Cardi Kiki mounted a decisive challenge on the run in. In a desperate finish, the Neilus O’Connell trained Riptide Troika got up to win by a head in a very quick 28.44.