BUCKO HAS CUP AMBITIONS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Silverhill Bucko and Hazelhill Marty were both at their very sharpest at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night as they claimed their place in the final of the Dublin Cup with faultless displays of front running.
The headlines had to go to the former, however, as he set a strong standard with a blistering 28.29 success for Graham Holland and Eugene Buckley.
BUCKO PRODUCES HIS BEST
Despite failing to impress in the early rounds, the son of Dromana Bucko and Tory Aria was sent to traps the 2-1 favourite, just ahead of Brickhill Sky and the pair quickly came to the fore.
Brickhill Sky flashed from two but couldn’t match Silverhill Bucko into the bend.
Showing superb early speed up the fence, Silverhill Bucko had a length in hand on Brickhill Sky at the turn and increased his advantage to nearly two and a half lengths by the third turn. Brickhill Sky did stick to her task in second, closing on the run in but Silverhill Bucko had no intention of surrendering is advantage.
Silverhill Bucko emerged a length on top with Brickhill Sky running a fine race in second. There was a six-length gap to the big finishing Foulkscourt Cody in third.
MAGIC MARTY SHOOTS CLEAR
Hazelhill Marty was a 7-1 chance to win the second semi-final but he proved that once you have early speed, you’re always in a contest.
Representing Suzanne and Ruby Collins, the son of Pestana and Hazelhill Mint knew what was needed.
Flying from the outside box, he held a comfortable lead into the opening bend. A length and a half in front as they began to turn, the leader was left further clear as those in chase found traffic. Mutts Maximus turned second but the real danger to the leader was Highview Dynasty in third.
But then the whole complexion of the race changed with Highview Dynasty clipped from behind and losing her position. As this was happening, Hazelhill Marty was pressing home his advantage.
Clear of the pursuing Mutts Maximus, Hazelhill Marty never had a moment’s concern. Running right to the line, the June ’22 whelp claimed a seventh career victory by six lengths in 28.77. Mutts Maximus took second with Highview Dynasty recovering really well to take third, some three and a half lengths further back.
Dublin Cup
Final draw
1 SILVERHILL BUCKO
2 MUTTS MAXIMUS
3 HIGHVIEW DYNASTY
4 BRICKHILL SKY
5 FOULKSCOURT CODY (W)
6 HAZELHILL MARTY (W)
******
DANCER IMPRESSES IN PRO AM UNRACED
After a great buckle in the semi-finals, Carlow Rd Dancer and Callaway Katie renewed rivalry in the final of the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud ON1 350.
Callaway Katie was sent to traps the even money favourite to confirm semi-final form but Carlow Rd Dancer had other ideas.
Predictably, Callaway Katie set the pace into the turn but Carlow Rd Dancer was in her slipstream and the perfect position to mount a big challenge on the run in. Eddie Farrell’s son of Dorotas Wildcat and Miss Mini Moll steadied himself for a late thrust.
As he did in the semis, the April ’24 whelp flew up the home straight. In a tremendous finish, Carlow Rd Dancer got up to score by a head from Callaway Katie in 18.73. Both the winner and runner-up are set for bigger things in the future and are worthy of an inclusion in the notebook.
Pic above: Denis Murphy presents the trophy to Eddie Farrell (Snr) after Carlow Rd Dancer won the Callaway Pro Am @ Stud ON1 350 final. Also inluded are Eddie Farrell (Jnr), Chantel Farrell and Phelim Gorman. Pic: Imelda Grauer
MISSILE EXPLODES TO OPEN ACCOUNT
Metallic Missile stepped up in his latest encouraging run to set the standard in the semi-finals of the Tote Gold Cup Starts Soon A0 525 for Graham Holland and the Pints and Half Ones Syndicate.
Early speed was very much the key to success for the son of Grangeview Ten and Cloncunny Peecee.
After a slick exit, Metallic Missile flew into the corner to move into a commanding advantage. Gallant Captain stayed on well but Metallic Missile was rampant. Staying on well, he opened his career account at the seventh time of asking by three lengths from Gallant Captain in 28.33.
MEG WITH A PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY
Jerrivee De Meg also made all to win the opening semi-final.
Trained by Paul Hennessy for Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham, the son of Dromana Bucko and Outback Annie was ultra-professional as he comfortably contained Maireads Prince.
The October ’23 whelp has been in fine form around Clonmel but the switch back to Shelbourne didn’t halt his progress. Showing fine early speed, he made all to score by a length and a half over Maireads Prince in 28.55.
MAIREADS A REAL DIAMOND
The semi-finals of the Two Steps To Victory A1 525/550 provided two impressive winners with Maireads Diamond going particularly quick as he saw off the persistent Cushie Flytplan to stop the clock in a rapid 28.28.
A brilliant winner on debut last June in 28.26, the son of Droopys Sydney and Clona Skye had been lightly raced in the interim and was yet to ad to his tally but he did so in real style. Breaking smartly, he held his rails pitch into the turn to slip around in front.
Cushie Flytplan is very strong and looked a big danger when turning second but Maireads Diamond stayed on strongly to win for Fraser Black and Joe Horan by a length. On this evidence, it’s clear the July ’23 whelp will win plenty of races in the coming months.
ADAM BACK TO FORM
Josie Burns and Paul Matthews were on the mark in the opening semi-final with Highview Adam making the most of an ideal draw to make every inch.
The son of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Moment had been showing signs of a return to his best and, once turn in front, he was always going to be hard to reel in.
Town Kitten ran on strongly and closed right to the line but Highview Sam held her by a length to win in 28.60.
PIMPLE ADDS TO HIS TALLY IN FINALE
Aidan Denton has Kereight Pimple singing a sweet tune at present and the son of Broadstrand Bono and Right So Belle emerged a good winner of the finale to bring his career tally to eleven wins from twenty-eight outings.
This was a tight affair with Toolmaker King holding a narrow advantage into the back straight but he had no answer to those in pursuit. As things got tight into the third turn, Kereight Pimple made his move. Driving the bend, he shot to the front to quickly put the result beyond doubt. Zenith Gizmo stayed on well for second but Kereight Pimple seized his opportunity with all four paws. Powering to the line, he eventually hit the line five and a half lengths to the good in 28.55.
SHIV AN EASY WINNER
David McGrath’s Badminton Shiv was one of the most straightforward winners of the night when coming home clear in the A3 ninth race.
The Donal Murphy trained daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Badminton Queen flew from trap two and was in complete control from the start.
Entering the back straight in a commanding advantage, Badminton Shiv never opened the door for those in pursuit. Highview Flare stayed on well to take second but Badminton Shiv emerged a very easy six and a half length success in 28.68.
PRINCESS AND MIRACLE INSEPARABLE
There was no tighter finish than the A2 tenth race with Old Princess and Nina Miracle inseparable at the line.
Old Princess led from the outset for Reggie Roberts but was joined on the line by the big finishing Nina Miracle.
The latter, who is trained by Jack Kennelly for the Moneen Syndicate, stormed up the straight to join the long-time leader on the line. The pair stopped the clock in 28.96.
MAX WINS OPENER
Battle Max (Droopys Sydney/ Carlsbush Graine) provided Margaret Doherty with a winner in the A5 opener.
Always to the fore, he held off a number of challengers to eventually win by a length from Tickets Lizzie in 29.42.