CRISPY STUNS AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park rarely fails to deliver on a Saturday night. And the latest Saturday offing was no exception with many fine displays, including a massive run from Droopys Crispy to land the feature, the final of the Paddy Merriman Memorial.
In doing so, Droopys Crispy completed her unbeaten march through the valuable stake, while also further cementing her position as one of the most exciting bitches in training. Barry Clancy and Graham Ashe can certainly say goodbye to A1 company with their daughter of Droopys Addition and Droopy Alyssa breaking the magical 28 second barrier for the second week running.
Sent off the 4/6 favourite after a wonderful 27.99 return in the semis, she quickly set about justifying her restrictive odds. Shooting from two, she was in front from the opening stride but had a serious rival in the form of Portumna Levi.
The latter has broken better than in any of his previous outings and seemed set to push the favourite hard but Droopy Crispy had an answer to every question. Showing real pace and purpose throughout, Droopys Crispy increased her lead into the third turn before staying on well to claim a fourth win on the bounce.
Portumna Levi and Headwire Trout both ran well in second and third but Droopys Crispy was sensational, hitting the line two lengths to the good in a stunning 27.93. Portumna Levi did little wrong in second with Headwire Trout running on well to finish just two and a half lengths away in third.
RAMPANT REX SETS BARRY STANDARD
The opening round heats of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600 produced some superb displays.
Lennies Dynamic and Highbury Days set the tone in the first two heats, making all to win, while Waitingforastar displayed awesome pace to win, but the headlines went to Riverside Rex as he went fastest when coming home clear in the last of the four heats.
A superb winner over 575yds on Derby final night, the son of Swords Rex and Glenegat Mildred was electric for Graham Holland and owners Dave Simpson and Matthew Curtis. Both Croydon Web and Priceless Romeo attempted to match Riverside Rex early, but the latter got the jump on his rivals.
Once turning in pole position, there was nothing those in behind could do. Priceless Romeo moved a clear second as they entered the back and ran right to the line, but Riverside Rex emerged a most impressive winner in a rapid 32.03. He had two lengths to spare over Priceless Romeo with Croydon Web the same distance away in third.
DYNAMITE DYNAMIC
Lennies Dynamic was always guaranteed to go to the front in the opening heat but would he see out the trip?
The answer is; he stayed it out well enough to emerge a good winner for Paul Hennessy and Lee Craze.
The talented son of Dorotas Wildcat and Pennys Jetstream wasn’t the fastest into stride but flew into the bend to assert and he carried his momentum into the back straight to increase his advantage. Ello Ello emerged from the pack to give chase but Lennies Dynamic was always on control.
While his stride did shorten in the latter stages, he held on to secure a comfortable two lengths victory over Ello Ello in 32.25. Coolemount Fame finished fast to take third, just a length further back.
DAYS A HIGHBURY WINNER
Highbury Days shot from traps to dominate Heat 2 for Sheila Mannix and Graham Holland.
In control from the earliest strides, the son of King Sheeran and Knockmitten Bawn would proceed to make every inch.
The warm favourite Oriental King missed the start and found bad traffic at the turn. Instead, the main danger to Highbury Days came in the form of Miami Hans who stayed on well for second. Highbury Days would hit the line two lengths to the good in 32.35 with Miami Hans second and Goodnitekathleen another five and a half lengths adrift in third.
STAR SHOWS INCREDIBLE PACE AND POWER
While the other heats were won from the front, Waitingforastar produced a massive run from off the pace to win Heat 3 for Pat and Sandra Guilfoyle.
Things didn’t look too bright in the early yards after he missed the kick from five, although he did show pace into the bend to go fourth.
Meanwhile, Droopys Winsome got loose at the heads of affairs, chased by Mona Lee Monbeg and Jaypees Cooper. To pick up one of the front three would be a task in itself, but Waitingforastar set about collecting three scalps.
Showing massive pace down the back straight, he moved third and was right on the shoulder of Mona Lee Monbeg by the third turn. Maintaining his incredible momentum, the hugely talented son of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy was second between the last two bends and closing fast on Droopys Winsome.
After doing so much to get into contention, Waitingforastar could have been forgiven for finding little off the final turn but it was quite the opposite. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the lines, he asserted on the run in to emerge a brilliant three length winner over Droopys Winsome in 32.32. Mona Lee Monbeg was third, just three parts of a length away. If the winner ever finds his trapping boots, he could record a scary time for the 600yd trip.
NOELLE SHOWS HER CLASS
Silent Noelle was heavily supported ahead of the Greyhound Make Great Pets Open Bitch 525 final and she made full use of her ideal draw, confirming her standing as one of the fastest females in training.
Others broke smartly, including The Other Eimear, Ballymac Alexei and Ballymac Altobel but Silent Noelle drove up the fence to make her move on the rail. Sticking tight to the fence, the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Terezas Mendoza displayed real class to strike the front.
It was an impressive maneouvre and one that secured victory for the Nolan–Mullins–Ahern Syndicate. Maintaining a superb pace throughout, she eventually hit the line four and a half lengths clear of The Other Eimear in a superb 28.15.
TICKETS GOES FAST
The semis of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust mini open 525 were later on the card and No Tickets and Gallant Prince both impressed.
The former was in a league of his own in the opening heat, showing fine early speed after a fast start to get loose into the corner.
Trained by Brendan Cullen for the Lord of the Rings Syndicate, the son of Grangeview Ten and Roaming Spirit sped right away down the back straight and coasted home a six length winner over Button It in 28.13.
PRINCE WITH A GALLANT EFFORT
Gallant Prince took the second heat in fine fashion also.
Ollie Bray and Leonard Kinsella’s son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva broke fastest but had to hold his inside pitch to turn in front of the challenging Highview Slot and Dumdoit Clover.
It was a decisive move. Gallant Prince went on to make every yard thereafter to score by two lengths from Highview Slot in 28.35.
STORM FOLLOWS UP IN STYLE
After winning in a rapid 28.12 the previous week, Jacktavern Storm backed that run up in the finale over the standard trip.
The Shaun Conway trained son of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini flashed from boxes again and led the field around the turn. He was afforded a little extra room as there was bumping on his outside. Daleroad Magic recovered to turn second and closed throughout but Jacktavern Storm wasn’t for catching. Owned by the Limoncello Syndicate, Jacktavern Storm went on to score by a length in 28.19.
JOURNALISM WRITES HIS OWN STORY
Journalism was a superb winner of the opening contest over 550yds.
For the first time in his short career, the hugely fast son of Ballymac Cashout and Cliffhanger trapped on terms and this left him in the perfect position to launch his attack.
Showing fine early dash, he was clear on the bend and proceeded to open up by six lengths to the third turn. Trained by Graham Holland for Eugene Buckley, Journalism raced to a facile eight and a half length victory over the staying on Blackstone Cola in 29.31.