DROOPYS SUCCESS IN SHELLEY FENNELLY MEMORIAL FINAL
Barry Drake
DROOPYS CRIOA (Signet Ace-Droopys Alice) made the most of the inside line to win the final of the €7,500 to the winner Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
The even-money favourite just made the corner in front from the badly drawn Carrigeen Whit. Both ladies displayed massive speed but the winner had the inside line and always had a narrow lead. Staying on well up front, Droopys Crioa dug deep throughout, holding the gallant runner-up, by three quarters of a length, in 28.34.
A great success for Droopys Croia, who is trained by Johnny Linehan for owner Sean Dunphy.
Alex Grassick (GRI Board) makes the presentation to winning connections of Droopys Croia after winning the Shelley Fennelly Memorial Open Bitch Stake at Curraheen Park. It also includes sponsor JJ Fennelly who makes a presentation to Robyn Linehan. Handler Saoirse Barrett is alongside Brian Collins (Munster Regional Manager) and friends and supporters.
Local trainer Kieran Lynch enjoyed a fantastic treble on the night. Enoch Bark, a son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballyverry Sarah, is a youngster going places and the November puppy clocked a fantastic 28.63 on debut, winning for the Premier Rebel Syndicate. The 4-5 favourite kicked clear on the back straight and he powered home for a wide margin success.
In the sixth, an A1, the double was complete as Butterbridge Guv displayed huge early speed to win for the Lynch kennel. The even-money favourite just did enough to hold the fast-finishing Millridge Cindy, by a neck, in 28.75.
In race eight, an A0, the rapidly improving Knockalough delivered a career best performance, winning for the Seasiders Syndicate in 28.34. The 2-1 winner took a flyer from the wide outside, storming clear early, the outcome was never in any doubt. A 28.34 winning run, six lengths clear of the running on Tag Warrior.
In the ninth, the BOYLE Sports Irish Derby Trial Stake, Sure Exile pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to win for the kennel of Andy Lynch. The 2-1 winner was catching the eye from halfway and he finished best of all to land the spoils, in 29.77. Ivo was three and a half lengths back in second.
Race 10, an A0, went to Gaytime Joachim for trainer Graham Holland and owner Brendan O’Connell. Always in the mix up front, the 5-4 favourite finished off well to beat the front running Boderan Ace, by a length and a half, in 28.73.
In the closing race, an AA0, Kilgraney Cash scored for Thomas and Mary Buggy. The 2-1 winner displayed stunning early gears, keeping on well, the impressive winner came home two lengths clear of Faypoint Harvey, in 28.52.
Finally, the additional prize money on the night was well received so well done to the Curraheen Park Supporters Club and other sponsors: The Cross Border Syndicate, the Slattery Family Syndicate, Roaming Turbo @ Stud, Elite Canine Transport LTD, Betting without the favourite with Angelo Hannon, and John Cahill Bookmaker.