IMRIE ANOTHER STAR FOR DOWLING
Ian Fortune
On a night when Ballymac Setanta and Ballymac Deniro were shining bright at the Leger in Limerick and just a fortnight after Ballymac Kamala captured the Laurels at Curraheen Park, Liam Dowling was also sending out a clear warning at Shelbourne Park to anyone that cared to listen that he has another potential classic winner in the form of Ballymac Imrie.
The final of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks was the undoubted feature in Dublin on Saturday night and it was fitting that Ballymac Imrie served up one of the finest displays seen all year as she posted a sensational 27.89 to land the €10,000 prize.
BALLYMAC IMRIE AT HER VERY SHARPEST
It was clear given the quality of the line-up that something special was going to be needed and the daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wendy certainly stepped up.
Faultless in her semi-final when posting 28.20 off the front, few doubted she could repeat that form but not only did she match it, she stepped up considerably on form.
The layers struggled to make a favourite with each of the big three in the market, Ballymac Imrie, Glengar Robin and Razldazl Loreal starting the co-favourites at 2-1. However, after a single stride, it became obvious that Ballymac Imrie was the one to beat.
The May ’25 whelp flew from the inside box, posting a sizzling 1.98 sectional to lead Razldazl Loreal and Glengar Robin into the bend. The chasing pair were side by side in the early exchanges with Razldazl Loreal going second on her own on the turn.
None of the remaining trio could land a blow after failing to start on terms. Razldazl Loreal ran a fine bend to enter the back straight just two lengths behind Ballymac Imrie with Glengar Robin on her heels in third. And so, it was race on!
All three bitches ran a huge back straight, although Razldazl Loreal did close a little on the leader into the third turn. She was still a length and a half back, however. Meanwhile, Glengar Robin was readying herself for a late thrust.
Still the order didn’t change. Razldazl Loreal again ran a wonderful bend to get to within a length and quarter of the leader but Ballymac Imrie had something up her sleeve. Despite setting such a searching gallop from the outset, she kicked again off the final turn.
Razldazl Loreal had given her all and had no more to give. Glengar Robin flew home to grab second but Ballymac Imrie, despite her youth, did enough to establish herself as perhaps the most promising young bitch in training. She hit the line three lengths clear in 27.89, the joint third fastest time of the year at Shelbourne Park.
Sponsor Plunkett Matthews presents the trophy to Dara Sheehan after Ballymac Imrie won the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks AAO 525, included are Dylan Brennan Racing manager and Kaydon O Connor. Pic: Imeda Grauer
CASH IS THE JUVENILE KING
Cash Buyer was a narrow favourite to land the Shelbourne Park Juvenile Cup after posting a brilliant 28.14 in the semis but had to work a little harder to land the €5,000 decider, providing owner Joe Tynan and handler David Murray with a memorable one-two.
Rios Miracle again set a strong pace, showing all her wonderful early speed, but the writing was on the wall once Cash Buyer slipped up the fence to turn second. Johnson overcame some early bumping to go third and flew down the back straight, only to run out of room.
Instead, Cash Buyer moved past the pace-setter at this point to put the result beyond doubt. The son of Ballymac Cashout and Jet Ski Queen maintained a powerful gallop to the line to emerge a good winner by a length and a half in 28.39. His litter brother, Ball Of Cash, displayed huge pace to come through for second with Johnson two and a half lengths further adrift in third.
Dylan Brennan Racing Manager presents the trophy to Joe Tynan after Cash Buyer won the Shelbourne Park Juvenile Cup A1/A2 525, also included are Alan Halligan, Alan Devine, Geraldine Loughrey and Padraig Weir holding runner up Ball Of Cash - litter brother of the winner. Pic: Imelda Grauer
WELL REMAINS UNBEATEN
Ultens Well may have found traffic in the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Starts Soon ON1 525 but he again found a way to win, while also leaving the impression for the second week running that he could develop into a very talented tracker.
This quickly turned into a contest where the inside runners were given their opportunity as the outside trio clashed in the early yards. These included Ultens Well in the stripes. Despite taking a bump soon after trap rise, the son of Droopys Flytline and Maries Wedding displayed fine seed into the bend to sit a close fourth.
He then proceeded to run a brilliant corner, riding another bump, to dispute the lead into the back straight as the front two, Oakwood Trent and Radical Legacy clashed on the inside. Ultens Well was in front by the time they passed the sprint boxes and he never took his foot off the pedal thereafter.
Droopys Suprquikdisplayed fine pace into the third turn, only to have the door closed. He gathered himself before finishing fast to take second but Ultens Well went on top score by two lengths in 28.63. There is so much to take away from this contest. Many of those on show will go onto to have good careers but one can’t help but feel the winner has any amount of improvement to come. He could be very good, while the runner-up is clearly going to need further but has awesome pace and strength.
LADY DOUBLES TALLY
Connemara Lady doubled her career tally in the Shelbourne Park Museum Open 525 decider, although not everything went smoothly.
There was a line of four greyhounds disputing the lead into the turn with Connemara Lady amongst them.
The Paul Hennessy trained starlet was between bigger rivals but somehow emerged in front only to have her legs taken from her as they hit the second turn. Badminton Shiv, with the inside line in her favour, moved on but Connemara Lady made a quick recovery to remain second.
James Doyle’s daughter of Swords Rex and Glenegat Mildred them charged into the third turn to challenge the new leader on the inside. Getting through the gap, Connemara Lady turned or home in pole position. Despite the late charge of Gallant Captain, Connemara Lady held on to score by a length in 28.73.
ROBIN TAKES FLIGHT
Swords Robin may have only won the second race, an A0 525, by a narrow margin, but he left those paying attention in no doubt that he could be a serious prospect going forward.
Unanimous Toby and Swords Robin both broke smartly with the latter going around in front after showing his now famed early dash.
Meanwhile, Swords Robin was forced wide as Rodeo Joe attempted to get between the duo. He took a second bump on the second turn and had to wait for his chance to get past Rodeo Joe down the back straight.
When he did move second, he again had to wait for the right opportunity to challenge the leader. Despite showing clear signs of inexperience, the Graham Holland trained Swords Robin had enough in the tank to launch a decisive challenge on the run in.
Barbara Lowndes’ son of Swords Rex and Danish Robin flew up the straight to lead late for a length verdict over the promising Unanimous Toby in 28.35. It seems safe to assume the winner will go considerably faster in the near future, while the runner-up has the early speed to win a bucket full of races. And Ballymac Cashin again caught the in third, just a length further adrift.
BIG TICKET PIROUETTES TO SUCCESS
No Tickets may weigh in at a massive 88lbs but the son of Grangeview Ten and Roaming Spirit is as light on his feet as a ballerina and he made full use of his twinkle toes to win the finale for Brendan Cullen and the Lord of the Rings Syndicate.
The in-form Jacktavern Storm broke fastest from the inside box but he had no answer to the early speed of No Tickets. The massive tracker charged into the turn from three and danced around the turn, gaining valuable ground on the chasing pack. Bushpark Lennie emerged as the main threat into the back straight and he closed all the way to the line but No Tickets was up to the task, holding off his rival by a head in 28.36.
A SURE DISPLAY FROM EXILE
After racing as a Laurels finalist in his previous outing, Sure Exile made the most of a significantly easier task in the opener over 575yds.
Andy Lynch’s consistent and talented son of Broadstrand Bono and Glowing Exile was ideally housed on the fence and he made full use of the draw.
Breaking fast, he was second into the turn, just behind Jacktavern Cool, but was close enough to bump the leader and move upsides as they turned into the back. Soon after, the April ’24 whelp struck the front.
What was notable from the second turn was the strength with which Sure Exile displayed. Pulling right away to the line and to the pick-up, he would emerge a facile five length winner over Jacktavern Cool in 31.17. By the time he hit the escape, he was a mile clear, suggesting he will stay even further.
DARA DASHES TO VICTORY
Avongate Dara continued his fine run of form for Rory Hickey by capturing the sole sprint on the card.
A natural starter, he was always to the fore, disputing the lead into the turn with his old foe Me Bosco. The latter actually moved on at this point but Avongate Dara ran a true line on the inside of the track to move to the front soon after the second bend. Staying on well, the son of King Sheeran and Lilywhite Queen held off the fast-finishing Dear Sir by a half length in 18.76.