KATHLEEN TRIALS AND GOLD CUP CHALLENGE NEXT

Ian Fortune

It seems like a lifetime ago since Droopys Kathleen came to the attention of the greyhound racing world by smashing the Shelbourne Park 525yd track record on her way to capturing the 2024 Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks.

Since that famous night, she has only raced once more in Ireland and three times in total but Robert Gleeson is hopeful she will be back in action very soon after trialling well at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night ahead of racing.

The brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney has had tendon issues but al signs suggest she is in good nick and the plan is to aim her at the Tote Gold Cup in the coming weeks. On Saturday, she was given a 350yd trial and posted a rapid 18.52 off a 6.14 sectional.

Given the sectional, it’s safe to say she was really motoring up the home straight which bodes well for those hoping to see her return to the track. Let’s hope her prep continues without a hitch and we see her line up in the opening round of the Gold Cup.