PUPS DELIGHT ONCE AGAIN
Ian Fortune
There may have still been signs of inexperience but the semi-finals of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced provided some exceptional racing again at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with all three heats won in impressive fashion.
Honour of going fastest went to Coloursaregreen but both Highview Paul and Ballymac Stud also impressed in their respective heats.
GREEN IS OUTSTANDING
Coloursaregreen was simply outstanding in the opening heat for new owners Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham.
The Paul Hennessy trained son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary left a potentially top-class field chasing shadows as he flashed from boxes to dominate.
Made To measure initially gave chase but he was headed down the back straight by Ballycowen Milo. Coloursaregreen was not for catching, however, and he would power home to win by an ever-widening six and a half lengths in a very quick 28.36. Ballycowen Milo was second, a length and a half clear of Made To Measure in third.
PAUL SHOWS GREAT TRACK CRAFT
Heat 2 may have been a five-dog affair but there was still plenty of bumping, much of it between the big two in the market Maireads Diamond and Magical Major.
In fairness to Highview Paul, he took full advantage, charging to the front on the second turn before making all thereafter.
Representing the Dolores and Gerry Merriman combo, the well bred son of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Moment shot around the big two in the market as they hit the back straight before going on to win from the rallying Magical Major by a length in 28.68. There was a further two lengths to Maireads Diamond in third.
STUD LOOKS A SERIOUS PROSPECT
The final heat was another messy affair with Ballymac Stud coming out on top after shaking off the challenge of his great market rival Droopys Painting.
Droopys Painting actually came away racing to lead in the early yards but Ballymac Stud and Tommy Buck flew up on the flanks of the leader to challenge on the corner. Ballymac Stud moved on at this point with Droopys Painting and Tommys Buck clashing before both hit the deck.
Thankfully both greyhounds got up and were fine. Meanwhile Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Stud shot clear of the chasers. The son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete would emerge a twelve and a half length winner over Pennys Nugget in 28.39. Mad To Cashout was third, a further nine and a half lengths back.
Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced
Final draw – note the final will be run on Saturday, July 5th
1 Magical Major
2 Pennys Nugget
3 Coloursaregreen
4 Ballymac Stud
5 Highview Paul
6 Ballycowen Milo (m)