SCAMPI AND BROWNE IN A HURRY IN 1XBET ISLANDBRIDGE OPEN SPRINT
Ian Fortune
There was some superb racing on offer at Shelbourne Park on Friday night and, fittingly, the two best displays on the card came in the feature, the semi-finals of the 1XBET Islandbridge Open Sprint.
With Droopys Scampi and Stonepark Browne both leaving scorch marks on the Shelbourne sand as they flew around in an identical 18.33 in their respective heats.
SCAMPI TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Droopys Scampi was brilliant.
Despite a tough draw on the outside of the track, the daughter of Droopys Flytline and Droopys Winifred got straight down to work. Breaking smartly to dispute the lead with Portrush Ben in the opening yards, she forged her way to the front into the corner.
Clocking a sizzling 5.88 sectional, she headed Portrush Ben and Rallying Billy at the turn and maintained a powerful gallop to the line. The Johnny Linehan trained speedster would emerge a tremendous winner by three lengths and a length in a sizzling 18.33 (.10 fast). Portrush Ben and Rallying Billy would chase her ibnto the final in second and third.
BROWNE GOES EVERY BIT AS QUICK
Coincidentally, the second heat was won in the exact same time with Michael O’Dwyer’s Stonepark Browne again reminding us that he is amongst the best sprinters in training.
The race to the turn was extremely competitive with Stonepark Browne always perfectly positioned on the inside of the track alongside Bomber Nina and the improving Tiermana Dream.
Something had to give and the Michael O’Donovan trained Stonepark Browne (Malachi/ Coolavanny Ella) took full advantage of his rails pitch. With room at a premium, he stayed tight to the fence to move clear.
Both Tiermana Dream and Bomber Nina were held up somewhat and Stonepark Browne pulled away to win by four lengths from Tiermana Dream in 18.33(.10 fast). There was a two-length gap top Bomber Nina in third.
ACE BACK TO SOME FORM
The final of the gogreyhoundrcaing.ie A2 Dual Distance saw Lamrock Ace return to winning ways for Karol Ramsbottom and owners Michael and Noel Nash.
The son oif Ballymac Cashout and Pennys Baccata was razor-sharp at boxes, flashing from the outside trap to lead from start to finish.
Susies Shadow attempted to challenge a couple of times, but Lamrock Ace kept finding out front and stayed on to see off his persistent rival by two lengths in 29.88(.20 fast).
BUCKO OPENS ACCOUNT IN STYLE
Paul Smith and Mark Moore had reason to be more than happy after the A1 opener over the 575yd trip with their Barntick Bucko emerging a tremendous winner in a superb 30.91(.20 fast).
Second from the opening bend, he had simply too much ammunition for My Mate Paul into the third turn.
The son of Dromana Bucko and Barntick Smokey moved on at this point and quickly put daylight between himself and his pursuers. Staying on well to the line, the June ’24 whelp emerged a comfortable three and a half length winner over the staying on Zippy Major to open his account at the ninth time of asking.
BUGLE GOES QUICK
There were some good displays in the opening round of the Sporting Press A3 NB 525 with Droopys Bugle setting the standard in the opening heat.
Prominent from the outset, he was afforded plenty of room on the turns by the wide running Droopys Mezza and took full advantage.
Lorcan O’Reilly’s Droopys Bugle (Serene Ace/ Droopys Berry) brought his career tally to five wins from seven starts by two lengths over Droopys Mezza in 28.71(.20 fast). Poppy Queen caught the eye in third.
GALLANT CLAIMS A FIFTH VICTORY
Droopys Gallant was brave in the second heat as he too claimed a fifth career victory.
He held a narrow advantage into the bend with Carlow Rd Duke pressing but seemed to dig deep at every moment of danger to hold on for a narrow victory.
Trained by Murt Leahy for the Roll The Dice Syndicate, the son of Droopys Addition and Droopys Alyssa hit the line a neck to the good in 28.76(.20 fast). Carlow Rd Duke was second with Turnon The Turbo in third.
FADA MAKES EVERY INCH
The final heat saw Fancy Fada (Ballymac Cashout/ Rallying Saidso) flash from traps to make all.
He was always in charge as he emerged a comfortable winner for Noah Morgan, seeing off Carrick Yorky by a length and a half in 28.79(.20 fast).