SPECIAL BEACH CAPTURES SHELBOURNE OPEN 600

Ian Fortune

Ryhope Beach is the 2024 Shelbourne Open 600 champion although for much of the opening half of the contest it didn’t seem likely. On what was a tremendous night of action, the performance of Ryhope Beach as he captured his first classic success was the undoubted highlight.

This was a race that certainly didn’t go to script with Kyanite Kate, the outsider of the field, throwing a spanner in the works. Indeed, for much of the journey it seemed as though Frank Harvey’s bitch would cause one of the great upsets but it wasn’t meant to be.

KATE SETS A BLISTERING GALLOP

Kyanite Kate was sent to traps a 20-1 chance but she clearly hadn’t read the script as she shot from trap five to set a blistering gallop into the turn. Singalong Dolly, who was sent off the 6-4 favourite, was well housed on the inside of the track and in a good position on the inside of Ballymac Gizmo and Fashion Model to turn a clear second.

Ryhope Beach was fifth with Pennys Lynx a mile back after coming away awkwardly at trap rise. In normal circumstances, Singalong Dolly would turn behind Kyanite Kate and emerge the greatest threat but, in a matter of strides, her chance was gone.

As she hit the second turn, Dolly edged off the fence, seemingly taking a false step in the process, allowing Ballymac Gizmo up her inner. A couple of strides later, the pair bumped again, losing further momentum.

Suddenly, Kyanite Kate was six lengths clear of Ballymac Gizmo but Ryhope Beach was now advancing. As his rivals clashed on the inside of the track, Alison Bandurak’s powerhouse took his opportunity to improve his position.

RYHOPE GETS LOOSE

Supporters of Kyanite Kate would have been in clover to halfway but then came a moment of realisation. Ryhope Beach moved second at halfway and began to use his ground devouring stride to great effect.

By the third turn, the Michael O’Donovan trained son of Droopys Syndey and Calzaghe Jan was less than four lengths own and closing fast. Kyanite Kate did well to remain three lengths clear to the final bend where Ryhope Beach swung wide but he was still moving with real purpose.

It is typically on the straights where Ryhope Beach does the damage and that was again the case on the long run in. Showing immense power, he charged up the outside of the track to join the ultra-brave Kyanite Kate in the closing yards before taking the verdict by a half length in 32.23. Ballymac Gizmo was another six lengths back in third.

A TRULY SPECIAL RUN

It was a special run from the winner to come from over eight lengths behind the winner but also a huge run rom the runner-up. In any normal year she would surely have claimed a famous victory but Ryhope Beach is something of a freak. Where he goes to next is still up in the air but have no doubt, he will be box office.

Remainder of card

METAPHOR TOO SHARP

Droopys Metaphor faced a tough draw as the widest drawn of six inside seeds in the final of the valuable Retired Greyhound Trust A0 525 but he made light work of his task. Representing Robert Gleeson and the Newmarket Racing Syndicate, the talented son of Dromana Bucko and Droopys Zero was simply too hot for his rivals.

Both Abbeyside Spice and Deelish Nora broke fast from the middle but neither had an answer to the incredible early speed of Droopys Metaphor. Flying up the outside, the June ’22 whelp drove the corner to make his own luck. Clear into the back straight, it was little more than a stroll for Droopys Metaphor thereafter.

Traffic in behind cost Beepers Lariat his chances of making the frame with Lets Go Bubbles running on well to grab second, albeit it seven lengths behind Droopys Metaphor, who stopped the clock in 28.36. Abbeyside Spice was another half length away in third.

HERO PUTS RIVALS TO THE SWORD

The Graham Holland trained Swords Hero did everything right from trap four to win the opening heat at the expense of hot favourite Carrick Keano. This was a contest effectively decided at traps with Swords Hero coming away racing to lead from the opening stride.

Carrick Keano did recover from a moderate start to turn second but was never close enough to land a telling blow. Barbara Lowndes’ Swords Hero was always in control and the son of Droopys Sydney and Rural Aloha ran right to the line to emerge a comfortable two and a half length winner over Carrick Keano in 29.58. Droopys Comrade finished with a flourish to grab third on the line, some two lengths further back.

KING MAKES IT FOUR

Timmy Carmody’s Carmac King has been in superb form in recent times so it was no surprise to see him increase his sequence of wins to four in the second heat as he once again got loose in the early yards to make every inch.

The Owen McKenna trained son of Droopys Sydney and Peters Queen was kept honest throughout, however, with Maireads Prince turning right on his heels. Indeed, Carmac King had to dig in around the last two bends to contain his rival before staying on strongly to emerge a two length winner in a fast 29.47. Silverhill Adam displayed fine pace from the second turn to take third spot, another four lengths adrift.

MASSIVE RUN FROM ZAFIRO

In terms of the clock, the best was left for last with Syd Zafiro again displayed huge potential as he came through to beat his three rivals in the manner of a greyhound on his way to the very top. Tarsna Maasai set a strong gallop after a fast start from five but he was always under pressure once Syd Zafiro turned second.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Derby, Oaks and Easter Cup winner Susie Sapphire began to bridge the gap into the third turn before making his move on the turn for home. Going through on the fence, he then held the late charge of Scooby Pacemaker by two lengths in a superb 29.86.

It was clear before this run that Syd Zafiro is destined for big things but Peter Comerford and Owen McKenna can now start to dream of what the future holds.

MAN ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Marie Gilbert had a superb winner in the form of Tracker Man as he posted a career best 28.23 in the fourth race. It was clear from early he was going to go fast as he shook off his rivals into the turn with minimum fuss.

Hanover Sky turned second but was never within striking distance. Instead, Tracker Man, owned by Aidan Comerford and Barry Whelan, increased his advantage to the third turn before emerging a facile seven length scorer over the fast-finishing Peter Sydney.

SUPER SYD GOES FAST IN OPENER

There was a wonderful start to proceedings with Tribal Syd scorching around in a stunning 28.25 for Murt Leahy and Martin Costigan. With plenty of room to race in the early yards, the son of Droopys Sydney and Myahs Friend disputed the lead into the turn before shooting around in front.

With those in behind finding traffic, Tribal Syd moved on by almost eight lengths down the back straight. Swords Hudson came through for second and ran on strongly but there was no stopping the pace-setter, who eventually crossed the line with three and a half lengths in hand. It was a massive run and one that will see the winner say goodbye to A1 company for some time.

KAMARI LEAVES IT LATE

There was a wonderful finish to the eleventh race with Rathdown Molly setting a blistering gallop only to run out of steam on her return after layoff. As she began to fade, Patrick Nagle’s Droopys Kamari made her move on the run in.

Always second, the Murt Leahy trained daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Hunch got up in the closing yards to beat Rathdown Molly by a half length in 28.56 while A lucky Julie flew home to finish just a short head away in third.

BOY ALWAYS IN CHARGE

Racing ended with a very similar type contest as Ballymun Boy displayed superb early speed to get around in front before going on to make every inch. Dunnanelly Fred gave chase for much of the way but it was Highview Splash and the fast-finishing Stripe Sparky that would finish closest.

Trained by Dolores Ruth for Peter Sutcliffe, Ballymun Boy saw his stride shorten on the run in he bravely held on to win by a length and a half in 28.57. Highview Splash was second with Stripe Sparky really catching the eye in third.

ELSIE A REAL PRO

Ravenswood Elsie is almost certainly Oaks bound and she displayed her wonderful early speed to win the tenth race on the card for Gerry and Leslie Barber and Cathal McGhee. The daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Esther was professionalism personified, shooting from the outside box to lead some very talented rivals into the turn.

Once doing so, she always seemed to have their measure. Poets Dawn and Kerogue Lady both threatened at various points but Ravenswood Elsie was up to the task, pulling out extra to win by a length and a half from Kerogue Lady in 28.55.

CHIEF IN CHARGE

Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghegan have been in the winners recently around Shelbourne Park and they added another to their tally in the A1 second race over 550yds with Kilcolgan Chief stamping his authority on proceedings from the early yards.

The son of Pat C Sabbath and Razldazl Valerie was sharpest at traps and slipped around in front. It was all very straightforward thereafter. Riverside Pingu did chase him home but Kilcolgan Chief emerged a comfortable three and a half length winner in 29.81.

REBA LEAVES IT LATE

Beretta Reba has been finding a way to win in recent times and she did so again in the fourth race, taking over on the final bend to contain the rallying Sunshine Zoe. The latter led for much of the way but Beretta Reba was always too close once squeezing her way into second on the bend.

Graham Kelly’s daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Boulevard Mist closed into the third turn before making her move as they turned for home. She went on to win by a half-length in 28.59.