STAR SHINES BRIGHT TO LAND BARRY OPEN 600
Ian Fortune
Waitingforastar landed the first major honours of his career at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, producing yet another run of the highest quality to land the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmakers Open 600.
Sandra Guilfoyle’s son of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy has the most incredible engine and once turning within striking distance of Lennies Dynamic, the writing was very much on the wall. The latter rocketed to the turn to set a searing gallop but his fate was sealed when Waitingforastar turned close.
Although not the fastest into stride, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Waitingforastar got racing early despite taking a bump at boxes. Once leading Priceless Romeo, Highbury Days and Ello Ello into the turn, he was always going to be close enough to mount a serious challenge.
Goodnitekathleen held second into the corner, but Waitingforastar was perfectly poised in a close third and he began to make his move as they straightened into the back. Long before halfway, he moved second and set his sights on closing the gap to Lennies Dynamic, who remained almost six lengths clear.
It wasn’t enough, however.
Waitingforastar was awesome from halfway. Closing with each stride, he was within striking distance between the last two bends and, maintaining a relentless gallop, joined and headed Lennies Dynamic inside the final fifty yards before easing on to win by a length and a half in 31.96. Priceless Romeo was best of the remainder, staying on to take third a further five and a half lengths adrift.
Yvonne Barry sponsor presents the trophy to Sandra Guilfoyle after Waitingforastar won The 2026 Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600. Also included are Louise McKenn, GRI Cathal Curley, Jim Kennedy and Michael Dempsey Leinster Regional Racing Manager. Pic: Imelda Grauer
LOREAL SETS THE PACE IN PUPPY OAKS
The feature of the undercard was the opening round of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks and all three heats winners are set for big things in the future.
Razldazl Loreal had already proven herself at the highest grade and she produced a massive run from the front to win the final heat.
Dolores Ruth and Richard Brown will no doubt be planning for a big year in 2027 but there is still plenty to be won in the remainder of this year. The daughter of Droopys Scolari and Forest Willow was headed at traps but flew into the bend to assume control.
It was all very straightforward thereafter with Razldazl Loreal staying on well to see off Ballymac Alexei by three lengths in a quick 28.20.
IMRIE CLAIMS A FIRST VICTORY
Ballymac Alexei may have finished second but the two remaining heats went to ‘Ballymacs’.
On a big night for Liam Dowling, Ballymac Imrie won then opening heat in good fashion, leading from start to finish.
The daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wendy came into the race a maiden but she lost that tag in fine style. Breaking smartly from three, she quickly asserted and proceeded to make all to see off the staying on Call Her by three lengths in 28.31.
CMAX SHOWS HER CLASS
Ballymac Cmax won the remaining heat for the Keeping It Civil Syndicate.
Much like Razldazl Loreal, she already boasted some superb form in top company so it was no surprise to see her stamp her class on Heat 2.
The daughter oft Ballymac Kingdom and Ballymac Minton was sharpest at trap rise and increased her advantage to enter the back straight almost five lengths clear. Rolo Pasha gave chase and closed the gap to four lengths by the line but Ballymac Cmax was always in command and stopped the clock in 28.33.
TIMMY WASN’T SNOOZING
Snoozing Timmy was fastest of the opening round heat winners in the Shelbourne Park Juvenile Cup (A1/A2).
Sean Stilwell’s son of Newinn Taylor and Snoozing Duck looked considerably sharper in this contest than any of his four previous outings, flashing from one to post a 2.05 sectional.
Once turning in front, he never looked any real pressure. Ball Of Cash did run on well to come through for second but Snoozing Timmy looked comfortable as he hit the line two lengths to the good in 28.41.
JOHNSON OPENS ACCOUNT
Johnson opened his account at the fourth time of asking in Heat 3.
Representing Pat Devanney and the Devanny Family Syndicate, the well-bred son of Callaway Pro Am and Callaway Annika chased Oolala Chachacha into the back straight before striking between the last two turns.
Going through a gap on the inside, he was briefly held up but forced his way past to emerge a good winner by two lengths over the staying on Cash Buyer in 28.59.
HAZEL STORMS HOME TO SCORE
There was a very tight finish to the opening heat but Coolavanny Hazel finished fastest to get up late for Noel Browne and Neilus O’Connell.
The daughter of Coolavanny Ben and Coolavanny Betty was off the pace for much of the way but ran on well to pick up the always prominent Rios Miracle and Highview Quitly. Coolavanny Hazel came between runners on the run in to get up by a head in 28.61. Rios Miracle was second with another head to Highview Quitly in third.
FLYING FELIX SENDS OUT A WARNING
Slippery Felix gave a reminder of his ability and massive promise in the finale, storming home to beat Gallant Prince for a most impressive success.
Larry Dunne’s son of Dorotas Wildcat and Vigorous Orla had won around Shelbourne in early July in a brilliant 27.99, earing a place in the Derby.
Sadly, he carried no luck in the opening round of the classic or the Derby Plate and hadn’t been seen since. But after a two month layoff, Graham Holland clearly has him in good heart. Not only did he win, but the manner in which he did so hinted that he could be a major contender for classic honours in the future.
He was slowly into stride from two but flew into the bend where he was left tight for room. Despite being forced to check off the corner, he still managed to turn in a share of third. But from this point, he was on different level to his rivals. Dear Sir was in front with Gallant Prince second but neither could match Slippery Felix. Showing huge pace down the back straight, he went second at halfway before gunning down Dear Sir between the last two bends. Cruising past the pace-setter, he stayed on well to emerge a most eye-catching three and a half length winner in 28.36. There is so much better to come from Slippery Felix and he simply must be on your radar going forward.
CAIRO ON FIRE
Racing commenced with an A1 525.
Old Cairo (Signet Ace/ Delightful Izzy) was too sharp for his rivals, making all to score by two lengths for Reggie Roberts in 28.55. Kilcolgan Mick was second.