SUPRQUIK STEALS HEADLINES ON A NIGHT OF FINE DISPLAYS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
There may have been only eight races on the Saturday card at Shelbourne Park, but it was certainly packed with quality.
There were many fine displays but the run of Droopys Suprquik in the semi-finals of the 1927 Lounge Open 525 was undoubtedly a bit special and fully deserving of the headlines.
SUPRQUIK SIMPLY AWESOME
As we have become accustomed, he was off the pace in the early yards with Old Warrior and Rodeo Joe taking turns to set the pace into the bend.
But Droopys Suprquik was fourth into the bend and it was clear from as early as the second bend that he was too close.
Still six lengths off the pace, which was now being set by Rodeo Joe, he began to move through the gears. Passing Old Cairo and Old Warrior as if they were stopped, he was on the heels of Rodeo Joe by the third turn.
It was a jaw-dropping turn of pace down the back straight, but he wasn’t finished. Stepping right, he slipped around Rodeo Joe between the last two bends and proceeded to drive clear to win by an ever-extending nine lengths in a simply awesome 28.07 on a track that was running far from fast.
There was a dead-heat for second with Roscomroe Rocky and Rodeo Joe crossing the line locked in battle. A reminder that Droopys Suprquik was six lengths adrift at the second turn and won by nine lengths. If you get the chance to see him in the flesh, take it!
GALLANT RUN FROM PRINCE
The second semi-final saw Gallant Prince lived up to his name for owners Ollie Bray and Leonard Kinsella.
The very speedy Highview Rob took the field along for much of the journey, but Gallant prince was always close enough to pose a threat.
He had to wait for the right moment to challenge, but made his move off the final turn and eventually outstayed the long-time leader. Warm favourite Johnjimthesecond also tried to get involved but Gallant Prince got first run at the leader. The son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva came through to win by a length from Highview Rob in 28.69. Johnjimthesecond was just a length further back in third.
NO HALF MEASURES
Half Yours returned to the scene of his debut triumph to win an AA0 Maiden 525 in the manner of a greyhound that is going to have a big year in 2027 for Pat and Eugene Muldoon.
Hotshot Toby got loose in the early yards but the writing was on the wall when the Graham Holland trained Half Yours managed to turn second.
Half Yours did lose ground between the opening two bends when forced to check over the back of the pace-setter but maintained his position in second and set about catching the leader. Showing fine pace down the back straight, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Cliffhanger shot up the inside of the pace-setter at the third turn.
Once going to the front, he raced right away to win by six lengths from Goldmine Diamond in a very quick 28.30. It would have been even faster had he not lost ground early.
JESS COMPLETES A HOLLAND DOUBLE
Minutes later, Graham Holland completed a quick double as Fahrenheit Jess continued her rise to stardom with a brilliant success.
Maiden Derby champion Harvard Square flashed from traps and was three parts ahead of Fahrenheit Jess into the bend.
Behind the front two, Ballymac Imrie badly charged boxes and was left behind in last. Meanwhile, the race was developing out front. Harvard Square stayed to the middle of the track, leaving room for Fahrenheit Jess to make her move.
Showing fine pace to the third turn, the daughter of Swords Rex and Danish Robyn got up the inside of Harvard Square to move on. It was a decisive move with Kenny Glen’s charge easing on to win by two and a half lengths in 28.30. Harvard Square ran a fine comeback race in second, while Ballymac Imrie flew home to take third, some five and a half lengths further back.
BELLS UP LOOKS A REAL PROSPECT
Liam Dowling has another potential superstar in the form of Fourbellsup.
Despite his inexperience, the youngster produced a massive run to win the open sprint for Jane Dowling. Shotgun Dez pinged from traps to lead early but he was quickly under severe pressure from both Bomber Nina and Fourbellsup.
The latter was wide of his rivals but edging inwards. However, the son of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Cams displayed tremendous pace and determination to cut off those on his inner before powering clear to win by an ever-increasing six lengths in 18.52. Bushpark Lennie came through for second. The winner is very talented and is certainly one to keep on your radar for 2027.
EXCITING CASHIN GIVES LIAM A BRACE
Liam Dowling later completed a superb double in the finale with another exciting prospect, Ballymac Cashin.
The son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Pete went up strongly from two, turning second to the electric Lennies Dynamic.
The latter seemed destined to score when maintaining a comfortable lead down the back straight, only for his stride to notably shorten as he turned for home. Ballymac Cashin was in the perfect position to strike.
Owned by the Metinthehalfway Syndicate, the hugely promising youngster stayed on strongly to contain the big finish of Durrow Star to win by a length and a half in 30.98.
NO QUEUE NEEDED
Orderly Queue certainly meant business in the second race on the card, showing real determination and pace to force his way up the fence into the bend.
The son of Koblenz and Tory Aria made his own luck, forcing both Ballymac Lix and Fancy Fada out of his way before being left further clear at the second bend as his pursuers clashed.
It was all very straightforward thereafter for Liam Cahill and Tony Lacey’s charge once skipping clear to halfway. Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, Orderly Queue coasted home five lengths clear of Ballymac Lix in 28.60.
CALL HER WINS OPENER
Call Her made most of the long run to the turn to win the opener over 600yds.
The Paul Hennessy trained daughter of Ballymac Vic and Pennys Jetstream was ideally housed in the stripes and powered into the bend to assert in the final yards before turning left.
Outlaw Oscar did run on strongly to make things interesting, but Leon Stynes’ Call Her held off her rival to win by a half length in 32.73.