YOUNGSTERS IMPRESS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Windy conditions didn’t stop those in action at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night from posting some fast times.
The feature was the semi-final action in the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks and Ballymac Imrie gave warning that she is going to be a classic contender in the future with a faultless display to emerge a facile winner of the second heat. Riverside Ariel was also impressive in the other heat as we saw the field reduced to six ahead of next weekend’s decider.
IMMENSE IMRIE
Ballymac Imrie was a 4-1 chance for the second heat with Razldazl Loreal, Ballymac Cmax and Ballymac Alexei all shorter in the betting but this was quickly a one-dog affair.
Coming away smartly, she quickly secured a near-length advantage on her rivals and cut across Ballymac Alexei on the corner to go clear.
A very young and well-bred daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wendy, she soon put her rivals to the sword.
Moving with a real fluency down the back straight, she eased away from some talented rivals. Razldazl Loreal attempted to get involved but took a bump early in the back straight, losing momentum. Instead, the aforementioned Ballymac Alexei set off in chase but there was no stopping Ballymac Imrie. Liam Dowling’s potential star went on to win by seven lengths in a sizzling 28.20.
ALL VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD FOR ARIEL
The opening heat saw Riverside Ariel run out a good winner over the hot favourite Glengar Robin.
The latter was never a threat after failing to secure racing room at any point other than the final yards. When finally getting some room, she flew home to move second in the closing yards but Riverside Ariel was always in the driver’s seat.
Trained by Graham Holland for his son Timmy, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Faypoint Maureen was sharpest in the early yards and soon moved to the head of affairs. It was al very straightforward thereafter as she went on to score by three lengths from the fast-finishing Glengar Robin in 28.41.
Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks
Final draw
1 BALLYMAC IMRIE
2 BALLYMAC ALEXEI
3 GLENGAR ROBIN
4 RIVERSIDE ARIEL
5 RAZLDAZL LOREAL (M)
6 CALL HER (W)
CASH IS KING
Cash Buyer made quite an impression when setting a strong standard in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Juvenile Cup.
David Murray and Joe Tynan clearly have a good one on their hands with the son of Ballymac Cashout and Jet Ski Queen dominating throughout to eventually emerge a comfortable winner.
There was a bit of traffic behind the leader at the turn but it scarcely mattered as Cash Buyer was already assured of victory. Once straightening up into the back straight, he quickly eased clear and proceeded to see off his little brother Ball Of Cash by seven and a half lengths in a brilliant, fastest of the night, 28.14. It’s no exaggeration to suggest the winner could be anything such was his level of performance.
JOHNSON FINDS A WAY DESPITE TRAFFIC
Johnson may have found himself forced to check his stride on more than one occasion in the second semi-finals of the Juvenile Cup but still emerged a mighty impressive winner for Pat Devanney and the Devanney Family Syndicate.
Somewhat predictably, Rios Miracle set a strong pace after showing fine early speed but her fate was sealed when Johnson turned second. The son of Callaway Pro Am and Callaway Annika was left short of room on the turn as the leader cut across and lost ground but he remained second.
Once straightening up into the back straight, he began to bridge the gap on the leader. By the third turn he was right on his heels, after making up over three lengths. But attempting to force his way through on the fence, he was again left short of room and forced to check.
However, he displayed real resilience to make a speedy recovery and renewed his challenge off the final turn. Again, forced to check slightly between the last two bends, Johnson edged to the outside of Rios Miracle to mount what would be a decisive challenge. Staying on well, he headed Rios Miracle on the run in to win by a length in 28.63. Rios Miracle was second with the fast-finishing Bronx Express third, just a short head further back. The winner will go considerably faster in the near future and is one to keep on your radar.
Shelbourne Park Juvenile Cup
Final draw
1 CASH BUYER
2 BALL OF CASH
3 RIOS MIRACLE
4 BRONX EXPRESS
5 JOHNSON
6 OOLALA CHACHACHA (M)
MIGHTY MO GOING PLACES
Salacres Mo looked a very nice prospect in the fourth race on the card over 550yds for Brendan Matthews and the PPL Syndicate.
The son of Pestana and Thisonesforyou broke on terms from the outside box before a fine turn of early speed to take charge into the bend.
He edged in at this point but was clear of his rivals and proceeded to open a good advantage into the back straight. Despite drifting wide down the far side, he maintained a decent lead to the third turn and ran right to the line to beat another eye-catcher Ballymac Cashin by three lengths in 29.74.
CAPTAIN CONTINUES HIS FIN RUN OF FORM
Gallant Captain continued his fine run of form with a comfortable success in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Museum Open 525.
In front from the opening stride, Jamie Magee and Gery Connors’ son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva would go on to make every inch. Connemara ran a fine race in second getting to within a length and a half of Gallant Captain but the latter was never going to be picked up as he stopped the clock in 28.49.
HARUTO POUNCES LATE
Minutes later, Monalee Haruto was too strong for Group Gunboat in a messy second semi-final.
The latter was left in front after opening bend traffic but Monalee Haruto was always within striking distance.
The Harutos Crew owned son of Glengar Bale and Monalee Ruth drew closer off the final turn before pouncing late for a three parts of a length verdict over Group Gunboat in 28.84.
JOURNALISM TOO STRONG FOR NUA
There was a fine start to proceedings with Journalism coming through to get the better of Droichead Nua over the 575yd trip. The Graham Holland trained youngster is clearly very talented, but he was forced to dig deep to see off the wonderfully consistent Droichead Nua.
Journalism actually broke fastest but couldn’t contain his rival into the turn. He did turn second, however, and that left him in the perfect position to strike. The son of Ballymac Cashout and Cliff Hanger drew a little closer before making his move as they turned for home. Eugene Buckley’s powerful tracker eased on to win by from Droichead Nua two lengths in 31.21.
STYLE HOLDS OFF COLEY IN A THRILLING FINALE
Racing ended with a cracking contest as Swords Style dug really deep to contain the Puppy Derby runner-up Kapuka Coley with both running extremely well.
Barbara Lowndes’ Swords Style is famously one of the most plucky and determined trackers in training and was always going to be hard to stop once going to the front.
Kapuka Coley missed the start somewhat but ran a good line, showing fine pace to emerge as the main danger into the back straight. He closed on Swords Style into the third turn and the pair had a great buckle on the run in but Swords Style was never headed. The son of Grangeview Ten and Emers Sally held off his rival by a half length in 28.36 to complete a hat trick for Graham Holland.