YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
As has become the norm, the Friday night card at Shelbourne Park is packed with sweepstake action including the semi-finals of the valuable TOTE Betting ON1 350.
Throw in the finals of both the Talking Dogs TV A1 525 and the Shelbourne Museum A4/A5 525 and there’s plenty to journey for.
NO HALF MEASURES FOR YOURS
There are a number of very promising youngsters on show in the ON1 sprint including Half Yours, who is set to start a hot favourite for the opening heat.
The second semi-final is far more competitive with a number of the line-up capable of going fast.
Half Yours was very impressive in the opening round and has been handed a kind draw in the opening semi-final. One of three litter brothers in the line-up, he was over four lengths faster than his nearest rival on the opening round clock.
Displaying plenty of early speed last week, it was the manner in which he stretched clear on the run in that really impressed. With a similar display this evening, he will certainly take some stopping. Of his rivals, Mongys Treaty and Journalism can offer the most resistance.
The former displayed plenty of pace in his opening round defeat and has a kind draw op the fence to unleash his challenge from. Journalism is a litter brother to Half Yours and was noted staying on well in third seven days ago. With a better start, he too could make the frame.
LENNIE GETS NOD IN HOT CONTEST
The second heat is absolutely packed with promising youngsters.
Shalefield Cunha flew to the turn and went fastest last week when posting 18.60, but will need to be at his very sharpest with Glengar Robin, Bushpark Lennie and Carrick Bruno to contend with.
Indeed, any of the quartet could come home in front and the bod just goes to Bushpark Lennie. He posted 18.81 in victory last week, despite getting distracted and checking his stride on the run in. With that experience behind him, he can go considerably faster. He is selected to lead home Glengar Robin, who flew home in defeat last week. Carrick Bruno has a kind draw on the fence but needs to hit the ground running in what is a red-hot contest.
HULK TO SHOW HIS CLASS AGAIN
Amidus Hulk is seen as the one to beat in the final of the Talking Dogs TV A1 525 despite the presence of Maireads Susie.
The latter has been in tremendous form and seems to be improving with each outing but she may have to come from the off the pace with Amidus Hulk blessed with truly outstanding early speed.
The Karol Ramsbottom trained tracker flew to the third turn to open a clear lead in the semis before coasting home to stop the clock in 28.18. What was even more impressive was his 15.74 split to the third turn.
He again looks a certain pace-setter this evening and would be very hard to pick up if going as fast as last week, which seems likely. Maireads Susie stands out as the obvious danger to the selection, while Lamrock Ace and Kilcolgan Norman are the best of the remainder.
MEZZA LOOKS HOT
Droopys Mezza was far and away the standout in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Museum A4/A5 525, making most of the running to clock a rapid 28.44.
She can justify short odds on tonight’s decider with Tollstone Flash again chosen to chase her home in second.