DERBY CLUES ON OFFER AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

It was a rare Saturday night at Shelbourne Park with no classic, sweepstake action or finals on the card yet there were some exceptional displays.

Of course, the start of the BOYLE Sports Derby is just days away and there were many clues on offer. Of the many superb efforts, the standout performance came from Carrick Scholsey as he laid down a marker ahead of the Derby. 

SCHOLSEY SENDS OUT A WARNING

After struggling for racing room, in a number of his most recent outings, a change of seeding and a middle draw seemed to really work the trick for Carrick Scholsey as he produced a massive run to spell out his Derby credentials in the second race on the card.

This was a quality packed affair but Carrick Scholsey turned it into little more than a solo trial. Trained by Robert Gleeson for Thomas Glynn, the talented son of Droopys Scolari and Droopys Beaufort was electric from traps posting a 3.33 sectional.

Despite giving away a little ground on the turn, he would enter the back straight two lengths clear of Droichead Nua before easing clear. Posting 17.03 to the third turn, he maintained a fine gallop throughout to eventually beat the staying on Sunshine Sioux by four lengths in a quick 29.33. Have no doubt, this was the type of display that puts him in the Derby picture.

A REGAL EFFORT FROM KING

Just fifteen minutes on, Robert Gleeson completed a fine double with Willie Hyslop’s Toolmaker King opening his Dublin account in some style.

A Juvenile Derby finalist a week earlier, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Curio was a hot favourite to emerge on top and it was evident from the opening strides he was going to oblige.

Coming away racing, he slipped up the inside of the fast starting Old Chicago to lead on the corner. Once doing so, it was all one-way traffic. Toolmaker King would go on to beat Burgess Mystery by four lengths in 28.26.  

FIVE STAR RUN FROM CALLAWAY

Callaway Five returned to his best in the seventh race, showing some of the pace that saw him stand out as such an exciting prospect in the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny.

Trained by Owen McKenna for Denis Murphy, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Clondoty Amy wouldn’t see a rival, flashing from trap two to make every inch.

Litter brothers Droopys Map and Zenith Pasha would run well to finish second and third but there was no stopping the pace-setter. Callaway Five would emerge a comfortable and most impressive winner by three lengths from Droopys Map in a quick 28.34.

SAPPHIRE LEAVES IT LATE

There was a wonderful finish to the fourth race, an A1 550, with Magical Sapphire finishing strongest to deny long-time leader Southwood Stan.

The latter was always under pressure with Magical Sapphire and Da Bold Rose on his tail into the back straight but he really did dig deep in an attempt to hold on.

It wasn’t to be, however. Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical Sapphire moved second on her own down the back straight before staying wide to launch a decisive challenge on the run in. The daughter of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Mags would get up to win by a head in 29.67.

THE FLYING DOCTOR

Doctor Darcy, owned by the Thirsty Seven Syndicate, would emerge a facile winner of the A1 fifth race after finding himself closer to the pace than normal as they hit the back straight.

Off the speed early, he would be left much closer than expected as Kristofferson ran a less than fluent turn up front, holding up Stefans Fathead in the process.

It meant that Doctor Darcy, after shaking off the attentions of Da Quiet Patch at the turn, would move a close third. Going to the front before halfway, the powerful son of Good News and Pennys Bobbyjo would power right away to eventually win by an ever-increasing five lengths in 28.50.

LOOK LEPT ON HIS CHANCE

Karol Ramsbottom would strike again in the eighth race as Lookandlep came home in front after battling his way to the front on the turn.

Second in the early yards, he barged his way past No More Fiftys on the bend to go to the front. Magical Hope and Cashout Girl would both give chase with the latter emerging as the main threat turning for home but Lookandlep was in no mood for surrendering his advantage. Owned by Michael and Noel Nash, the son of Ballymac cashout and Pennys Baccata would go on to score by two lengths in 29.82.

STYLISH EFFORT FROM SWORDS 

Racing ended with Swords Style, representing Barbara Lowndes and Graham Holland, proving too strong for long-time leader Magical Keith.

For much of the journey it seemed as though the latter would go on to score but Swords Style displayed real determination and strength.

Never far off the pace, the son of Grangeview Ten and Emers Sally really dug in on the run in, reeling in Magical Keith to win by a length in 29.59.

KLASSY EFFORT FROM SHOE

The sixth race on the card was an incredibly competitive affair with little separating the entire field throughout.

Ultimately, Klassy Shoe, owned by the Liquorice Allsorts Syndicate, found a way. After displaying displayed pace into the turn after a moderate start, the son of Grangeview Ten and Catunda Ebony was never too far away.

Kanturk Clon used his inside line to lead the field around the turn but he would be swallowed up at the third turn with the Kurtis Bain trained Klassy Shoe taking over. Still this contest wasn’t over with Oakfront Flash running on strongly to force a photo but Klassy Shoe held on to win by a head in 30.20.

MIKMACKER WINS A THRILLER

The ninth race on the card provided quite a buckle with Zenith Mikmacker (Ballymac Best/ Ballymac Minton) somehow finding a way to win despite a less than clear passage.

There was traffic on the corner with Sawdust Chaps running wide, holding up many of the line-up.

This left Lotto Other News to take up the running but he was under pressure when Zenith Mikmacker moved into second. Now under the care of Garry Dempsey for Birol Nadir, Zenith Mikmacker wasn’t found wanting for bravery. Closing on the leader to the line, he finally got his nose in front to win by a short head in 28.98.

JADE IS THE ONE IN OPENER

Jade One may have been making her Shelbourne debut in the opener but it was scarcaly evident as she looked right at home, dominating over the 600yd trip.

Making a fast start in the stripes, Anne Harrington’s daughter of Ballymac best and Drive On Robyn was always in command. Happy Jet and Bartlenmy Mainoo gave chase throughout but neither could land a blow.