GOT THIS AND PIPER SHINE AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

It may not have been a high-profile night at Shelbourne Park on Saturday but the action was hugely competitive and somewhat enthralling from start to finish.

There were two fins up for decision with both producing a wonderful winner in the form of Piped Piper and We Got This, while Optic Chico brought the curtain down with a massive run in the finale.

HE CERTAINLY HAS GOT THIS

We Got This displayed really impressive pace to win the final of the Barking Buzz App Open 550.

He also displayed plenty of determination and a desire to get to the front, two qualities that will serve him well going forward.

Dromana Dano broke fastest to lead early although Mikeys Millie flew into the corner to hold a narrow advantage. However, We Got This was behind the pair in third. Mikeys Millie took a step for herself on the turn, leaving Dromana Dano to shoot around in front but his fate was sealed when We Got This moved second.

It was now a two-dog affair. Dromana Dano did all he could to contain we Got This but he had no answer to the pace of the latter into the third turn. Showing massive speed into the third turn, We Got This rounded his rival to strike the front.

The stride of We Got This began to shorten slightly on the run in but his owners Amanda Meade and Sean Roche needn’t have worried as he had enough in hand. The son of Droopys Buick and Knocksouna Lady claimed a deserving length victory over Dromana Dano in 29.90.  

PIPER LEADS HIS RIVALS HOME

It took Pied Piper some time to claim a first win at Shelbourne park earlier in the year and he had to wait over seven months for his next last weekend but his owner Maurice Heffernan will be delighted he didn’t have to wait too long for a third.

Just seven days after his impressive semi-final success, the pacey son of Droopys Jet and Higher Level emerged a good winner of the Talking Dogs A1 Dual Distance decider over 550yds, claiming the €2,000 prize in good style.

Skirk Gem and Ballycairn Tess went up fastest with the latter edging on early in the back straight but they were being stalked by Pied Piper and Innfield Rapid. The race really came to life passing halfway.

With Skirk Gem pressing Ballycairn Tess, Pied Piper and Innfield Rapid made their move on the flanks of the front two. At the third turn there was practically a line of four greyhounds challenging for the lead. Something had to give.

Pied Piper was in no mood for surrendering his rails pitch and this was to prove decisive. Bursting his way through, he found himself in front as his rivals clashed. The race was over as a contest. Pied Piper strode out comfortably to strike the line two lengths to the good in 30.34. Skirk Gem was second.

IT’S CHICO TIME

There was a brilliant end to the night’s action with Optic Chico producing a massive run over the standard trip to lower the colours of the recent Christmas Oaks winner Rathdown Molly.

From the outset this was a dead match. Optic Chico flashed from the outside box to lead early but he was quickly joined and headed by Rathdown Molly. Still, he was too close in second. The powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess began to move through the gears down the back straight.

Rathdown Molly id all she could to contain the Robert Gleeson trained star but it was futile. Optic Chico moved with real fluency to lead on the third turn. From there Richard Vereker and Paul Allen’s star moved clear to emerge a brilliant five length winner in a sizzling, fastest of the night, 28.23. 

FOXY REALLY FIRING

Marie Gilbert has her string really firing at present and De Foxy Devil was another to impress for the Balbriggan based handler, emerging a facile winner of the opening semi-final of the A1 525.

This was little more than a procession for Pat Flanagan’s promising son of Broadstrand Bono and Kilgowan Honey.

Bang On Target flew from traps but had no answer to the early speed of De Foxy Devil. Taking charge into the bend, he eased further and further clear to eventually stop the clock in a fast 28.39, some six lengths clear of Now Were Talkin. 

ROSE ARRIVES LATE AND FAST

The second heat was a far more competitive affair with early pace-setters Uncle Tom and Legit News reeled in late by the strong running Lima Rose.

Uncle Tom led the field dowqn the back straight but w4as under severe pressure from Legit News.

As the latter steered a wide path, Lima Rose drew closer before coming between her rivals to lead in the closing yards. Trained by Ollie Bray for June McGuire, Lima Rose got the better of Legit News by a half-length in 28.79.

A POWERFUL DISPLAY FROM JACK

Moneygall Jack was an impressive winner of the third race, in turn setting a strong standard in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne A2 Dual Distance.

Eddie Ryan’s son of Droopys Sydney and Bull Run Beam was only fourth into the turn behind Tecatito but flew down the back straight to improve his position.

When Tecatito ran very wide off the final bend, Moneygall Jack was already looking a likely winner but he took his opportunity with glee. Powering home, Moneygall Jack ran out a ready four length winner over Unvetted in 31.31.

LYLA TAKES THE BEND

Zaconey Lyla and Abbeyville Meg had a great tussle in the opening heat although the outcome of the race was decided in the final twenty five yards into the bend.

Abbeyville Meg led for much of the run up but Zaconey Lyla forced her way past her rival into and on the corner.

This was to prove decisive. Abbeyville Meg chased hard throughout but Zaconey Lyla always had her at arm’s length. Tadgh Comerford’s daughter of Laughil Blake and Zaconey Belle went on to hit the line with two lengths to spare in 31.43.  

ZEUS STRIKES DOWN OPPOPNENTS

Kilcolgan Zeus produced a wonderfully professional display to win the A1 fifth race over 550yds for Karen Geoghegan and Neilus O’Connell.

Flashing from traps, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Razldazl Valerie was never going to be picked up. Templeville Mia was his nearest rival throughout but Kilcolgan Zeus ran right to the line to win by three lengths in a useful 29.79. 

KING REIGNS

Minutes later, Carmac King also won from trap five over the 550yd trip, leading on the turn to emerge a good winner for Owen McKenna and Timmy Carmody.

Da Quiet Syd also went up fast to dispute the lead but Carmac King drove the corner to move to the head of affairs. Once doing so, it was all one-way traffic. Carmac King went on to beat da Quiet Syd by two lengths in 29.86.

BEN TAKES HIS CHANCE

Noirs Ben (Good News/ Noirs Lottie) came in as a reserve into the A1 fourth race and took his opportunity in fine fashion.

Maireads Best set a strong gallop for much of the way but Noirs Ben was always in the leader’s wing mirrors before pouncing off the final turn.

Trained by Shaun Conway for the Ponies To Pups Syndicate, Noirs Ben ran on well to emerge a two length winner over the early pace-setter in 28.66.  

RUSSMUR TOO SLICK IN OPENER

Jeremiah Murphy’s Russmur Special was too slick for his rivals in the opener as he posted a very useful 28.69 from the front.

The Stephen Dunne trained son of Droopys Sydney and paradise Abbey made all, cutting off the persistent Templeville Mia between the last two bends to come home two and a half lengths to the good.