INCREDIBLE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS FOR MAGIC MOFO
Ian Fortune
Wednesday’s Time Greyhound Nutrition Dundalk International produced one of the great finishes in the long history of the famous invitation with Raha Mofo further securing her standing as one of the finest females of this century with an unlikely success as she came from lengths behind to deny Ballinabola Ed in an epic encounter.
This was the most incredible contest with so much happening from the opening stride. With the exception of Ballymac Whispa, who walked from traps, the connections of each of the remaining challengers can all feel a little unlucky in the €20,000 to the winner invitation.
UK raider Cochise showed in front at traps and led in the early yards. In contrast, the hot favourite Ballinabola Ed walked from traps before powering into the turn. He was still a length behind the leaders at this point and was forced wide, losing further ground.
Instead, Brookside Richie went up fast from the middle to hold a narrow advantage on the bend. Cutting across Cochise at this point, he set off a chain of events that would shape the remainder of the contest.
With Cochise left short of room at the turn, and not knowing his way around the track, he checked wide, bumping into the prominent Bobsleigh Dream. The pair clashed again between the opening two bends, bumping into the wide running Ballinabola Ed at the same time.
The favourite rode the bump well but was left with a mountain to climb as Brookside Richie skipped into a commanding advantage by the second turn. More importantly, Raha Mofo showed great balance and track craft to skip around the entangled Cochise and Bobsleigh Dream to move third.
THE RACE TAKES SHAPE
When they finally straightened up into the back straight.
Brookside Richie was four lengths to the good over Ballinabola Ed with Raha Mofo a further three and a half lengths back in third. The stage was now set for a grandstand finish.
Ballinabola Ed flew into the third turn to sit just a length and a half behind the leader, while Raha Mofo was still three lengths adrift but beginning to move through the gears. To those in the packed grandstand, it seemed likely that Ballinabola Ed would move straight past Brookside Richie on the run in for another big race success.
Brookside Richie was proving a tough nut to crack, however. He dug in up front, forcing Ballinabola Ed to wait for his moment. When switching wide to launch his challenge, it left the inside of the track open for the now advancing Raha Mofo.
AN ADVANCING MOFO
Suddenly, the brilliant 2022 Oaks champion and reigning Bitch of the Year was in full flight and challenging the leaders.
Ballinabola Ed and Raha Mofo both powered past Brookside Richie inside the final fifty yards, the pair going nose to nose to the line.
In a truly epic finish, Raha Mofo had her nose down at the right time. Both she and Ballinabola Ed had run their heart pout, as had the UK’s Brookside Richie but this night belonged to the brilliant Raha Mofo.
The Murt Leahy trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Clares Queen emerged a short head scorer over Ballinabola Ed in 29.98. Brookside Richie was just a length and three parts further adrift in third.
It was just the most amazing race. Cochise wasn’t far away in fourth and could have been oh so closer had he stayed tight to the fence on the bend. Bobsleigh Dream was fifth but that doesn’t tell the full story. She was disputing second on the corner only to have her chance taken away from her by Cochise.
William Rigney presents the trophy to Marissa Molloy after Raha Mofo won the final of the 2023 Time Dundalk International and John Fox presents a replica trophy to Stephen Molloy. Also included are Leon Blanch Chief Commercial Officer GRI, Derek Frehill Director Of Racing GRI, Pat Herbert GRI, Shane Rigney Time, trainer Murt Leahy, handler Stephen Dunne and Leo McAuley Chairman Dundalk Track.
Pic: Imelda Grauer
REACTION AND FUTURE PLANS
Connections of the front three all gave their reaction.
Marissa and Stephen Molloy were buoyant after the race. So too was Murt Leahy and they confirmed that she would be targeted at the Derby, although that could change if she comes in season.
Pat Buckley was disappointed but proud of his charge, Ballinabola Ed. He suggested you can’t afford to give them a start from a tricky draw wide but felt ED ran a huge race in defeat. He will now be targeting the Derby.
And Jimmy Fenwick was absolutely delighted with how Brookside Richie ran. He teased that he could have gone for the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup but they’ve decided against it but is seriously considering a crack at the Boylesports Derby at Shelbourne Park. He would be welcomed with open arms.