SHELBOURNE WORTH THE WAIT ON SATURDAY

Ian Fortune

It may have been a low-key Saturday night card at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night but there was still plenty to entertain those that ventured to the Ringsend venue, including three wonderful sweepstake deciders.

All three were won in fine style but the victory of Hackney Shorts must get special mention as she dug very deep to land the €1,750 Parade Jackets A1 Dual Distance decider. The Dee Barry trained daughter of Ballymac Inspeed and Piece By Piece led into the turn but was under severe pressure from Innfield Destiny as they hit the second turn.

With the latter going to the front, it seemed as though the race was over as a contest but in the warm conditions, the new leader seemed to tire on the run in. In contrast, the Hackney Boys Syndicate owned Hackney Shorts was only getting going.

Showing real strength and desire on the run in, the July ’23 whelp went back to the front to eventually emerge a much deserved three parts of a length winner over the fast-finishing Town Lucky in 31.45.

MICROCHIP PROCESSING WELL

Things were a little more straightforward in the other finals.

Mary Clarke’s Microchip was dominant in the final of the Sporting Press A2/A3 525, leading from the early yards. The son of Droopys Sydney and Clona Skye would soon move clear before coasting home a comfortable four length winner over Roscomroe Rusty in 28.90.

NOTHING QUIET ABOUT PATCH

Da Quiet Patch won in very similar fashion.

The strong running son of Good News and Saoirse Mo Croi was a rather generous looking 4-1 at the off but he soon rewarded those that stayed loyal to him. Patrick Kehoe’s powerful galloper flashed from four and was never under a moment’s pressure. Shooting clear to halfway, he would emerge a facile six length winner over the staying on Magical Poppet in 28.66.

BIG RUN FROM JOKER

Elsewhere on the card, Keelans Joker produced a big run to win the A0 550 eighth race.

Representing Phil Gough, Andrea Mulcahy and Keelan Ryan, the hugely versatile son of Good Cody and Lemon Pheobe, who was a recent Corn Cuchulainn finalist, flashed from three and never saw a rival. Raxldazl Kamaria gave chase throughout but Keelans Joker pulled right away in the latter stages to eventually cross the line five and a half lengths clear in 29.71.