TRICKS AND ZARA IMPRESS AT HQ

Ian Fortune

Both the feature races at Shelbourne Park on Friday night came over the 600yd trip and Old Tricks and Dapper Zara were both utterly dominant in their respective assignments.

OLD TRICKS MAKES EVERY INCH

Old Ticks was sent to traps the even money favourite in the final of the This Runs Deep A3/A4 Tri Distance and it was immediately evident he was going to emerge as the one to beat in the €3,000 to the winner contest.

Reggie Roberts’ son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess rocketed from trap four and never saw a rival. Kilcolgancatchme came from a mile off the pace to take second but Old Tricks hit the line some five and a half lengths clear in a useful 32.87. There was a further two length gap to Russmur Shane in third.

ZARA ZIPS CLEAR

Dapper Zara was even more impressive in the final of the Talking Dogs A0/A1 Dual Distance. Sam McQuade’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Designer looked a real prospect when coming home clear on debut last December in a sizzling 28.66.

Since returning in May, she has improved with each start and this latest display was clearly a new high for the talented bitch. Coming away on terms, she displayed superb early speed to assert into the turn before putting the result beyond any doubt to the third turn.

Powering clear, she was always going to the land the €2,200 prize, galloping right to the line to emerge a facile three length winner over Fleadh Rileigh in a fast 32.49. It was a massive run by the winner and one that suggests she will be a star in the future. Fleadh Rileigh did nothing wrong in defeat, while Robbies Galaxy was another three lengths away in third.