LADIES SET STANDARD IN NATIONAL PUPPY

Ian Fortune

Given the success of the fairer sex over the past five years, it should be no surprise that two bitches set the standard in the opening round of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake at Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening with both Scooby Countess and Mustang Fever posting a rapid 28.31.

The Jennifer O’Donnell Scooby Countess was first up, going to traps a 4-6 favourite for the opening heat. It was soon evident the layers had her priced perfectly. Making a fast start from two, she led into the turn, although he was joined down the back straight by Faypoint Sydney.

However, Scooby Countess had the inside line and she made full use of it at the third turn. Asserting again at this point, Steve Noble’s brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Scooby Princess eased right away to eventually hit the line four lengths clear in 28.31. Faypoint Syney was second with Omuircheartaigh another five and a half lengths further back in third.

A FEVER-PICTHED DISPLAY

Not to be outdone, Mustang Fever won in very similar fashion for Pat Guilfoyle and owners Sean Bourke and Paul Horig.

The exciting daughter of Droopys Sydney and Mustang Kay Cee shot from trap four and was in command from the opening stride.

Jim By Two won the battle to turn second but he could never get back on terms despite pressing the leader into the third turn. Once holding her advantage to this point, Mustang Fever put her foot down off the final bend to ease on or a most impressive four and a half lengths verdict in 28.31. Jim By Two held on or second from the fast-advancing Barefoot On Fire.

INCREDIBLE CURLY SHOWS HIS MUSCLE

Clona Curly justified odds-on favouritism in Heat 3, showing real pace and strength from the second turn to force his way to the front.

This was a massive run from the powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Cuckoo.

Caught wide into the turn, he was forced wide and took a couple of hefty bumps. As In Good Time set a strong gallop, Clona Curly found himself a bad fifth as they entered the back straight. He was carrying real momentum, however, and soon moved into second.

Closing rapidly on the leader into the third turn, the Graham Holland trained star had to check his stride between the last two bends as the leader took his racing line but he quickly forced his way through on the inner.

From entering the back straight some six lengths behind the leader, he was now in front off the final turn. It was an exhibition of true power. Kevin O’Brien’s exceptional youngster stayed on well to emerge a two length winner in 28.71. In Good Time was second, four lengths clear of Scooby Pacemaker in third. Have no doubt, the winner is good for many lengths better and is undoubtedly one of the fastest young greyhounds in the land.   

BONNYLAD DOMINATES AGAIN

Just a fortnight after his Paddy Merriman Memorial success, Whyaye Bonnylad is back on the hunt for silverware and he made a successful start to his National Puppy Stake campaign in Heat 4.

Again, early speed was the key to success for the Robert Gleeson trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Drumalee Premier.

Shooting from trap three, Martin Langley’s razor-sharp young tracker made every inch. Despite tiring a little in the closing yards, he saw off the eye-catching Dunanelly Fred by a length in 28.87. The fast-finishing Glengar Elvis was just a neck adrift in third. 

ALF SPRINTS CLEAR

At odds of 1-2, it was certainly no surprise to see the Pillar Syndicate owned Ballinakill Alf emerge a comfortable winner of the sole sprint on the card.

He broke a little faster than last week but still had to work hard to come through the pack into the turn.

Holding a narrow advantage over Zaconey Vulcan on the corner, the son of Pestana and Newinn Madam had to drive the bend to assert. That was no problem to the Graham Holland trained star and once going to the front, he stretched on to beat Zaconey Vulcan by five lengths in 18.55.  

FLYING FINN AT HIS BRILLIANT BEST

2022 Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn was at his brilliant best in the ninth race, showing tremendous early speed to take over into the turn before leaving some talented rivals a long way behind.

Liam Dowing’s brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy was simply different gravy to his rivals as he stretched clear to eventually come home six and a half lengths to the good in a fastest of the night 28.22. Kapuka Warrior was the best of the remainer in second. 

BOLT LIVES UP TO HIS NAME

After suffering his first defeat in ten outings in the Laurels decider, Jacktavern Bolt handed his owners, the Pillar Syndicate, a second win on the night when coming home clear in the penultimate race on the card.

Consolation Laurels winner Rathdown Molly broke fastest to lead in the opening strides but Jacktavern Bolt quickly moved into top gear to shoot up her inner to the turn. Once going to the front, the hugely talented son of Pestana and Newinn Madam was never under any real pressure. 

Staying on well to complete a hat trick for Graham Holland, Jacktavern Bolt saw off Rathown Molly by three lengths in 28.45.

A BREEZE FOR JETSTREAM

Jetstream Breeze was always in the perfect position to strike in the final over 575yds when chasing the pace-setting Ballymac Walt into the back straight.

The latter was always going to struggle to see out the trip, which is not something that can be said for Mike Freshwater’s Jetstream Breeze.

Predictably, the Marie Gilbert trained Jetstream Breeze began to close the gap to the final turn before pouncing on the run in. The son of Droopys Sydney and Aayamza Breeze took over before containing the big finish of Pennys Lynx by a length in 31.17.

SLICK SYD BACK TO WINNING WAYS

After his quarter final exit from the Leger at Limerick, Bobsleigh Syd appreciated a return to the standard trip and emerged a good winner of the second race on the card, showing his trademark early speed to lead from the bend.

The Pat Buckley trained son of Droopys Sydney and Bobsleigh Jet took over from Bymystandard and that was how they would remain. Bobsleigh Syd went on to make every yard thereafter for a three lengths victory over Bymystandard in 28.45.

JET TAKES OFF

After a couple of luckless defeats, Deadly Jet return to winning ways for Karol Ramsbottom and Gary Hannon in the tenth race.

A 4-6 chance ahead of the off, the son of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx chased his litter sister Lets Go Bubbles into the back straight before making his move at the end of the back straight.

Going the wide route, around the early pace-setter, he struck the front before the final turn and went on to see off his litter sister by two lengths in 28.76.

DETERMINED CHIEF COMES OUT ON TOP

Kilcolgan Chief displayed real determination and pluck to win the fourth race for Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghegan.

Making a fast start from the inside box, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Razldazl Valerie set the pace into the back straight but had to give way to the advancing Resurgan into the third turn.

Kilcolgan Chief was far from done with, however.

Staying tight to the fence off the final turn, Kilcolgan Chief rallied to join and head his rival on the run before going on cross the line a length and a half to the good in 28.74.

CLEVER TRACKER IS JACK

Tracker Jack opened proceedings with a fine victory for Owen McKenna and John and Michael Byrne.

A well bred son of Skywalker Canny and Skywalker Rossa, Tracker Jack was third into the turn but forced his way through on the fence to take over at this point.

He was never headed thereafter, despite the best efforts of One Love, and eventually crossed the line with a length and a half in hand on his rival in 28.93.