A WILD RUN FROM MONGY
Ian Fortune
There was plenty of sweepstake action at Shelbourne Park on Friday night ahead of the Winter Racing Festival in less than a week from now and, while there were many fine displays, the star of proceedings was Mongys Wild for the all-conquering Graham Holland.
Running in the semi-finals of Winter Racing Festival Novice 750 and posted a rapid 41.17 in the style of a greyhound with a big future over six bends. Ballymac Wendy made a flying to start to dictate for much of the way in the opening semi-final but Mongys Wild was always in her slipstream.
Owned by the MWD Partnership, the son of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze powered into the fifth turn to join and head the long-time leader before pulling away to score by eight lengths. Faradays Megan stayed on well to take third, a length further adrift.
CAILIN COMES THROUGH
The second heat was a four-dog affair and Pennys Cailin proved too strong for long-time leader Radical Scoby.
Representing Rosemary and Eugene Price, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballycowen Lucy took charge from Radical Scoby at the fifth turn before going on to win by five lengths in 41.57. Valinor was a long way back in third.
CARBINE POWERS TO THE FRONT
Thats It Jack and Droopys Carbine both impressed in the semi-finals of the Winter Racing Festival A1 550. Droopy Carbine took the opening heat for Pat Kiely and owners Mike Kiely and Michael Ryan in 29.83.
The son of Droopy Jet and Droopys Pickles flew into the third turn to move past Headinthewindow before going on to beat Ballydarley Jack by two lengths with Headinthewindow another length adrift in third.
JACK TAKES CHARGE IN CLOSING YARDS
Thats It Jack got up in the final stride in the second heat. Daraghs Sydney looked the most likely winner when taking control on the bend but he failed to contain Thats It Jack.
Trained by Pat Guilfoyle for Liam Cahill and Tony Lacey, Thats It Jack was third down the back straight before charging home to win by a neck in 29.66.
DESIRE LOOKS THE PART
Lennies Desire produced a really promising display to win the opening semi-final of the Winter Racing Festival A1 (NB) 525. The Paul Hennessy trained son of Signet Ace and Free From Desire was a close third behind Toolmaker Quick into the turn but lost ground when forced to check wide at the second turn.
Only fourth approaching halfway, he suddenly began to move through the gears at halfway. Going third into the penultimate bend, he moved second between the last two bends before setting sail for home. Toolmaker Quick was still in front as they turned for home but Lennies Desire flew up the straight to lead on the line. Lee Craze’s exciting tracker ran out a half length winner in a quick 28.41. There seems no doubt the winner will go onto bigger things in the future.
DEAR ME DOMINATES
Fifteen minutes later, Dear Me made every inch in the second semi for Laurence Jones.
The son of Premier Fantasy and Dear Oh Dear would eventually emerge a six length scorer over Aayamza Sonny in 28.55.
SHAY TOO STRONG
Daniel Kerr’s Coolavanny Shay was a good winner of the opening semi-final, coming through to beat the long-time pace-setter Jetara.
Second from the outset, the Michael Taggart trained son of Malachi and Geelo Celticgold slipped up the inside of Jetara around the last bend to hit the line a length and a half to the good in 28.66.
CLAN FIRES FROM THE FRONT
Cloverfield Clan was a comfortable winner of the second heat for Murt Leahy and owners Gavin Nolan and Thomas Maher.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Saga was always in charge before seeing off Maximilian by four lengths in 28.68.
BRIDGES BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Black Bridges may have a litter on the ground but it didn’t stop her from emerging a determined winner of the opener, the first semi-finals of the WRF Shelbourne Regulars A2 525.
Fastest into stride, Barry and Matthew Caul’s daughter of Ballymac Best and Killeen Princess led the field into the back but was headed by Stuie Griffin before rallying to lead late for a short head success in 28.87.
AKI TAKES CHARGE AT THIRD
Barry Clancy sent out Coonough Aki to win the second semi. Despite turning only third, the son of King Elvis and Coonough Dolly had the pace to challenge and head both Lego Charlie and the challenging Airmount Sky at the third turn.
It was a decisive move. Coonough Aki would go on to beat the staying on Coolavanny Story by a length and a half in 29.06.