JOEY SETS THE PACE IN NATIONAL PUPPY
Ian Fortune
Lemon Joey was a brilliant winner of his opening round heat in the IGOBF National uppy Stake at Shelbourne Park on Friday night, further enhancing his already lofty reputation.
All three heats were won in fine style with flying females Shebetheone and Hopes Kitty also impressing but the headlines had to go to Lemon Joey as he came home clear in a rapid 28.15.
JOEY LOOKS A REAL PROSPECT
Lemon Joey was hugely impressive in the second heat, showing superior pace to his rivals to put the result to bed into the third turn.
Razldazl Myway broke fastest but was soon joined and briefly headed by Lemon Joey as they hit the turn.
Lemon Joey steered a middle to wide path, allowing Razldazl Myway to again hold a narrow advantage but it was short lived. Showing big pace down the back straight, Lemon Joey quickly asserted before easing further clear after halfway.
Trained by Murt Leahy for Billy O’Keeffe, the son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana would power home four lengths clear in a rapid 28.15. Romeo Empire ran on strongly to take second with Razldazl Myway just a length away.
SHE IS THE RIGHT ONE
Shebetheone set the tone in the opening heat showing real pace, determination and strength to get up in the closing yards to deny Ballymac Eli and Fun In the Run.
Shebetheone actually broke fastest to lead in the opening yards but Ballymac Eli flew into the turn to take charge.
He was closely followed by Fun In the Run but neither could ultimately get far enough ahead of Shebetheone. Owned by Kate and Leo Dunphy, the daughter of Ballymac Wild and Whitings Gift flew into the third turn to close on the leaders before making her move on the run for home.
Staying on better than her duelling rivals, Shebetheone hit the front under the shadow of the post to win by a half length in 28.42. Ballymac Eli would take second with Fun Inthe Run another three parts of a length back in third.
KITTY PURRS FROM THE FRONT
Amanda Jeal’s Hopes Kitty (Tullig Cyrname/ Nice Mystery) took the final heat in more straightforward fashion to the other opening round winners, breaking smartly from three to make every inch despite a spirited effort from the eye-catching Untold Rufiyaa.
The Pat Buckley trained Hopes Kitty hit the corner a couple of lengths clear of Untold Rufiyaa and maintained her lead to the third turn. It was from here that the pursuing Untold Rufiyaa started to draw closer, as did Droopys Deploy.
In a tremendous finish, Untold Rufiyaa made his move just millimetres off the fence but Hopes Kitty is strong and she ran right to the line to hold on by a neck in 28.39. Droopys Deploy would finish three lengths further adrift.
A BOOST FOR BANTER BACKERS
There was €2,200 on offer to the winner of the Upcoming Winter Racing Festival A2 Dual Distance and Banter Boost followed up his impressive semi-final success to come home in front for Owen McKenna and Peader and Sarah O’Dwyer.
Ballymac Marcia was sent off the odds-on favourite but walked from traps and never played a part in the early stages before running on for third. Ini contrast, Old Tricks went up fast along the fence to take them along.
His fate was sealed when Banter Boost turned second, however. Charging into the third turn, Banter Boost slipped up the fence to take charge. From there the son of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze drew on to eventually win by seven and a half lengths from Available in 32.62 for the 600yd trip.