BUSTER AND TURBO INSEPARABLE ON CLOCK IN NOVICE DASH

Ian Fortune

 

There may have been some notable non-runners in the second round of the Shelbourne Park ON1 Novice Dash on Thursday evening but both Gougane Buster and Jacktavern Turbo impressed in their respective heats, clocking an identical 18.73. 

Crossfield Ed was fastest into stride in the opening heat but couldn’t answer the challenge of James Kelly’s Gougane Buster. The son of Newinn Taylor and Allowdale Coco shot up the outside of the field to assert on the bend.

Once doing so, the July ’23 whelp raced clear of his rivals to eventually come home five lengths clear of the running-on Shallee Dooda. There was a half-length back to Crossfield Ed in third.

TURBO POWERED FINISH

Fifteen minutes later, Jacktavern Turbo had too much ammunition for Knockeen Aliya on the long run to the winning line.

The latter was one of the more impressive opening round scorers and she again stood out as the one to beast when flashing from trap two to dictate early.

Jacktavern Turbo was always close enough to challenge, however. Trained by David Byrne for the Pillar Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Lilly would set his sights on the leader as they turned for home. In a driving finish, Jacktavern Turbo closed with each stride to finally get up on the line to score by a head in 18.73. Crossfield Roman was best of the remainder, a further four and a half lengths adrift. The winner looks certain to appreciate a step up to four bend in the near future.