FAIRY AND WRIGGLE SHINE AT NEWBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Just one spot separated brilliant semi-final winners Fairy Footsteps and Droopys Wriggle in the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced 525 at Newbridge on Friday night.

The action only highlighted the incredible talent on show in the competition, which has become so important since it was introduced to the calendar.

PLENTY OF WIGGLE ROOM

It was Denis Cronin’s Droopys Wriggle that went slightly faster when winning the second heat and despite her exceptional winning time, she left room for improvement.

The Robert Gleeson trained daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Charm was actually slowly into stride from an inside draw but she flew up the fence to challenge on the corner.

She edged off the rail at this point, taking a bump in the process, but emerged in front. Barefoot On Song slipped around second but the leader unleashed a potent burst of back straight pace to put the result beyond doubt.

Maintaining a merciless gallop to the line, Droopys Wriggle emerged a facile eight length scorer in a brilliant 28.23. Barefoot On Song was second with Ballinabola Emma taking third a further length back. This was the first time the winner saw real daylight and the pace and strength she displayed was simply awesome. She I clearly destined to be a star.

FAIRY FLIES AGAIN

The same can probably be said for the first three home in the opening heat.

Early speed is the most potent weapon a racing greyhound can possess and that is certainly the case with Fairy Footsteps.

Crafty Bondi was sent off an odds-on favourite to continue an incredible start to her career but luck wasn’t on her side. The same can be said for Rossa Ella but both bitches lost nothing in defeat behind Fairy Footsteps.

For the second week running, Fairy Footsteps improved on the clock. A consistent starter, she clocked a 0.98 sectional for the third week running to lead the field into the bend. Once doing so, her rivals were always facing a near-impossible task.

Crafty Bondi and Rossa Ella both found traffic and Fairy Footsteps capitalised. Representing Michael Flynn, Willie Rigney and Keith Allsop, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Enable was wonderfully fluent throughout as she coasted home four lengths clear in a rapid 28.24. Behind the winner, both Crafty Bondi and Rossa Ella found traffic on the bend but flew from halfway to grab second and third.

Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced 525

Final Draw

1 BAREFOOT ON SONG

2 FAIRY FOOTSTEPS

3 DROOPYS WRIGGLE

4 ROSSA ELLA

5 BALLINABOLA EMMA (M)

6 CRAFTY BONDI (M)