LENNIES TAKES HEADLINE ON SPECIAL NIGHT IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Shelbourne Park really is the place to be on a Saturday night but even more so at this time of the year and through the summer. The racing at the weekend was of the most exceptional standard and there were many outstanding displays worthy of the headlines but it was perhaps no surprise that they went to Lennies Desire as he again left a talented field standing to emerge as the star turn in the stayers classic, the Donal Beaty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn, coming home clear in the opening semi-final.
DESIRE WITH ANOTHER FLAWLESS EFFORT
A week after posting a sensational second fastest ever 41.01 for the 750yd trip, the brilliant son of Signet Ace and Free From Desire was again almost flawless. There was concern that a rails draw would work against him but he made light work of his task, coming away racing to take control in the early exchanges.
Deerjet Matilda challenged early but Lennies Desire had the inside line in his favour and he quickly put the result beyond doubt. Glengar Silent displayed his awesome four bend pace to emerge as the nearest challenger passing the stands but he was never close enough to really worry the leader.
A proven stayer over the trip, Lennies Desire was never going to be picked up by the six-bend novice in chase. In fact, Ballymac Chantry displayed fine pace and power to come through for second but Lennies Craze was about to provide the in-form combination of lee Craze and Paul Hennessy with another memorable winner.
Maintaining a relentless gallop to the line, Lennies Desire emerged a most impressive three and a half length winner over Ballymac Chantry in a brilliant 41.09. Glengar Silent did little wrong in third, just a length further adrift.
POLLY IS A CRACKER
Singalong Polly had a similar idea to Lennies Desire in the second heat; get to the front and keep on pulling. A classy daughter of Grangeview ten and Mystical Luna, she had simply too much speed for her rival on the opening lap and built a clear advantage.
The favourite Priceless On Ice and Highview Air did show their stamina in the second half of the contest to close but Singalong Polly never looked under any serious pressure. Representing the successful partnership of Pat Buckley and Gilbert Anderson, Singalong Polly emerged a most impressive winner in a rapid 41.20, some four lengths clear of Priceless On Ice with Highview Air another two lengths adrift.
Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn
Final Draw
1 Priceless On Ice
2 Lennies Desire
3 Singalong Polly
4 Highview Air (m)
5 Glengar Silent (m)
6 Ballymac Chantry (w)
Shelbourne Maiden Derby
SLEIGHT OF HAND IMPRESSES IN MAIDEN DERBY
A brilliant front running display saw Sleight Of Hand set the standard in the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby. From an ideal draw on the fence in the second heat, Laurence Jones’ son of Ballymac Cashout and Kilmore Diamond was near-perfect.
Breaking fastest, he held his advantage into the turn despite the best efforts of Harvard Square and made the most of his rails pitch to continue to dictate into the back straight. Two lengths in front as he straightened up, Sleight Of Hand was on his way to a comfortable success.
Harvard Square ran hard into the third turn but faded in the latter stages to allow Sleight Of Hand win by an ever-increasing six lengths in 29.34. Harvard Square held Magical Fiona by a neck.
BULL WINS A TIGHT BATTLE
The opening heat was a far tighter affair with Jacktavern Bull (Droopys Sydney/ Droopys Dancer) coming again in the closing yards to contain Uncle Keith with Ballymac Malinas in third. This was an eventful contest with Jacktavern Bull flashing from traps to lead early.
Old Alaska was second into the bend but Uncle Keith and Ballymac Malinas soon emerged as dangers to the leader. Things really began to heat up down the back straight with little separating the first four at halfway.
Ballymac Malinas displayed the best pace to go between rivals into the third turn to take over at the head of affairs but Jacktavern Bull and Uncle Keith continued to move with purpose.
Turning for home, it was clear Ballymac Malinas wasn’t getting away on his rivals. Jacktavern Bull was now rallying for Michael Taggart and Daniel Kerr, while Uncle Keith was also starting to close.
In a tremendous finish, Jacktavern Bull went back to the front to hold Uncle Keith by a short head in 29.62, while Ballymac Malinas finished just a half length away in third.
Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced
HITMAN GUNS DOWN HIS BROTHER
Ballymac Hitman put a debut defeat behind him in some style to land the opening semi-final of the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced in a brilliant 28.15. Despite a fast start, he failed to dictate into the bend. Instead, his litter brother Anothercupoftea got loose into the bend and set a searing gallop.
Ballymac Hitman did manage to turn second, however, and Liam Dowling’s son of Mcinerney and Ballymac Ariel began to move through the gears passing halfway. indeed, the exciting youngster really flew from the third turn to reel in Anothercupoftea on the run in for a two length verdict.
There was a six length gap top Droopys Teaser in third. There seems little doubt that both the winner and runner-up have the pace to go onto things in the future.
THELMA TAKES HER OPPORTUNITY
The second heat saw Razldazl Thelma pull back the long-time leader Ballymac Pacman for a first career victory in 28.61. Ballymac Pacman was left in front on the turn after Freeway Bruce edged off, taking a bump and losing his balance briefly.
Importantly, Razldazl Thelma found a golden highway up the inside of the track to move a clear second as they entered the back straight. This would play a huge part in the outcome as the strong running daughter of Droopys Scolari and Forest Willow would comfortably reel in the fading Ballymac Pacman. Going to the front on the run in, Razldazl Thelma emerged an easy three length winner. Ballymac Pacman was second with Freeway Bruce just three parts of a length adrift in third.
ELLO ELLO TOO HOT
Ello Ello, trained by Brendan Matthews for the three B’s Syndicate, really appreciated the longer run to the turn in the third race, an Open 575. The talented son of Airmount Nando and Million Dreams has been running in hot company and was a deserving favourite, but needed to show his class in the early yards after Gallant Captain flashed from four.
Ello Ello was soon in full stride, however, and moved past his rival a long way before the turn. It was all one-way traffic theerafter. Magical jet was soon in chase and did his best to keep his rival honest but Ello Ello was not for catching and powered to theline to win by two lengths in a very quick 30.81.
PROFILE SHOWS HIS CLASS
Low Profile appreciated a slight ease in grade in the A0 fourth race, showing fine early speed to get to the front into the bend.
Singalong Cherry was his main market rival and turned second despite taking a bump at boxes but she had no answer to Low Profile once he got on the bunny.
Trained by Graham Holland for the RT& C Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Bvolger and Crafty Jayko raced on to a facile four and a half length victory over Singalong Cherry in a quick 28.18.
JAYKAY FLIES ON RETURN
Kirby Memorial finalist Jaykay Fly hadn’t been seen since withdrawn from the Produce Stakes but he made a successful return in the penultimate race on the card, showing his many qualities to see off a decent field for Paul Hennessy and Carol O’Riordan.
Although far from the fastest into stride, the son of Serene Ace and Flaming Sahara flashed up the fence to lead into the bend. It was a decisive move from the talented tracker as he proceeded to make every inch thereafter for a fine five length victory over Ballymac Scheff in 28.31.
TURBO REELS IN GREEN
Jacktavern Turbo and Colouraregreen battled out in the finish in the finale over 550yds with the former just getting the better of the argument for Pat Buckley and the Pillar Syndicate. Coloursaregreen was on his way back from a short layoff after his withdrawal from the English Derby but looked sharp.
The Gold Cup winner got loose into the bend to lead the field into the back straight. Jacktavern Turbo rode a first bend bump to go second as they hit the back straight, albeit it three lengths behind the pace-setter.
Into the third turn, Jacktavern Turbo began to bridge the gap and he was in a position to challenge by the time they turned for home. Getting up the inside of the leader at this point, the son of Droopys Sydney and Queen Lilly forged his way into the lead to win by a half length in 29.71. It was a fine run buy the winner but also an encouraging one by the runner-up.