SPECIAL LIVES UP TO HER NAME IN THE DUBLIN RAIN

SPECIAL LIVES UP TO HER NAME IN THE DUBLIN RAIN

Ian Fortune

Weather conditions were far from ideal at Shelbourne Park on Friday night but the track stood up extremely well to the elements and there were some superb displays including that of Bombay Special and Gallant Princess as they took the two finals up for decision.

Bombay Special displayed superb track craft and pace to win the final of the Upcoming Bernard Barry Xmas Oaks A2. After a moderate start she flew into the turn to race prominently but had to show great pace to get past the favourite Cosmic View at halfway.

Kicking clear, Jack Ryan’s daughter of Dromana Bucko and Tory Aria went on to win by three and a half lengths, posting 28.95 on a track conservatively rated .30 slow. Cosmic View was second. The winner, who is trained by Graham Holland, has the potential to be a star and is certainly one to keep an eye on going forward.  

PRINCESS GOES FAST

Gallant Princess was also impressive in the final of the Upcoming Winter Racing Festival A1 525, showing fine pace throughout to lead her rivals standing.

Holding a narrow advantage into the bend, she began to turn the screw as they entered the back straight.

Ollie Bray’s daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva ran right away to eventually win by seven lengths from Highview Buddy in 29.06 (-30). 

A PERFECT FOUR FOR BUTTON

Button It continued the perfect start to his career when going fastest in the semi-finals of the WRF A1 (NB) 525 as he came home clear in the second heat in 29.02 (-30).

Trained By Robert Gleeson for Tony Roche, the well-bred son of Droopys Flytline and Up The Style made the most of his inside draw to lead around the corner.

There was traffic for many of those in pursuit and he quickly drove into a clear advantage. Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, he brought his record to four wins from four career starts, seeing off Esmonde Joe by five lengths.

SAPPHIRE SHINES

Magical Sapphire justified favouritism to set the standard in the semi-finals of the Winter Racing Festival A1 600.

Pat Guilfoyle’s powerhouse was prominent to the turn before moving on as they entered the back straight.

Th daughter of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Mags eased on to emerge a pretty straightforward four length winner over Bartlemy Mainoo in 32.95.

WILLOW LEADS LATE

Wreck It Willow took the opening heat, staying on strongly to get the better of the long-time pace-setting duo of Pennys Wildpoppy and Newinn Benni.

Trained by Gearoid O’Brien for the Seasoned Scammers Syndicate, Wreck It Willow powered up the run in to beat Pennys Wildpoppy by a shorthead in 33.28.   

BRIAN TAKES HIS CHANCE

Slippery Brian won the opening heat in 29.39 (-30).

Pirate Polly led but was challenged around the third and fourth turns by Burgess Edward. As the pair clashed, Slippery Brian took advantage. Staying on well in the wet conditions, Larry Dunne’s son of Ballymac Cashout and Old Treasure came through to win by a half length from Pirate Polly. In victory, he completed a double for Graham Holland, who had earlier won with Low Profile. 

MIND DOMINATES

Both heats of the Winter Racing Festival A2 525 went the way of the runner in the blue jacket.

Mind Your Mind displayed fine early speed in the opening heat, going clear for Shaun Conway and owners Ian Harris and Francis Foran. The son of Ballymac Bolger and Shes Made It dominated to win by three lengths from Highview Meg in 29.22 (-30).

A GALLANT RUN ROM PRINCE

Gallant Prince had to work a little harder in the second heat.

Owned jointly by Ollie Bray and Leonard Kinsella, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Bob charged into the third turn to take over before easing away to beat Highview Air by a length and a half in 29.20 (-30).

PROFILE IMPRESSES IN OPENER

Low Profile made a wonderful start to his Shelbourne Park career when running out a decisive trap to line winner of the opener, an Open 575yd contest.

Trained by Graham Holland for the R-T and C Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Crafty Jayko was always in control despite both Durrow Star and Town Lucky finishing fast to close on the run in. Low Profile emerged a length scorer over Durrow Star in 31.37, which given the conditions was very fast indeed.