WIGGLE GETS ROOM TO LAND BROWNSTOWN TANGO UNRACED

Ian Fortune

Droopys Wriggle was a tremendous winner of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525 at Newbridge on Friday night with the Robert Gleeson trained star certainly timed her challenge to perfection.

After losing her first two assignments in the stake, Denis Cronin’s daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Charm was a brilliant semi-final scorer in a sensational 28.23 before following up on the night that mattered to land the €6,500 prize.

FAIRY LEADS EARLY

After showing terrific early speed through the competition, Fairy Footsteps was installed the 6-4 favourite to come out on top and she produced yet another flying start to lead the field into the opening bend.

In contrast, Droopys Wriggle came away with the pack but what was to follow gave notice she is going to be a star in 2024 and beyond. More than a length down on Fairy Footsteps as they hit the line, she displayed awesome pace into the turn to join and shoot across Fairy Footsteps on the bend. 

Despite getting clipped in the process of taking charge, Droopys Wriggle quickly recovered her momentum to lead the field into the back straight. Fairy Footsteps also recovered quickly, regaining second spot off Barefoot On Song, while many of the remainder also attempted to regain their stride after meeting traffic.

WRIGGLE GALLOPS ON

Displayed huge back straight pace, Droopys Wriggle stretched on to halfway, perhaps aided by the fact that Fairy Footsteps got a slight bump on the fence from Barefoot On Song.

It was now all very straightforward out front.

Maintaining a relentless gallop to the line, Droopys Wriggle emerged a sensational winner. Crafty Bondi again displayed massive pace and power to come through for second spot but was never going to worry the leader. Droopys Wriggle hit the line two lengths to the good in 28.64.

A SPECIAL FIELD

Crafty Bondi was second with Fairy Footsteps another length and a half adrift in third. Have no doubt, the winner is special.

So too is the runner-up, while Fairy Footsteps and fourth placed finisher Rossa Ella are also right out of the top drawer.

This was without doubt the best field ever assembled in the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525 and those behind the stake should be proud. We can only hope to see the top four clash again in the future, perhaps in the Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne but also the Sporting Press Irish Oaks in the summer. Now that would be a treat.