WONDERFUL ACTION AS GOLD CUP CONTINUES

    WONDERFUL ACTION AS GOLD CUP CONTINUES

    Ian Fortune

    The Tote Gold Cup continued at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and Carrick Aldo sent out a loud and pretty emphatic warning that he has his sights set on further big race glory, posting a stunning fastest of the round 28.25 on a track that was rated .15 slow.

    Seven Beach lost nothing in defeat behind Carrick Aldo, while Hawkfield Blue was the fastest of the remaining heat winners, getting up late to win in 28.39. Kerogue Lady and Phoenix Memphis also secured a semi-final place with victory.

    AWESOME ALDO

    Carrick Aldo and Seven Beach dominated the market ahead of the final heat with the later going to traps the 4-6 favourite, although it was soon clear he was facing a tough test.

    Carrick Aldo exploded from the outside box, in contrast to Seven Beach who missed a step.

    It was soon evident Carrick Aldo was on his way to a tremendous victory. Thomas Glynn’s star flew into the bend with Seven Beach on his heels. The verdict was put beyond any doubt at this point with Seven Beach forced to check off the turn, losing further ground on the pace-setter.

    They remained in that order throughout with the David Murray trained son of Droopys Sydney and Minnies Hazel going on to beat Seven Beach by three lengths. Da Bold Falcon flew home to finish the same distance away in third.

    BLUE LANDS LATE TO SCORE

    Jery Connors’ Hawkfield Blue seemed destined to play a supporting role to Grangeclare Lady in Heat 3 but track conditions were a little tougher than normal and the latter ran out of steam as she hit the home straight.

    In contrast, Hawkfield Blue continued to run hard, closing with each stride on the fast-starting favourite.

    Hawkfield Blue was in the perfect position to strike after running a superb opening bend to slip around in the shadow of Grangeclare Lady. The Ginger McGee trained son of Good News and Brownstown Tango began to really motor on the run in, getting up to record a half-length victory over Grangeclare Lady in 28.39. 

    KEROGUE LADY SHARPEST

    Untold Rufiyaa was a short favourite for the opening heat but a slow start would end his chances.

    In contrast, Kerogue Lady, who ran a fine race in her opening round defeat, went up fast on the outside of the track to turn in front.

    For owners Ashleigh and Elaine McManus it would have been comfortable viewing thereafter. Is She There and Ballyhooly Bruno did all they could to stay in touch with the latter running on to grab second but Kerogue Lady was not for catching.

    The Pat O’Connor trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Coolavanny Ella held off the late charge of her rival to win by three parts of a length in 28.68. Jim By Two was just a half lengths further back in third.

    MEMPHIS ON TUNE

    The Keogh Cunningham Reilly Syndicate had reason to smile in the second heat with Phoenix Memphis producing a paw-perfect display to dominate.

    Flashing from three, the Ian Reilly trained son of was always in the driving seat.

    After looking short of a run in the opening round, the talented son of Droopys Sydney and Swift Jezebel certainly stripped fitter on this occasion and was never gong to be denied. In Good Time did run on well to come through for second but Phoenix Memphis would hold on by three parts of a length in 28.67. Cheque For Cash also progressed, finishing three lengths further adrift in third.

    JIVER DANCES TO SUCCESS

    There was €1,750 on offer to the winner of the Shelbourne Park Museum A3 (NB) 525 and Droopys Jiver arrived late and fast to emerge a good winner for Murt Leahy and Martin Costigan.

    Pic right: Dylan Brennan Shelbourne Park Racing Manager presents the trophy to Martin Costigan after Droopys Jiver won the Shelbourne Park Museum A3 525.            Pic: Imelda Grauer

    This was an eventful contest with so many of the field challenging at one point or another.

    Highview Buddy led the field around the turn but was a sitting duck. Vine Cottage Lad and Innfield Willow chased hard, while Whirling Wind and Droopys Jiver also began to close. Innfield Willow struck the front on the third turn but Droopys Jiver was now in full stride and he powered home to take over in the latter stages. The son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer would win by a length and a half from the fast-finishing Whirling Wind in 29.40.

    BLACKEYED ENGAGES THE TURBO IN FINALE

    Blackeyed Turbo was at her powerful best in the finale over 575yds, outgunning Droopys Bookem to run out a very impressive winner in 31.07.

    Trained by Kevin Losty for Steve Henry, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Gentle Island broke fastest and edged off from two, leaving the inside free to Droopys Bookem.

    Going to the front before the corner, Droopys Bookem seemed a likely winner but Blackeyed Turbo had other ideas. Showing great pace and strength, she closed and headed the leader soon after the third turn. Once doing so, Blackeyed Turbo shot clear to eventually win by three lengths. Yorkie Ollie also ran on well to take second.

    RAMPANT ROSSA

    Westway Rossa was a brilliant winner of the tenth race on the card, an Open Bitch 550.

    The daughter of Good News and Ballydoyle Rossa has been in tremendous form for Damiam Maginn and Henry Scimia and she claimed an eighth career victory in decisive fashion.

    Drive On Beauty was the odds-on favourite at 4-5 but Westway Rossa was too sharp for her rival, flying from trap two to dominate. Drive On Beauty pressed her hard throughout but Westway Rossa is very talented and she ran right to the line to win by two lengths in 29.78.

    QUARRY BOY IMPRESSES IN A2 COMP

    The semi-finals of the Upcoming Bresbet Easter Cup A2 525 were on the early part of the card and Quarry Boy went fastest in the opening heat for Paula and Maurice Heffernan, showing his rivals a clean pair of heels throughout.

    Not always a fast starter, it was pretty much over as a contest when the son of King Sheeran and Mean Beauty led the field into the back straight. Despite tying up a little, Quarry Boy would go on to beat the staying on Bounceback Chico by a length and a half in 30.22.

    CHICAGO ALWAYS IN CHARGE

    Reggie Roberts’ Old Chicago won the second heat in very similar fashion.

    The son of Droopys Sydney and Zola Princess broke fastest and displayed superior early speed to his rivals to open a clear advantage. It was all one-way traffic thereafter and he would go on to win by three lengths from the staying on La Pepinillo in 30.33.

    A SWIFT RUN FROM ESMONDE

    Racing commenced with a straightforward success for Esmonde Swift as he made all to win an A1 575 for the Back In The Game Syndicate.

    The son of Ballymac Bolger and Liberty Marie was never really threatened as he emerged a facile three length winner over the fast-finishing Regimental in 31.42.

    BRIGADIER MARCHES HOME

    The fifth race on the card was a messy affair with 2-5 favourite Brockagh Justine forcing her way to the front on the bend, causing the remainder to find traffic.

    Brigadier Hank was a bad last into the turn after a slow start but he suddenly found himself in second and made the most of his opportunity.

    Owned by the Cut Bush Six Syndicate, the son of Glencorbry Pat and Pennys Mulan quickly bridged the gap to the leader before running straight by. From there Brigadier Hank would emerge a comfortable four length winner over the staying on Droopys Bro in 29.43.