IM HERE LOOKS SPECIAL IN PUPPY DERBY ROMP
Ian Fortune
Im Here gave further notice on Saturday night that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with going forward as he captured the Time Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby in the style of a real champion.
Shelbourne Park welcomed a big crowd and those present were treated to some exceptional racing but Im Here was the undoubted star of proceedings as he began to repay the faith shown in him by his handler Peter Cronin and owner, Hall of Fame member Aidan Comerford.
COLEY SENT OFF FAVOURITE
In the absence of Razldazl Loreal from two, the layers put in Kapuka Coley as the favourite to land the €25,000 prize.
The Karol Ramsbottom trained star was sent off a 9-4 chance ahead of his kennel companion Slick Sanctuary and the eventual winner Im Here, both of which were returned at 10-3.
Ballymac Scheff was next at 4-1 with Fahrenheit Ace the biggest priced runner in the line up at 5-1, highlighting the open nature of the contest.
A DOMINANT DISPLAY
But despite how open it seemed on paper, this was over as a contest within a matter of strides.
Fahrenheit Ace came away well from three but Im Here was at his very sharpest on the outside of the track. Breaking fast, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Clona Skye was in front from the first stride and he displayed massive early speed to better Fahrenheit Ace into the bend.
Behind the front two, Kapuka Coley sat third with Ballymac Scheff a close fourth. Slick Sanctuary stumbled from traps and was detached within a couple of strides.
Im Here hit the turn with a length in hand but as he edged across to the fence, he increased his lead with Fahrenheit Ace checking his stride slightly. Kapuka Coley moved second but Im Here hit the back straight with three lengths in hand.
It soon became four lengths and by halfway it was clear those in behind were running for minor honours. Im Here was relentless, posting a stunning 15.73 to the third turn and maintaining his merciless gallop to the line.
Kapuka Coley continued to run hard in second but Im Here would claim a first classic success by four and a half lengths in a sizzling 27.97. Behind Kapuka Coley, Ballymac Scheff finished fast to take third, a further length adrift.
There seems little doubt that Im Here is a rapidly developing youngster and his performance was clear evidence he could be very special. There seems no doubt he will improve for the step up to 550 yards and he will likely to aimed at the Derby for which he must be seen as a leading contender.
Sponsor Shane Rigney presents the trophy to Aidan Comerford Snr after Im Here won The Time Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby, also included are handler Michael Cronin - son of trainer Peter Cronin, RM Dylan Brennan and John, Daniel, Charlie and Jack Comerford. Pic: Imelda Grauer
Undercard
POWERFUL RUN FROM PORTER
There was an impressive €3,000 on the line in the final of the Time Record Breaker Open Maiden 550 decider and Droopys Porter took another big step forward in his young career to emerge a tremendous winner for Bary Clancy and Graham Ashe.
The son of Dromana Bucko and Droopys Cake had shown plenty in his previous outings, but this was comfortably his most complete display. Flashing from three, he was in charge from the outset. Lennies Jamesmac and Croydon Avenger went in chase although neither could land a glove on the leader. Maintaining a superb gallop throughout, Droopys Porter hit the line two and a half lengths clear of Croydon Avenger in a quick 29.35. It’s also worth noting that Droopys Porter broke the 17 second barrier to the third turn, clocking a sizzling 16.98.
LAD TOO SHARP IN DUAL DISTANCE DECIDER
The final of the TIME Greyhound 28 Dual Distance was the fifth race on the card and Brayview Lad displayed fine early speed to get loose into the bend. Hot favourite Grouchos Frank turned on his heels, but Brayview Lad (Orchestrate/ Highview Jewel) was in determined humour.
Containing his rival into the third turn, he was allowed increase his lead at this point with Grouchos Frank and Highview Excel bumping in second and third. Brayview Lad had things easy thereafter. Trained by Gerry Merriman for Conor and Edmund Nugent, Brayview Lad coasted home for a comfortable five and a half-length verdict over Croydon Web in 31.33.
MAJOR PRODUCES SOME 600YD MAGIC
Magical Major got proceedings off to an incredible start, posting a sensational 31.88 for the 600yd trip. Breaking smartly, he quickly moved to the front, leading Low Profile around the turn before making every inch thereafter for Pat Guilfoyle.
The son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary was having his first start over the 600yd trip but stayed right to the line to win by two lengths from a persistent Low Profile. In victory, Magical Major became the second fastest greyhound ever to cover the extended trip at the Dublin venue with only track record holder Da Bold Falcon (31.72) ever going faster.
A SHOOTING STAR
Later on the card, Waitingforastar produced a big run over 550yds to complete a double for Pat Guilfoyle.
Sandra Guilfoyle’s son of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy was the 6-4 favourite for a Maiden Open 550 and he displayed huge pace and power to again highlight his obvious ability.
Droopys Monk displayed fine early speed to get loose into the bend but Waitingforastar shook off some early crowding to turn second. Closing fast into the third turn, the favourite was forced to check his stride but quickly recovered before rounding Droopys Monk on the run in. Powering home, Waitingforastar went on to win by two and a half lengths in 29.50.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY FROM LENNIES
Lennies Dynamic will be amongst a strong Derby team for Paul Hennessy and the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Pennys Jetstream produced a massive run in the finale over 550yds to remind the Shelbourne faithful of his huge talent.
Lennies Dynamic was one of the last to hit the ground but his acceleration into the corner was hugely impressive. Shooting past his rivals into the bend, he was left clear when many of his rivals clashed. Blastoff Heffo emerged form the pack to give chase but Lennies Dynamic was electric.
Despite his slow start, the Cocoman Lee Ash Syndicate owned Lennies Dynamic posted a rapid 17.04 to the third turn before going on to win by seven lengths in 29.37.
RANGER SUPERB ON COMEBACK
2025 Kirby Memorial champion Faypoint Ranger hadn’t been seen since winning at the Winter Racing Festival in November but made a successful return for Graham Holland and Patricia Flanagan in the sixth race.
In a contest packed with early speed, Faypoint Ranger sent out a reminder that he is as sharp as any greyhound in training. Displaying huge dash into the bend, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Carefree Tipp quickly moved to the front before taking the opening bend pretty comfortably.
Talented youngster Ballymac Hitman rode a bump on the bend to turn second and closed to the line but Faypoint Ranger wasn’t going to be denied on his comeback and he held off Ballymac Hitman and Berlin Trilogy by a head and a length in 28.39.
MIAMI WINS BY A STREET
Some talented trackers were in action in the fourth race on the card but Miami Hans turned into something of a procession for owners Noel McSweeney and Paschal Taggart.
Trained by Garry Dempsey, the son of Ballymac Kingdom and Break The Best was only third into the turn but forced his way into second before taking over at the head of affairs early in the back straight from Kereight Pimple.
Toolmaker King got the better of the latter to go second at the third turn, but Miami Hans was on a march. Pulling right away, Miami Hans emerged a very easy seven and a half-length winner over the staying on Droopys Winsome in 29.60.
SUSIE FASTEST IN DOLLS DUAL DISTANCE
The semi-finals of the Two Steps to Victory Open Dolls Dual Distance were early on the card and Maireads Susie went fastest when coming home in front in the second heat. Rapido Ivy forced her way to the front early in this contest but lost her action passing halfway.
Maireads Susie was challenging at this point and immediately went to the front. Once doing so, the in-form daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire was never going to be picked up despite the best efforts of Silent Noelle and Bombay Special.
Trained by Fraser Black for Joe Horan, Maireads Susie ran on well to beat Silent Noelle by two lengths in 28.33.
MEL TAKES HER OPPORTUNITY
The Jennifer O’Donnell trained The Other Mel (Grangeview Ten/ Scooby Duchess) mistimed the start slightly but displayed fine early speed to challenge on the corner.
She stayed wide of her rivals, who bunched up slightly on the inner, leaving The Other Mel to take control as they hit the back straight.
Bockos Sapphire emerged from the pack and looked a serious threat through the reminder of the contest but The Other Mel, owned by the Born Wild Syndicate, was gutsy and dug deep to contain her rival by a half-length in 28.60.