KNEGARE AND FAITHFUL SHINE BRIGHT IN EASTER CUP
Ian Fortune
The stage is set for a fascinating conclusion to the Shelbourne Park Bookmakers Easter Cup after two memorable semi-finals on Saturday night which went the way of Callaway Knegare and Droopys Faithful.
There was a great crowd on hand at Shelbourne Park and they were treated to some exceptional racing but the undoubted standout performances came in the Easter Cup with Callaway Knegare stealing the headlines with a back-to-form display in the opening semi-final.
KNEGARE AT HIS VERY BEST
The 2024 Juvenile Derby champion and Derby third was consistent through 2025 but never really reached the same heights as the previous year.
On Saturda night, he came roaring back to his best, however.
Lennies Tank and Droopys Kathleen were sent to traps the 6-4 joint favourites but neither could produce their best. Indeed, it was clear from early that Droopys Kathleen wasn’t going to threaten. In contrast, Lennies Tank broke smartly and seemed to be on his way to another impressive success when leading the field around the corner.
But Callaway Knegare had other ideas. He too broke smartly and held his position into the bend to turn second. A length and a half down off the second turn, he was even closer by the time they hit the third turn.
Just a length back at this point, he shot past Lennies Tank to enter the home straight with over two lengths in hand. Lemon Hidalgo moved second as they hit the final bend but Callaway Knegare was truly on a march and he powered up the straight to emerge a facile and most impressive five and a half length scorer in 29.33 (.10 fast). Lemon Hidalgo ran a fine race in second with a further length and a half to Lennies Tank in third.
For Owen McKenna and the Field Sports Syndicate, it must have been quite a joy to watch their son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet return to his very best to reach yet another classic decider.
DROOPYS REPAYS THOSE THAT KEPT FAITH
The second semi-final saw Droopys Faithful put her second round defeat behind her with a decisive display.
Miami Hans set a searching gallop from two but he was always under serious pressure once Droopys Faithful turned a close second.
It was after halfway when Droopys Faithful really started to move through the gears with Daniel O’Rahilly’s brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Curio charging into the third turn to take over from Miami Hans.
The latter ran out of racing room as a result and was forced to check, losing any chance of victory. Lemon Orla was now moving with purpose in second but Droopys Faithful was so fluent around the last two bends that she entered the home straight with three lengths in hand.
Predictably, Lemon Orla ran on well in second but Droopys Faithful was imperious, winning by two lengths in 29.58 (.10 fast). Lennies Madge again flew home to take third, just two lengths further adrift.
MARQUESS ON THE MARCH
Scooby Marquess turned the final of the Barking Buzz A1 into a procession, posting a sizzling 28.12 (.10 FAST)as he left his rivals standing with a superb display of front-running.
Representing the Jennifer O’Donnell/ Steve Noble alliance, the son of Grangeview Ten and Scooby Duchess was razor-sharp. Flashing from trap three, he comfortably held Duffin Dermy into the turn before stretching into a commanding lead by halfway. His kennel companion Born Ranger emerged from the pack to give chase in second but there was no stopping the pace setter. Galloping strongly to the line, Scooby Marquess emerged a four length winner over Born Ranger.
BOOMER CONTAINS ORDER IN A THRILLER
The semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Bookmakers A0 550 produced some exciting fare with the Kieren Lynch trained Shanahee Boomer going fastest in the second semi-final as he contained a spirited challenge from Exclusion Order.
The duo were always to the fore with Shanahee Boomer, owned by the Bae The Ditch Syndicate, moving into a narrow lead into the opening turn. He increased his advantage to go two lengths clear but Exclusion Order, as he did seven days earlier, closed around the last two bends to challenge on the run in.
Shanahee Boomer is nothing if not game, however, and the son of Good News and Droopys Dream dug deep to repel his rival by a head in 29.66(.10 FAST).
KATHLEEN COMPLETES A CONWAY DOUBLE
Goodnitekathleen would complete a fine double for in-form handler Shaun Conway in the opening semi-final.
She was simply too strong for her rivals, showing determination to force her way up the fence to challenge on the third turn.
Aussie Promse took charge early but was always under pressure. Gootnitekathleen was perfectly poised in behind the front runners and she made her move into the third turn. Trained by Shaun Conway for Conor Flynn, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Coonough Dolly pulled away to win by three and a half lengths from DrumcrowMcelroy in 29.99 (.10 FAST).
PRINCE ON FIRE
There was a big run from Gallant Prince in the sixth race, an open 525, A 2-1 chance ahead of the start, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva was headed early by Gudhand Ben but he ran a great bend to lead the field into the back straight.
Droichead Nua recovered from a slow start to challenge from the third turn but there was no catching the Ollie Bray trained Gallant Prince. Jointly owned by Leonard Kinsella and Bray, Gallant Prince stayed on well to secure a four-length victory in a brilliant, fastest of the night, 28.09(.10 FAST).
HUNTER COMPLETES A DOUBLE FOR OLLIE
Racing ended with the semi-finals of a mini-open Dual Distance and Gallant Hunter went fastest to complete a double for Ollie Bray.
In front from the opening stride, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Silver Penny, who is owned by the Virgil Van Fitzy Syndicate, looked a certain scorer when going a couple of lengths clear but he had to be on his toes in the later stages with Unanimous Leo staying on well to forced the judge into action. Gallant Hunter held on by a short head in 28.43.
GEE UP MAKES EVERY INCH
The other semi-final went the way of Harlequin Gee Up as he too made the most of an early advantage to score for Scott Phelan and the Harlequin Syndicate.
The son of King Sheeran and Swift Zap has a fine turn of early speed and he comfortably cleared those on his inner to dictate.
Belfast Gerry took up the chase and closed quite quickly in the closing yards but Harlequin Gee Up held on to claim a neck victory in 28.52 (.10 FAST).
MAXIMUS FOLLOWS UP
After claiming a fine success seven days earlier, Mutts Maximus again made every inch to handle the upgrade in the opener, the first semi-final of a mini-open 525.
Trained by Shaun Conway for Ann and Declan Johnson, the son of Grangeview Ten and Glory Razl flashed from trap four to make every inch. He needed to be at his most determined, however, as both Rallying Syd and Droopys Punch closed right up to the line. Mutts Maximus held on by a half length in a slick 28.49(.10 FAST).
KITTEN ROARS
Town Kitten was less than a length behind Mutts Maximus on the clock when taking the second semi-final for Sean Dooley.
Raha Rua and then Firstpastthepost did the pace-setting duties with the latter asserting into the third turn, but Town Kitten was always too close.
Third into the back straight, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Town Mouse stalked the front pair before making her move from the third turn. Going second at this point, she headed Firstpastthepost on the run in for a superb two length victory in 28.55(.10 FAST).