NOTABLE DISPLAYS IN DUBLIN BUT JAMES THE STAND OUT

Ian Fortune

There were some notable performances at Shelbourne Park on Friday night. Aside from the feature which went the way of Town Kitten, there were some fine displays from young greyhounds that could potentially turn into Puppy Derby challengers.

These include Wi Can James who looked potentially very special when posting a fastest of the night 28.15 in the second semi-final of the TIME Puppy Derby Starts Soon A0 525.Formerly known as Magical James, he made a wonderful start under his new name for owners Lars and Anita Wicander.

The duo are no strangers to owning good dogs and Wi Can James is potentially as good as their previous best, Juvenile Classic winner Wi Can Dream.

The son of Ballymac Cashout and Right Nicki was prominent into the turn only to take a bump. Kapuka Coley then went to the front but Wi Can James displayed all sorts of pace to close into the third turn before coming through in the latter stages.

It was a hugely taking display from the youngster and one that hinted that he could be very special with more racing. Pat Guilfoyle seems likely to target the Puppy Derby with the tracker and it would be no surprise to see him going far in the classic. He eventually came home a length to the good with Kapuka Coley running well in second.

GIRL LOSES MAIDEN TAG

The opening heat of the stake went to Comeon Me Girl as she lost her maiden tag.

Trained by Mark Robinson for John Lee, the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Kildallon Tilly shot to the front early into the turn and dug deep to hold the charge of Maireads Susie by a half length in 28.49.

KITTEN PURRS IN FEATURE

The final of the Three Nights A Week @ SPK A1 575 saw Sean Dooley’s Town Kitten make the most of her inside line to get first run on her rivals.

Droopys Punch turned on her heels but there was no stopping the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Town Mouse.

Despite the persistent challenge of her pursuer, Town Kitten kept on responding to eventually emerge a length and a half winner in 31.42. 

CLIFF IMPRESSES

The card began with a bang as Ballyhooly Cliff followed up on recent promising efforts at Kilkenny to make a very taking Dublin debut, winning in a rapid 28.25.

Drawn in six in the opening semi-final of the TIME Puppy Derby Starts Soon A1 525, the son of Orchestrate and Lemon Tilda was soon in charge after a slick exit.

Uncle Jim was a close second to the bend but could never get close enough to really worry the pace-setter. Trained by Tom O’Neill for the Sahgrove Trio Syndicate, the November ’24 whelp raced to an easy four and a half length victory over his rival.

SALLY WINS SECOND HEAT

The second heat went the way of the David Murray trained Chicks Sally.

Never far away after the opening bend, Mary Killeen and Mick Malone’s daughter of Dromana Bucko and Miss Chicky took charge between the last two turns and proceeded to see off Biorra Prince by two and a half lengths in 28.50.