STAR SHINES BRIGHT IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
As has become the norm, there were some exceptional performances at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night the undoubted star of proceedings was Waitingforastar as he posted a sensational 31.88 for the 600yd trip in the semi-finals of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker Open 600.
Priceless Romeo won the other semi-finals in eventful fashion but Waitingforastar was the start of proceedings, posting the joint second fastest time ever recorded in Dublin for the 600yd trip.
NO WAITING FOR THIS STAR
The Pat Guilfoyle trained Waitingforastar was the 5-4 joint favourite alongside Riverside Rex but the pair had contrasting fortunes.
Riverside Rex walked from traps and was never a factor. In contrast, Waitingforastar made a far faster start than normal and quickly moved to the front.
It was only the second time in his career that he managed to lead around the turn. And, as you would expect, he made full use of his early advantage. Highbury Days was within a length at the corner and bumped the leader but it had no effect. Despite running really well down the back straight, Highbury Days struggled to contain Waitingforastar.
He actually ran really well to be within three lengths at the third turn but Waitingforastar was about to kick clear. Ello Ello began to close on the second into the third turn and stayed on well to take the runners-up spot but Waitingforastar was relentless. Pulling right away, Sandra Guilfoyle’s son of Droopys Jet and Magical Poppy hit the line six lengths clear in a sensational 31.88. Ello Ello was second with Highbury Days another length back in third.
ROMEO OH ROMEO
Bryan and Kathleen Murphy’s Priceless Romeo emerged a good winner of the opening heat although it seemed unlikely to for much of the journey with his kennel companion Lennies Dynamic setting a searing gallop only to run out of oxygen on the run in.
Goodnitekathleen may have been a big price from trap three, but she too ran a big race to finish a close second. Indeed, it was the latter that broke fastest to lead in the early yards only for lennies Dynamic to fly into the bend on the outside of the track to assume complete control.
Priceless Romeo moved second on the turn and gave chase, but seemed to be chasing shadows to the third turn. The whole complexion of the contest changed soon after they turned for home. You could sense the petrol gaugewas starting to drop dramatically up front and the stride of Lennies Dynamic shortened significantly.
In contrast, both Priceless Romeo and Goodnitekathleen ran right to the line with the pair heading the long-time pace-setter in the closing strides. In an eventful finish, it was the Paul Hennessy trained Priceless Romeo (that took the verdict by a half-length in 32.35. Goodnitekathleen was second with Lennies Dynamic just a head away in third.
Yvonne Barry Track Bookmakers Open 600
Final draw
1 ELLO ELLO
2 HIGHBURY DAYS
3 GOODNITEKATHLEEN
4 PRICELESS ROMEO (M)
5 WAITINGFORASTAR (M)
6 LENNIES DYNAMIC (W)
******
TICKETS TOO SHARP
There was an impressive €3,000 on offer in the final of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust min-open 525 and No Tickets followed up his superb semi-final display.
The Brendan Cullen trained heavyweight was ideally housed on the fence and he made full use of his rails pitch.
Coming away racing, he contained his rivals into the turn to enter the back straight in control. Button It moved second on the turn and gave chase throughout with Montore Magic moving third at halfway. Both would close on the leader all the way to the line but No Tickets was in no humour to surrender his lead.
Owned by the Lord of the Rings Syndicate, the powerfully built son of Grangeview Ten and Roaming Spirit stayed on to secure a length victory over Button It in 28.45 with Montore Magic the same distance away third.
STYLISH SWORDS WINS AN EPIC BATTLE
Swords Style won the fifth race in impressive fashion, albeit not before having a wonderful buckle with Lennies Jamesmac for much of the journey.
Indeed, the duo were virtually inseparable from the start to the third turn.
It was at this point that Swords Style started to get the better of the argument. Trained by Graham Holland for Barbara Lowndes, the proven son of Grangeview Ten and Emers Sally found extra to ease on as they turned for home. Gallant Captain ran on well from off the pace to take second, but Swords Style was not for catching and he hit the line two lengths clear in a fast 28.23.
JOURNALISM DEVELOPING INTO A STAR
The penny seems to have dropped with Journalism.
A week after producing a massive run over 550yds from the front, the talented son of Ballymac Cashout and Cliffhanger came from off the pace to win the penultimate race on the card, a maiden AA0 525 in good style for Graham Holland and Eugene Buckley.
Cash Prize displayed superb early speed to get loose into the turn and down the back straight, followed by Badminton Shiv but, behind the front two, Journalism and Headwire Trout were about to unleash their challenge.
As Cash Prize ran out of steam on the run in, both Journalism and Headwire Trout made their move. Challenging on both sides of the long-time leader, Journalism got first run. Powering up the straight on the outside of Cash Prize, while Headwire Trout took a bump while attempting to do the same up the inner, Journalism hit the front in the latter stages to win by a length and a half in 28.26. Headwire Trout came through for second.
MEGA MEZZA WINS FINALE
Droopys Mezza is certainly enjoying life at present.
After winning twice in recent weeks, the daughter of Pestana and Droopy Onestop claimed another fine victory in the finale over 550yds. Trained by Murt Leahy for Keith Turner, Droopys Mezza was headed at traps by the fast-starting Cosimo but things changed into the bend.
Droopys Mezza really drove up the fence to join and force her way past the early leader on the corner. It would prove a decisive move. Maintaining a ruthless gallop throughout, Droopy Mezza emerged a five lengths winner over the staying on Clonbrien Taylor in 29.55.
WILL POWER
Coolemount Will took another step forward in the third race, showing fine pace and strength to win for Mark Connolly and Tom Caughey.
Titanic Brads went up fastest but stayed to the middle of the track off the second turn leaving the door open for Coolemount Will.
The son of Mcinerney and Highview Mission didn’t need a second invitation. Powering up the fence, he assumed control by the third turn and then stayed on well to win by three lengths in a quick 28.31. The battle for second went right down to the wire with the eye-catching Boylesports Acca joining Mossy Fen on the line to dead-heat for the runner’s up spot.
SIR HOLDS ON IN AN OPENING THRILLER
Racing commenced with a tremendous contest as Dear Sir contained the late challenge of Droichead Nua.
The former set a searching gallop for Laurence Jones but was under severe pressure turning for home with Droichead Nua closing on the inside of the track. In a desperate run to the line, Dear Sir (Premier Fantasy/ Dear Oh Dear) held on to win by a head in 28.36.
KUDOS TO FAST-FINISHING KISHLAWN
Kishlawn Kudos hadn’t quite been firing in recent weeks, but she found a gap when needed in the second race and stormed home to emerge a good winner for Gavin and Padraic Nolan.
Old Warrior set a strong gallop after a fast start but was tackled by both Canya Talk Now and terra Firma on the run in.
As the trio clashed, Kishlawn Kudos, who had chosen to slip onto the fence around the final turn, found the extra needed. The Murt Leahy trained daughter of Pestana and Droopys Onestop flew up the straight to lead late for a three-length verdict over Terra Firma in 28.50.
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