SUPERB FRIDAY NIGHT RACING IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Tonight’s card at Shelbourne Park is a gem.
Aside from the second round of the Paddy Merriman Memorial, the card is packed with quality racing and should ensure for a wonderfully entertaining evening at HQ.
CRISPY FACING A TOUGHER TEST
There were numerous superb displays in the opening round of the Paddy Merriman Memorial, both in victory and defeat, and it’s safe to assume there will be more of the same this evening. Droopys Crispy set the standard last week, flying around in a rapid 28.17.
The reward for her efforts? A tricky draw in the first of the four heats. There is no doubt the Barry Clancy trained daughter of Droopys Addition would far prefer a rails pitch but she has the early speed and class to overcome the draw.
What’s a bigger concern is the presence of the eye-catching and clearly hugely promising Ballymac Imrie. The latter was beaten a couple of lengths behind Born Sassy last week but displayed massive pace, only to have the door closed on her at the third turn when challenging.
Her primary concern this evening is containing Droopys Crispy into the bend. If doing so, she could certainly put herself in the mix. Have no doubt, she is potentially very talented and can only improve given the fact she won’t be two years of age until May.
She is nominated as the main threat to Droopys Crispy, although Turnon The Turbo, Barnfield Jack and the early paced Hollyhill Stacey are also respected.
COOL LOOKS THE PART
Jacktavern Cool was also very impressive in the opening round, forcing his way to the front at the second turn before powering clear to emerge a facile winner for Michael Corr.
He again wears the stripes in the second heat and is chosen to lead home his rivals, which include the promising Ballymac Whistle. Awat Zoomey and Old Texas can emerge the best of the remainder.
DINO LOOKING TO GET FIRST RUN
Heat 3 is particularly competitive. Hackney Dino is a good starting point.
The Michael Taggart trained son of Mcinerney and former star Ballymac Ariel has tremendous pace to the corner and used it to great effect in the opening round, shooting clear to hold off Headwire Trout.
He again looks the most likely pace-setter but it would be brash to ignore the claims of Portumna Levi. The latter has shown big pace in each of his three outings to date and gave the impression there was much more to come in his latest start. He may need to find his trapping boots but is undoubtedly one that can go close.
Not Just Jo is also very promising. He ran on well to score in 28.52 last week and must also enter calculations, while Boozed Acela and Freeway Bruce are also very fast but need to show more urgency into the opening bend.
SASSY SET TO DOMINATE AGAIN
The aforementioned duo of Born Sassy and Headwire Trout can com to the fore in the final heat. the pair have very different racing styles with Born Sassy all about early speed, while Headwire Trout will finish fast.
Born Sassy is the likely pace-setter. She flew from boxes to dominate in a 28.31 success last week and is again chosen to emerge on top. Headwire Trout will need to find the gaps but can come through to take second at the expense of Coolemount Will and another big finisher, Pennys Wildpoppy.
CATHY DRAWN TO FOLLOW UP IN A3 FINAL.
There’s also a €2,000 final on the card.
The Shelbourne Dolls A3 decider features some promising types including fastest semi-final winner Fercullen Cathy. David Buckley’s daughter of Dromana Bucko came through to win in 28.50, showing real strength from halfway.
She has an ideal draw on the fence this evening and is again likely to make a bold bid, especially if holding her inside pitch around the opening two bends. Ballymac Jayah and Highview Slot were behind Fercullen Cathy last week and can again emerge as the main dangers.