James Can be a exciting prospect at Shelbourne

TRAPRISE

Friday action at Shelbourne Park saw a host of smart performances from local kennels and leading the way for trainer Pat Guilfoyle was Wi Can James (Ballymac Cashout-Right Nicki) when a sizzling winner of his semi-final in the TIME Puppy Derby Starts In July AO NB 525 Yard Stake.

A likely runner in that race title major, the September 2024 whelp announced himself as a likely star when a hugely eye-catching novice stake winner in the capital to commence his career while bearing the name Magical James, early last month. Subsequently purchased by Swedish owners Lars & Anita Wicander, who will be well known to our racing community, Wi Can James remained in Moneygall and built on that early promise on Friday.

Headed at trap rise from trap 4, James impressed when negating one length arrears to just about secure the rails entering the opening bend. Galloping that turn tightly however, he would find a sharp Kapuka Coley rushing around his outer to strike the front on the approach to the backstraight. Over two lengths adrift upon straightening for halfway, the Guilfoyle starlet closed to the hind quarters of that leader before checked while tackling the closing bends. Displaying admirable battling qualities thereafter, Wi Can James proved strongest in the home stretch when overhauling the pacesetter for a most game one length victory.

A winning time of 28.15 confirms him amongst the most talented pups in racing and fastest of the semis, he will take favourite claims to this week’s final.

Friday also saw the commencement of a warm Barking Buzz A2 525 Yard Stake at Shelbourne and the Vincent McKenna trained Oyster Boy (Grangeview Ten-Twentylittletoes) progressed markedly from previous form when an impressive quarterfinal winner in the event.

Possessing smart early pace at the trip, the Tilltrackdouspart Syndicate’s July 2024 whelp was headed for only the very initial strides from trap 2 before scampering his way to a strong one length lead at the corner. Never sighting a rival thereafter, the Borrisokane pup saw out every yard and extending in the home stretch, registered a dismissive four and a half-length victory in a new personal best of 28.51.

That time compares well within the event and with a running style that is tough to contain, Oyster Boy is a big player in the stake which continues this weekend.

Joining him in this week’s semi-finals will be John Meelam’s Lucky Gem (Grouchos Duke-Courty Girl) who performed with huge credit having made a poor start in the following heat.

Displaying enough early pace to race within a crowded chase pack behind the leader at the opening bends, the Dave Bourke trained October 2024 pup was further inconvenienced when on the leader’s tail to the backstraight. She would settle for a qualifying third when going down by two and a half lengths in 28.81 but the effort screamed imminent improvement from what was just her third career outing!

Birthday boy Duke sparks Morrissey brace

Midweek SIS action got the winner’s rolling-in early last week and extending a smart season in that sphere at Kilkenny, Tina & Abigail Morrissey helped themselves to another double winning achievement on Wednesday with Abigails Duke (Great Blue Shark-Abigails Sky) sparking the feat in the Boylesports A4 525.

Backing up his May victory in the same grade, the June 2022 whelp celebrated his fourth birthday with the 22nd race win of his career, in thoroughly dominant fashion.

Well housed in trap 1, the Cloughjordan kennel stalwart defended his rails pitch on the run to the corner and fully asserting while tackling those opening bends, never sighted a rival thereafter.

A commanding six and a half-length winner, Duke posted 29.90 (-40) and remains in a grade where he can add further to his impressive win tally!

Completing the kennel double in the following Sales @ Kilkenny Track A6 525, Home Cedrie (Ballymac Anton-Home Julie) resumed winning ways while also leading throughout.

With the best early dash from trap 6, the August 2023 whelp held a tight one length lead around the opening bends and remaining in full command, thereafter, posted 30.39 (-40) for a seventh race win.

Thursday’s SIS fixture at Limerick also brought a return to the winner’s circle for Eileen Kennedy’s Dixies Velvet (Ballymac Bolger-Velvet Blue) when a snug winner of his A4 525 contest, for a fourth career win.

Fully getting to grips with a return to the grade following last month’s A5 score, the June 2023 whelp began sharply from trap 6 and front rank within a three-way tussle to the top of the backstraight, fully stamped his authority on the race from that point. Extending to four and a half lengths at the line while staying stoutly, Dixies Velvet registered 29.35 and will hold obvious claims next time without an upgrade.

Saturday’s fixture at Thurles didn’t pass without a local winner to cheer and within a highly competitive career start, the O’Meara Family Syndicate’s Chubbys Team (Newinn Taylor-Badminton Queen) claimed his second race victory in the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust A3 525.

With a previous sprint victory to his name, the May 2024 whelp has now filled a forecast position in all five outings having placed second in his four-bend debut at the same level last time.

Showing that sprinting prowess on Saturday, the O’Meara youngster eased his way to a one length lead at the opening bend having begun on terms from trap 3. Extending to a strong three length lead at halfway, Chubbys Team would come under pressure from a strong staying rival with his lead reduced in the home stretch but retaining ample resolve for a thrilling shorthead victory, posted 29.50.

With his early paced running style and improvement highly likely, he can be strongly fancied to quickly supplement this win.