Irish Performance of the Week - 29 April 2025

Irish Performance of the Week

A difficult decision last week at Shelbourne. Shebetheone landed the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks but her run was just not quite as good as that produced by Callaway Knegare in the semis of the Shelbourne 600. It's another major final reached for the son of Droopys Sydney and his semi-final performance suggests that he has plenty in hand as long as he makes no mistakes. Take nothing away from Shebetheone who has really come of age through the Puppy Oaks, marking herself down as a serious competition bitch.

March 8 saw Satin Tango get knocked over in a race at Cork. She has won both starts since, producing a career-best in each of those runs, responding well to adversity. Her 28.12 last week was just three spots off the quickest of the year so far at Curraheen Park.

Drive On Bono spoilt the clean sweep of the medal positions that Second Treasure was in possession of this year over 400y at Dundalk. His 21.07 is the second fastest of the year in the first sprint race that he has contested. A 28.54 winner at Youghal last summer, perhaps a galloping two bends will be the making of him.

There are some smart pups on the list this week, led by Ardnasool Stark. She shaped with plenty of promise in an unraced stake at Shelbourne, producing the second quickest 525y time of the year so far at Lifford. Her dam is a half-sister to Kevin Hutton's 2018 Oaks winner Ravenswood Flo.

The other October 2023 whelp is Goodnitekathleen, also on just her third start. She picked a good time to pick up her first win in the final of an unraced stake at Newbridge in a smart time. A word too for Klassy Shoe who is a month older, tying the fastest 335y time this year at Drumbo. It was her third win in just four starts, out of a half-sister to the likes of Cabra Firmino.