Milldean Panther makes it eight wins from as many starts

A FEW issues became clear at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. First, Shaneboy Fantasy and Peggys Style indicated they have a big future over six bends after impressing in the semi-finals of the Mannions Builders Supplies Open 750, while Milldean Panther showed yet again he is a greyhound of rare talent.

Milldean Panther, the sensationally fast son of College Causeway brought his career tally to eight wins from eight starts. After mistiming the start from trap four, he had to battle hard to turn in a challenging position.

Edging inwards on the run to the bend he took a couple of bumps before turning close to the pace on the rail. Priceless Spark entered the back straight with a narrow advantage, but then Milldean Panther went through the gears.

He moved into a clear lead before halfway and then started to assert. Priceless Spark is no slouch, but she had no answer to the pace of the leader. Milldean Panther stayed on strongly to take the verdict by two and a half lengths in a very quick 28.38.

Trainer John O’Flynn indicated Milldean Panther may have another race around Shelbourne before taking in the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake.

Shaneboy Fantasy was the star turn in the semi-finals of the Mannions Builders Supplies Open 750 as he posted the third fastest time ever recorded at Shelbourne for the extended trip.

Making every inch after a fast start, he rallied on the run in to repel the late charge of Welesbourne Dan to take the verdict by a length in a stunning 41.40, with Droopys Casanova recovering after a slow start to take third a further eight lengths adrift.

Peggys Style was in a different league in the second heat. The Peter Cronin trained star was always in control to emerge nine and a half lengths clear of Cherrygrove Cool in 41.79.

Draw for final: 1 Welesbourne Dan; 2 Shaneboy Fantasy; 3 Droopys Casanova; 4 Cherrygrove Cool (m); 5 Peggys Style (w); 6 Leap Of Faith (w)

The Graham Holland trained Cabra Noel indicated he could be a challenger to Milldean Panther in 2012 as he produced a stunning turn of pace down the back straight to win the Open 525 final.

Having turned into the back straight in fifth, he went into overdrive before seeing off Royal Patrol by two and a half lengths in 28.61.

The concluding Open 575 saw Olympic Rockstar land a blow for the bookmakers.

The rank outsider was always prominent before getting the better of Razldazl Barack in a photo finish in 31.31.