PUPPY OAKS AND 600 ACTION TO DELIGHT AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

A quality card is headlined by the final of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks at Shelbourne Park this evening.

Of course, there will also be huge interest in the opening round of the RPGTV Open 600 which for so long has been amongst the best and most popular events on the calendar.

COMPETITIVE PUPPY OAKS

The Puppy Oaks has been one by some true superstars of the sport in the past twenty years with a number of winners going on to record the Puppy Oaks/ Irish Oaks double.

Tonight’s field is headed by the likes of Easy Razzle, Lets Go Bubbles and Boylesports Coco, while Rural Kihei has already tasted big race success after landing the Rural Kennels Open Unraced at Clonmel.

Any of the quartet would be a worthy winner, while the remaining duo of Lima Rose and Coldcash Ice are far from the finished article and are improving with each outing. Much will depend on the battle into the corner.  

Easy Razzle has dominated in each of her two starts in the stake to date. She is again likely to go up fast and will bid to give Johnny Linehan another success in the competition. If she were to slip around in front, it’s difficult to see her getting picked up.

Boylesports Coco could be areal headache for her, however. The Dolores Ruth trained youngster has huge early speed and can really fly down the back also. Tonight’s race is likely to be run in faster conditions that last weekend’s semis, when she was collared late and she is a leading fancy.

Lets Go Bubbles is a real all-rounder. She is capable of going up well and she stays on strongly as proven seven days ago when reeling in Boylesports Coco. She is a half sister to former champ Susie Sapphire and represents the same connections, Owen McKenna and Peter Comerford. It wouldn’t need much for the daughter of Droopy Sydney to come home in front. 

Rural Kihei is a real powerhouse. While others will be faster to the turn, she is certain to storm home and could have a big say if the early pace-setters find any traffic problems. Lima Rose and Goldcash Ice complete the field. Both will certainly need luck but, as stated, they are going the right way. 

It’ a quality packed final but the nod goes to Easy Razzle. On current form, the lightly raced youngster has the draw and the ability to race clear of her rivals. Lets Go Bubbles and Boylesports Coco are nominated s the main dangers.

SUPER ED TO TAKE FLIGHT

Ballinabola Ed is a red-hot favourite to win the RPGTV Open 600 and he will be an unbackable price in the final heat despite the presence of some very talented rivals.

Droopys Nextone, Barefoot Supremo, Callaway Masters, Pablo Escobark and Clona Blu all boast some superb form in the very best company but none are likely to be able to match Ballinabola Ed for pure pace.

Expect the stunningly fast son of Confident Rankin to move to the front on the long-run to the bend before building a decisive lead to halfway. Barefoot Supremo is chosen to come through for second.

WILDE CAN OBLIGE

After a wonderful runner-up finish in the Easter Cup, Toolmaker Wilde will be a warm favourite to win Heat 3.

Should the Robert Gleeson trained star avoid traffic, he might prove to strong in the later stages for Hello Mom and Burj Khalifa.

CASHOUT AND DISCO TO DANCE

Disco Pants and Storys Cashout can battle it out for supremacy in the ring and on the track in Heat 2.

Both were impressive winners of their latest outing and, one suspects, there won’t be much between them at any stage. Storys Cashout may be fractionally stronger and he just gets the nod ahead of his rival.

ALL THE BEST

Allforthebest has long been a top-class tracker.

Ideally suited by the unique 600yd test, the powerful son of Vulturi can come through to win the opening heat at the expense of Swords Fudge and Mcneill.