A STUNNING OAKS SUCCESS FOR SHIVOO
Ian Fortune
For the second year running, the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks trophy is heading west of the Shannon after a sensational display from the hugely exciting, ever progressive Crafty Shivoo.
After five weeks of intense action through the bitch classic, Saturday’s final at Shelbourne Park served as a real coronation for Brian and Peter Divilly’s star.
Sent to traps the 3-1 second choice behind the hot favourite Bobsleigh Dream, those that took the odds about Crafty Shivoo were always happy. Both Glengar Martha and Scooby Duchess came away racing on the outside of the track but neither could contain Crafty Shivoo.
Shooting up the fence, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Sanjose quickly took charge at the head of affairs. With Bobsleigh Dream left standing in boxes and sitting last into the turn, it was her kennelmate Glengar Mattha that emerged as the biggest threat to Crafty Shivoo.
But this was little more than a procession. Once taking over, Crafty Shivoo was always moving with a real sense of purpose. Entering the back straight with just under two lengths in hand, she increased her advantage to two and a half lengths by halfway and three lengths to the third turn.
Glengar Martha did all she could to close but it was futile. Crafty Shivoo remained clear and was showing no signs of taking her foot off the pedal. Scooby Duchess closed on Glengar Martha and moved through to take second for the second year running but this was Crafty Shivoo’s night.
The brilliant young bitch, who won’t be two until October, stayed on strongly to increase her lead in the final fifty yards. At the line, she had three and a half lengths to spare over Scooby Duchess in a stunning 28.14. Glengar Martha was just a half length further back in third with Bobsleigh Dream coming from out of the clouds to finish just another length adrift in fourth. Sadly, Quivers Magic and Droopys Timing had no luck in running and were beaten a long way.
In victory, she posted the joint fastest time ever recorded in an Oaks decider, matching the clock of Raha Mofo twelve months ago. For the Divilly family, it has been an incredible twelve months. Crafty Kokoro handed them classic glory last summer, running out a wonderful winner of the Corn Cuchulainn before going on to finish third in the Derby. She was also named Stayer of the Year and for Crafty Shivoo to hand them Oaks success just weeks after the retirement of Kokoro must seem surreal.
Where Crafty Shivoo goes next is not yet known but, given her rapid rise up the ranks, she will need to be taken seriously. She is now a classic winner and it would come as no surprise if she went on to claim more big race success in the coming months. A huge well done to all involved.
Seamus Begley presents the trophy to Peter & Brian Divilly and Nevin Farrell presents the Breeders trophy to breeder Sean Beatty after Crafty Shivoo won the 2023 Sporting Press On Line Edition Irish Oaks final at Shelbourne Park. Also included are The Divilly Family. Pic: Imelda Grauer
SUPER SYD THE SUMMER CHAMP
The GRI Summer AO 525 is a welcome addition to the calendar and Michael Crotty and Denis Fitzgerald will certainly be delighted with its introduction after their star Churhctown Syd ran out a tremendous inaugural winner.
Hawkfield Blue was a warm favourite to land the €10,000 prize but a badly missed start ended his chances. Instead, it was his half-sister Hawkfield Ava that took the field along but her fate was sealed when Churchtown Syd slipped around in second.
Closing on the leader to the third turn, Churchtown Syd was perfectly poised. Hawkfield Ava attempted to close the door at this point but Churchtown Syd was too strong and fast for her. Forcing his way through along the fence, the son of Droopys Sydney and Skywalker Pearl quickly moved into a decisive leadbefore powering up the straight to win by an ever-increasing six length margin in 28.55. Feelsawumble stayed on to grab second with Hawkfield Ava another half length away in third.
AN INCREDIBLE CONSOLATION GOES TO UNDISPUTED
Some of the fastest females in training provided an incredible spectacle in the Consolation final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks with the headlines going to Undisputed as she displayed great pace and determination to emerge a brilliant winner.
This was a truly wonderful contest and buckle with Terezas Mendoza really putting it up to Undisputed from the very first stride. Droopys Nice One was actually fastest into stride but was drawn on the outside of Undisputed and Terezas Mendoza and could only turn third, albeit on the immediate outside of the two pace-setters.
Meanwhile Undisputed displayed superb early dash to lead around the bend but Terezas Mendoza was soon on the case, staying tight to the fence on the bend to challenge off the second turn. By the sprint traps, the pair were side by side, neither giving an inch.
This was still the case into the third turn where Terezas Mendoza just eased on with the benefit of the inside line. Undisputed was not going to be denied, however. In a driving finish, Undisputed really did knuckle down. Finishing with a flourish, she took over from Terezas Mendoza in the closing yards to eventually score by a length in a fast 28.24. Terezas Mendoza was second and East Razzle third, just a length further back.
WALT LANDS A THRILLER
Liam Dowling had a memorable night with no fewer than three winners including Ballymac Walt, who completed the hat trick when just getting the better of Papa Di Oro in a very tight finish to the ninth race.
Papa Di Oro won the battle with Hovex Tommy on the inside of the track to turn in front but Ballymac Walt was soon in chase on the outside of the track. Ballymac Walt moved best into the third turn to join and head the early pace-setter by a length but this contest was far from over.
Papa Di Oro rallied on the run in and the pair flashed past the post locked in battle. The judge declared Ballymac Walt the winner with the son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Diva taking t verdict by a short head in 28.43.
JOHNJO ENJOYS HIMSELF
Ballymac Johnjo made his six-bend debut in the eighth race and never saw a rival, establishing himself as a leading fancy for the upcoming Corn Cuchulainn in the process.
Shooting from the outside box, Liam Dowling’s brilliantly fast son of Ballymac Anton and Art Of Illusion entered the home straight for the first time with a few lengths in hand on Barefoot Supremo and he never allowed his pursuers to land a blow. Running right out to the line, the flying fawn emerged a facile eleven length scorer over the staying on Newport Pier in a quick 41.49.
NUNEZ GOES FAST
Ballymac Nunez provided the perfect start to a wonderful night of action by taking the opener by a wide margin in a rapid 28.14.
Liam and Shane Dowling’s son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton was in a league of his own in the A1 contest.
Taking charge into the turn, the November ’21 youngster was never under a moment’s pressure thereafter. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the finish, Ballymac Nunez went on to score by nine lengths from the staying on Newlawn Dubh. Given his youth and the quality of this display, it seems safe to say Ballymac Nunez is a name to remember.
NO SIGNS OF RUST FROM LASS
Clogheen Lass may have been off the track since last year but there was no signs of rust from the hugely talented daughter of Laughil Duke and Leevalley Dancer in the tenth race.
Trained by Graham Holland for the Farran And Away Syndicate, Clogheen Lass flashed from tap five and was in charge throughout.
Footfield Peach ran another big race in second but could never get close enough to worry the pace-setter. Clogheen Lass went on to score by two lengths in an encouraging 28.34.
JUNIOR COLLARS KOBE ON THE LINE
It was fitting that the final race on what was a wonderful card went right down to the wire with Trinity Junior getting up in the final stride to deny long-time leader The Other Kobe.
The latter broke smartly and quickly moved clear of his rivals, relishing the slightly longer run to the turn over 550yds but he was under pressure when Trinity Junior moved second on the bend.
Showing fine early dash after a moderate exit, Trinity Junior forced his way past Lotto Six One on the corner to chase the leader into the back straight. For much of the way it seemed The Other Kobe had enough in hand but his stride began to shorten on the run in. In contrast, Tim Slevin’s Trinity Junior maintained his strong gallop and it proved enough to see him take over on the line. The judge declared that the Peter Cronin trained son of Laughil Blake and Oi Oi Upenalty had got up by a head in 29.82.
HUGE RUN FROM BLAZE ON SIX BEND DEBUT
Garfiney Blaze is bred to stay six bends being a son of Ballymac Aton and Ballymac Merkle and he seemed to appreciate every yard of the 750yd trip in the fourth race, a novice 750.
Mcneill set a strong gallop after a slick exit and continue to dictate to the penultimate turn where the always close Garfiney Blaze made his move. Moving with purpose up the inside of the pace-setter, he took charge before easing on. Trained by Graham Holland for Michael Lynch, the September ’21 puppy emerged a mighty impressive three length winner over Mcneill in 41.55. There were also encouraging runs in defeat from Prince Lucius and newcomer Dalz Rolex and don’t be surprised if a few from this contest go well in the upcoming Corn Cuchulainn.
PAW-PERFECT BOLGER
Burgess Bolger provided JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane with a fine success in the second race when dominating from the early yards.
The son of Ballymac Bolger and Clear Mountain was sharpest at traps and quickened into a clear lead on the turn.
Once turning in front there was no stopping the January ’21 whelp and he proceeded to ease further clear to eventually see off Romeo Hotshot by five lengths in 28.50.
BRO KNOWS WHATS UP
Droopys Bro opened his account at the fourth attempt in the third race for Murt Leahy and the Sweeney Todd Syndicate.
Burgess Crusader set a strong pace after a flying start but was put under serious pressure into the third turn by Droopys Bro.
Staying tight to the fence, Droopys Bro forced his way up the inside of the early lead between the last two bends and this turned out to be a decisive manoeuvre. Once taking over, the pacey son of Malachi and Droopys Cake went on to land the spoils by four lengths from the fast finishing Foxmount Lough in 28.61.