SPORTING PRESS OAKS REALLY COMING TO A BOIL

Ian Fortune

There have been many wonderful performances to this point in the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks but things really do start to get serious this evening with any mistakes likely to be magnified this evening as twenty-three of the fastest ladies in training battle it out for the place in the final dozen.

Whether a bank holiday and stunning weather conditions will affect the crowd has yet to be seen but there is little doubt that anyone that makes their way through the stiles will be treated to come exceptional racing which will also include the quarter finals of the valuable GRI Summer Open 525.

As far as the Sporting Press Irish Oaks action is concerned, all four heats feature at least one realistic potential Oaks champion and should all the big guns progress, next week’s semi-finals will be unmissable.

MAGIC AND REAM TO SERVE UP A THRILLER

The betting market for the opening heat will suggest that the winner is to come from Quivers Magic or Bobsleigh Dream.

It’s difficult to oppose this view with both so impressive last week as they clocked an identical 28.25.

Of course, Bobsleigh Dream is already a dual classic winner after landing last year’s Leger at Limerick and the Cesarewitch at Mullingar earlier this year. She led from the opening bend last week and pulled right away to win by seven lengths. 

Strange as it may seem, it looked like nothing more than a gallop or the sensationally fast daughter of Droopy Sydney and it would be no surprise if she were to go even faster. That may well depend on whether she gets a clear run at the turn but she seems certain to make a bold bid either way.

Quivers Magic has been in the form of her relatively short career. Adam Dunford has his starlet humming at present and an ideal draw on the fence should see her make a bold bid once again. It goes without saying that she needs another fast start but if turning in front, she would be a tough nut to crack.

Of the remainder, Glengar Martha is going the right way, is very young and is already capable of going close to 28 seconds. For all these reasons she is respected. Our Dog Molly, Cashen Miska and Fire Height Mal complete the field. All three have clocked around the 28.50 mark in the past but may need a career best effort to worry the big guns. 

Slight preference is for Bobsleigh Dream but she needs to do everything right to lower the colours of Quivers Magic. Glengar Martha can chase the duo home in third.

MENDOZA TO HUNT DOWN COCO

The make up of the second heat reads well for supporters of Terezas Mendoza.

A hugely fast lady, she has shown a real liking for the rails and a trap one draw will see her start favourite for Pat Buckley.

Boylesports Coco is certain to go up fast and is a very possible pace-setter but she would be under severe pressure if Terezas Mendoza were to turn close. 2022 Oaks runner-up Scooby Duchess seems to be finding form but needs to show more urgency into the turn, especially from a trap five draw, while East Razzle also needs to find her trapping boots in the stripes.

Cashen Bazooka will be ready to pounce on any opportunities from trap two but does have a bit to find on the clock, while Crossfield Orla is another that finishes fast.

It’s an intriguing contest but Terezas Mendoza is drawn to turn close and she can pick up Boylesports Coco in the latter stages. The race for third could go right down to the wire.

UNISPUTED HAS THE DRAW

The inside could also be the place to be in Heat 3 where Undisputed wears the red jacket.

She went down narrowly to Crafty Shivoo last week but the draw is far kinder to the Pat Guilfoyle trained Undisputed this week.

Both are likely to go up fast but Undisputed should turn in front of her rival with the inside line in her favour. The absence of Threesixfive is a blow to the contest but certainly not to Droopys Nice One. One of the stars of 2022, the Derby finalist is roaring back to form and looks a big threat.

If she can find another couple of lengths, she could really put it up to Undisputed who is chosen to come home in front. Droopy Alyssa and Footfield Peach need to be foot-perfect in such a hot contest to land a telling blow.

MIGHTY MOFO TO FIND A WAY

After becoming just the eighth bitch in history to break the 28 second barrier at Shelbourne Park, Raha Mofo will be warm order to come home in front in the last of the four heats.

The defending champion and Bitch of the Year is in the form of her career and will be difficult to stop although nothing can be taken for granted with the likes of Burgess Rapid, Cornetto, Glengar Bridie and Droopys Timing all capable of going fast.

The presence of the early paced Paradise Nikibel on her immediate outside is also a slight concern. Raha Mofo is special, however, and on suspects she will find a way to win. A natural starter, she should turn close to the front before making her superior pace and power count from halfway.

Burgess Rapid can give her most to think about, while Glengar Bridie and Cornetto could also get involved if doing things right but Raha Mofo should have too much ammunition for her rivals and she is chosen to go one step closer to defending her Oaks crown.

Remaining Action

BLU TO FOLLOW UP IN SUMMER STAKE

Hawkfield Blu looked a potential star in the opening round of the GRI Summer Open 525 when posting a scorching 28.17 on his way to a wide margin success.

A week on, he has the draw in his favour again and is likely to start a hot favourite to win the last of the four quarter finals for Jerry Connors and handler Keeley McGee.

Should he match last week’s flying start, the son of Good News can dominate to see off Salmic Fitz and Inflation.

SYDNEY TO GO FASTER

Galloping Sydney was far from the fastest opening round heat winner but he displayed all his early speed to recover from a moderate start.

That was just his second outing in almost two months and it’s seems safe to expect him to come on for that outing.

He looks the potential pace-setter in the opening heat and it would be no surprise if he were to go considerably faster. Each of his rivals are capable of going fast but an early advantage could make the difference for Galloping Sydney and he is chosen to lead home impressive opening round scorers Angry Grandad and Millroad Bolger.

CAN GARFIO GET LOOSE?

The wonderfully consistent and razor-sharp Capitan Garfio has been drawn in the middle in Heat 2 but he looks certain to make a bold bid if finding another slick start.

He will need to, however, as both Faithful Paddy and Droopys Racer can also go up fast. In what is perhaps the most open of the four heats, Capitan Garfio is a tentative selection.  

SYD JUST GETS THE NOD

Heat 3 is quite a head scrater. Churchtown Syd doesn’t win all that often but has the pace to make a bold bid.

He went fastest of the six runners in the opening round when chasing home Angry Grandad. With a clear passage he would be hard to contain but none of hi rive rivals can be dismissed.

Wilms Blake and Hawkfield Ava will look to steal this contest off the front and are respected but Churchtown Syd just gets the vote ahead of them.

RCETS SEMIS A GREAT START TO PROCEEDINGS

The semi-finals of the valuable RCETS A1 575 should provide the perfect start to a wonderful night’s entertainment.

Both heats are very competitive with many of the twelve going quick in the opening round.

Kilgraney Mac has the best of the draw in the opening heat and that could make the difference with Thomas Buggy’s charge chosen to lead home Cheero and  Pied Piper, while the second heat is really open with Ballymac Run, Ballymac Nunez, Music Glideaway and Crossfield Auric all capable of making a bold bid.

On the strength of his opening round effort, Music Glideaway is chosen to again relish the longer run to the turn to make most of the running.