STAGE SET FOR A WONDERFUL FINISH TO OAKS

Ian Fortune

Not long after 9pm this evening, the 2023 Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks champion will be crowned at Shelbourne Park.

This year’s bitch classic has provided some exceptional racing and it’s rather fitting that tonight’s €25,000 to the winner decider offers a real conundrum with the draw throwing the contest wide open.

Favourite to lift the trophy is Bobsleigh Dream who has already tasted classic glory twice in the past. Certainly, she won’t be fazed by the occasion but needs a little luck in running from a tricky draw in trap three.

The Leger and Cesarewitch champion is as fast as any bitch to race around Shelbourne Park in recent years but is short of a yard to the turn. And that is where those in opposition could potentially take advantage.

SHIVOO TO CRAFT AN EARLY LEAD?

The likes of Crafty Shivoo and Quivers Magic are certainly capable of stealing an early advantage on the inside of the track.

Crafty Shivoo is the joint youngest finalist along with Glengar Martha. In fact, she won’t be two until October and is progressing at a lovely rate.

She has improved through the classic and will look to make every inch for Peter and Brian Divilly. One of five daughters of Droopys Sydney in the decider, she is perhaps the most consistent finalist to the opening turn and is seen as the value option in the betting.

MAGIC NEEDED FROM QUIVERS

Quivers Magic was one of the stars of the early rounds, making all to win in 28.35 in the opening round and 28.25 the week after.

She has since suffered two defeats but ran very well in the latest. She has a 2.06 sectional on her card and how Adam Dunford would love to se her repeat that.

If she were to get to the front, with the track likely to be running on the fast side, she would take some catching. Her prospects very much depend on whether she can clear Crafty Shivoo into the turn but, if doing so, it’s game on. 

THE RIGHT TIMING

Droopys Timing may be the eldest runner in the line-up but is less experienced than three of her rivals.

She had no race this year prior to the opening round and as you would expect has improved or every subsequent outing. She has gone from posting 29.15 in defeat in the opening round to making every inch in the semis, on a slow track, in 28.43. 

And her ability to shoot from boxes could see her make a bold bid for Paul Cronin. She has never won from trap four in the past but this will be her first time wearing the black jacket at Shelbourne Park. AS with the inside pair, her best hope is to get loose around the turn and hope to contain the big finish of Bobsleigh Dream.

MARTHA A BIG PRICE

The aforementioned Glengar Martha is joint youngest and least experienced runner in the lineup with Crafty Shivoo.

She certainly has the pace to make a bold bid but the draw is a major concern. The youngster has been finishing strongly in recent weeks but has struggled to match some of tonight’s rivals to the bend.

For this reason she is a big price to land the Oaks. It’s difficult to see how she can turn close enough to the pace but she will have big days in the future.

DUCHESS WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Scooby Duchess completes the field and she has unfinished business in the classic after finishing a close second twelve months ago.

On that occasion she was picked up in the dying yards by Raha Mofo. She was in a race against time ahead of the Oaks and has slowly returned to her very best form.

The feature of her most recent displays has been the pace she has shown between the second and third turns. If she is to make her back straight pace count this evening, she needs both a fast start and a little luck at the opening turn.     

THE VERDICT GOES TO BOBSLEIGH

It really is a wonderful field and realistic claims can be made for all six but Bobsleigh Dream remains the one to beat.

She has the pace and strength to come from at least a couple of lengths back and with a clear passage around the opening two bends, can weave her way through the pack to lead on the run in. Crafty Shivoo can set the pace on the fence but will need to be aware of all that is happening in her wing mirrors. The best of luck to all. May they all come home safe.