INCREDIBLE START TO SPORTING PRESS OAKS
Ian Fortune
The Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks got underway at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and, predictably, there were some sensational displays as well as a few shocks.
As always, there were a number of talented types returning for a crack at the bitch classic after a layoff and it was one of these that stole the headlines with a sensational display. Undisputed was simply brilliant as she turned Heat 7 into a procession, establishing herself as one of the leading fancies for Oaks glory in the process. Below we talk you through each of the eleven heat winners.
Heat 1 – AILSA GIVES RIVALS THE SLIP
Favourite backers didn’t have the best of starts with Unmatched failing to land a blow after a slow start.
Instead, last year’s runner-up Scooby Duchess broke best but was soon headed by the early paced Droopys Ailsa into the turn.
In what was her first start in open company, the daughter of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Berry looked right at home. Trained by Robert Gleeson for Paul Allen, Droopys Ailsa proceeded to make every inch thereafter despite the best efforts of Scooby Duchess into the third turn.
Once containing her rival at that point, Droopys Ailsa stayed on to emerge a two length scorer in 28.55. Scooby Duchess was second with a three length gap to Fire Height Mal in third.
Heat 2 – MAGIC FROM QUIVERS
Quivers Magic was at her very best in the second race, showing her rivals a clean pair of heels once forcing her way up the fence to lead from the turn.
Trained by Adam Dunford for PJ and Charles Sugrue, Quivers Magic is particularly strong so defeat was very unlikely thereafter.
Highview Mags moved into second early in the back straight but could never land a glove on the leader. In fact, Threesixfive flew home to grab second but Quivers Magic was in a league of her own on this occasion, with the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Quivers Manor hitting the line four and a half lengths to the good in a rapid 28.35. Threesixfive had, in turn, a length in hand on Highview Mags.
Heat 3 – COCO HITS THE RIGHT NOTE AGAIN
John Boyle’s Boylesports Coco made it three wins on the bounce in Heat 3, making every inch of the running after a slick exit from trap four.
The Dolores Ruth trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Barn Swallow is razor-sharp in the early yards and that could serve her well in the coming weeks.
Paradise Nikibel gave chase for much of the way but was never really close enough to threat. Crafty Kokoro, on her comeback run of the year found bad traffic around the last two bends, failing to qualify.
In truth, this was all about Boylesports Coco. Making every inch, she came home with two and a half lengths in hand on Paradise Nikibel in 28.55 with Rafa Friends finishing a further eight lengths back in third.
Heat 4 – SHIVOO TOO SHARP
After the disappointment of seeing their star Crafty Kokoro going out in Heat 3, Crafty Shivoo provided the Divilly clan with reason to smile in Heat 4, shooting from trap three to make every inch of the running.
This was a professional display from the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Sanjose. Droopys Alysssa did show pace down the back straight to move into second but there was no stopping Crafty Shivoo, who came home four lengths to the good in 28.68. Droopys Alyssa was second with a further five length gap to Burgess Girl in third.
Heat 5 – BUBBLES FLYING HIGH
You would have to go back to the end of March since Puppy oaks champion Lets Go Bubbles last suffered defeat.
The brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx made it five wins on the bounce in Heat 5, showing tremendous early speed to take over from the fast starting Sunshine Jewel on the bend.
Much like her half-sister, Susie Sapphire, Lets Go Bubbles has the ability to put races to bed very quickly and that’s exactly what she did on this occasion. By halfway, she was clear and, while Droopys Nice One did show signs of a return to her best form when coming through for second, she was never going to get near the pace-setter.
Lets Go Bubbles emerged a facile winner for Owen McKenna and Peter Comerford, crossing the line five lengths to the good in 28.55. Droopys Nice One displayed real signs of life in second with Blue Matilda another three lengths away in third.
Heat 6 – CORNETTO LICKS HER RIVALS
Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Cornetto left a sweet taste in the mouth of her backers after a fine display in Heat 6.
Not the fastest into stride, she quickened into the bend to force her way past the youngster Dapper Rose to go second before taking over from the fast-starting Courty Girl between the opening two bends.
It was all one-way traffic thereafter. The daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Honey moved ito a decisive lead down the back straight. Courty Girl did stay on well to close on the run in but Cornetto held on to initiate a double for Pat Guilfoyle. The August ’20 whelp went on to score by a length and a half in 28.84. Dapper Roe made a very encouraging four-bend debut in third, some four lengths behind Courty Girl.
Heat 7 – SIMPLY UNDISPUTED
Undisputed had shown real promise prior to Christmas, posting some big runs at Shelbourne Park but, after a layoff and change of kennel, it was difficult to know what sort of form she would be ahead of her return in Heat 7.
It took only a single stride to realise she was ready for action. The hugely talented daughter of Pestana and Unlock Unlock, who is now under the care of Pat Guilfoyle, was electric at traps, shooting clear into the turn to dominate throughout.
Owners Wayne McCarthy and Paul Prendergast would have more than happy with their charge as she maintained a relentless gallop throughout to eventually come home six lengths clear in a sizzling fastest of the round 28.20. This was a statement like display and Undisputed is clearly a leading fancy for outright success.
Bobsleigh Dream stumbled at traps and was a bad last into the turn, where she took a speed wobble, but she recovered wonderfully well, showing her trademark pace down the back straight before finishing at speed to grab second on the line. She picked up Burgess Rapid to finish a half length in front of her rival.
Heat 8 – BRIDIE IN A PROCESSION
Richard Colwell’s Glengar Bridie faced a tricky draw in Heat 8 but a fast start from trap four quickly put her supporters mind at ease.
Leading from the opening stride, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Nice Mystery edged across to the fence and made every yard with minimum fuss.
Burgess Anne gave chase throughout but was never a threat to the leader. Glengar Bridie went on to see off Burgess Anne by six lengths in 28.68. Glengar Martha recovered from early bother to finish just a length away in third.
Heat 9 – MOFO TAKES HER CHANCE
Fresh from her success in the Limerick Oaks and being named Bitch of the Year at the National Greyhound Awards, reigning champion Raha Mofo made a successful start to her Oaks defence in Heat 9, albeit in sad circumstances.
The hugely talented Stream Of Sydney flashed from traps and led to the opening bend only to lose her action. As a result, Marissa Molloy’s Raha Mofo was left in front and there was nothing Easy Razzle could do in second to stop the Murt Leahy trained superstar.
As you would expect, Raha Mofo (Droopys Sydney/ Jet Stream proof) was relentless once going to the front and she eased on from the final turn to see off her younger rival by four lengths in a sizzling 28.31. There was a similar gap to Cashen Bazooka in third.
Heat 10 – MINI STAR WINS BY A STREET
There was no easier winner all night than Tommy O’Donovan’s Miss Mini Star.
The daughter of Droopys Jet and Miss Mini Marvel displayed a lovely turn of early speed to lead her three rivals in the penultimate heat.
As it happened, she was left a mile as those in behind clashed on the bend. By halfway she was in excess of ten lengths clear and proceeded to cross the line thirteen lengths to the good in 28.87. Terezas Mendoza was second with Footfield peach another length further back.
Heat 11 – MISKA LEADS LATE
Just three went to traps in the final heat of the round and Cashen Miska (Droopys Sydney/ Ballymac Razzler) took full advantage, chasing the fast-starting Rathdown Molly for much of the way before pouncing in the second half.
Rathdown Molly was having her first start in some time so it was no surprise to see her tiring from halfway.
Cashen Miska was ready to pounce. Owned jointly by James Hannon and Chris Houlihan, Cashen Miska began to bridge the gap to the third turn before pouncing as they turned for home. Going on, she held the big finish of Crossfield Orla by three parts of a length in 28.76. Rathdown Molly will come on greatly for the run. She was another two lengths adrift.