BERRY BURNS BRIGHTEST ON LIFFORD OAKS FINAL NIGHT

Peter Farrell

Berry On Faya saved her best for last at Lifford Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as she produced a brilliant performance to land the €15,000-to-the-winner BOYLE Sports Oaks for trainer Murt Leahy and owners Peter and Cian Mulrooney.

The generous sponsorship of BOYLE Sports once again provided the platform for a high-quality renewal of the Northwest’s flagship event, and Berry On Faya proved a worthy champion. Having caught the eye with her powerful finishing efforts in both previous rounds, she added a flying start to her armoury in the decider, taking charge early before drawing clear in a brilliant 28.39.

A narrow runner-up to Cosmic Dancer in the opening round, ‘Berry’ had underlined her credentials seven days earlier when finishing strongly to reel in Magical Be Nifty in the semi-finals. The pair renewed rivalry in the decider, with Magical Be Nifty going to traps as the 9/4 favourite ahead of kennel companion Magical Fiona at 5/2. Gealltanas Grace was next at 3/1, followed by Berry On Faya at 7/2, while local hopes Ballymac Jetaway and Drveen Lass were available at 17/2 and 25/1 respectively. Magical Be Nifty was expected to set the early fractions, but Berry On Faya came away racing from trap one and, given her renowned finishing strength, already looked a tough nut to crack as the pair rounded the opening bend neck and neck. Further back, Ballymac Jetaway tucked into third, with Gealltanas Grace improving into fourth. Holding the inside advantage, Berry On Faya ran a terrific second bend to establish a three-parts-of-a-length lead over Magical Be Nifty, and she had doubled that advantage by halfway as the daughter of Droopys Got It – Blueberry Bullet began to turn the screw. Ballymac Jetaway continued to keep tabs on the leading pair, with four lengths covering the front three, but ‘Berry’ was travelling strongly and now had the Oaks title firmly within her sights. Maintaining her strong gallop around the bottom two bends, Berry On Faya powered up the demanding Lifford hill to draw four and a half lengths clear of Magical Be Nifty, with Ballymac Jetaway a further length and a half back in third. The winning time was a superb 28.39, a fitting conclusion to another hugely competitive renewal.