FANTASIC RACING IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

The opening round of the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks produced some fantastic racing at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

On the clock, it was Castleivy Ginge (Droopys Sydney-Pennys Baccata) (Pic right) The Nash family and supporters after the superb winning performance of Castleivy Ginge in the opening round of the Cork Oaks who went quickest when winning for trainer Karol Ramsbottom and owners Michael and Noel Nash. Soon in front, the 2-1 shot displayed bundles of speed up front as she scored with plenty to spare. A powerful performance, clocking 28.31 and coming home with five and a half lengths to spare over Unmatched.
Star Molly (Droopys Sydney-Oakview Brae) ran out a comfortable winner of the opening heat for Patrick Everard. Showing plenty of early speed to slip around in front, the 4-5 favourite quickened clear on the back straight and she came home with seven and a half lengths to spare over Bounard Han, in 28.37.
Heat four went the way of Droopys Onestop (Broadstrand Bono-Droopys Dorothy) for trainer Johnny Linehana and owner Sean Dunphy. The 5-2 winner wasn't the quickest into stride, but she flew down the back straight and she was in prime position at halfway. Turkish Delight made a lot of the running, but the winner stayed on strongly to land the spoils, in 28.37, with three and a half lengths back to the long-time leader in second.
Faypoint Susie (Out Of Range Asb-Jasons Perl) made it a double for trainer Graham Holland in the opening round of the Cork Oaks as the 5-2 winner impressed with a 28.41 winning run. Always prominent, the classy performer hit the front before the final corners and she kept on well to beat the running on Goldcash Ice, by four lengths.
In the second heat, Bockos Crystal (Droopys Sydney-Vigorous Hilary) completed back-to-back wins around the Cork venue for owner Beverley Lochead and trainer Graham Holland. Turning handy from the tricky draw out wide, the even-money winner hit top gear at halfway and she pulled out all the stops to fend off Coill Bhui Wow, by the shortest of margins, in 28.45.
In the Open Sprint, Burgess Jack returned to top form with a stunning display for owner Sarah Shannon. Producing a dream start along the inside of the track, the 9-4 second favourite was in top gear throughout as he beat Ballinakill Alf, by a length and a half, in a sensational, 17.36.
Racing ended with a superb front running display from Jacktavern Bolt. Trained by Graham Holland for owners the Pillar Syndicate, he was sent off at a very generous 4-5 and the exciting tracker made no mistakes with yet another magnificent performance around the Cork circuit. In front throughout, Bolt delivered an excellent run to win easily, in 28.36.