KAMALA AND IVY SECURE OAKS FINAL SPOT AFTER IMPRESSING IN SEMIS
Ian Fortune
Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Kamala claimed a fifth straight win at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night to ensure that she will start a hot favourite for next weekend’s final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks.
Standing in her way will be Rapido Ivy after she too impressed in her semi-final, making virtually all.
KAMALA SHOWS HER CLASS
Ballymac Kamala faced a potentially very tricky draw on the fence in the opening heat but despite a tardy start, she found a way to emerge on top, reeling in long-time leader Clan Sapphire in the closing stages.
The latter broke fastest from four and was soon at the head of affairs. Kishlawn Kudos was also fast into stride and was prominent into the bend with Ballymac Gwennie on her outside but both lost their chance on the turn with Ballymac Kamala forcing her way up the inside.
Giving Kishlawn Kudos a hefty bump on the turn, who in turn hampered Ballymac Gwennie, Ballymac Kamala turned second, some three and a half lengths behind Clan Sapphire. She set about closing the gap into the third turn. Just a length and half down between the past two bends, she stayed wide of the leader to challenge on the run in.
In a desperate finish, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete got up in the final yards to beat Clan Sapphire by a neck in 28.20. Ballymac Gwennie recovered from her opening bend traffic to repel Droopys Bundle to take third, two and a half lengths further adrift.
IVY LOOKS RAPID FOR CRONINS
Things were a bit more straightforward for Rapido Ivy in the second heat with the Peter Cronin trained daughter of Grangeview Ten and Chelms Ramona electric from the inside box to lead from the opening stride.
As she moved off the fence, it got a bit tight in the middle of the track. Rapido Ivy slipped around in front and was always going to be difficult to reel in. The battle for second and third was far more competitive.
Silent Noelle seemed to be getting the better of the argument after finally forcing her way into second and she charged into the third turn in an attempt to challenge the leader but this proved her undoing. When failing to make the gap on the fence, she checked her stride, as id Ballymac Allory in third. This would ultimately cost both their chance of qualifying.
Micheal Cronin’s Rapido Ivy continued to run right to the line to emerge a three parts of a length winner from the fast-finishing Highview Carol in 28.28. Lennies Ash also finished fast to reel in both Silent Noelle and Ballymac Allory to take third, just a length behind Highview Carol.
Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks
Final draw
1 CLAN SAPPHIRE
2 LENNIES ASH
3 RAPIDO IVY
4 BALLYMAC KAMALA
5 HIGHVIEW CAROL (M)
6 BALLYMAC GWENNIE (W)
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BOOMER QUICKEST IN SUMMER CUP
Shanahee Boomer and Carrick Becks both went fastest to emerge impressive winners of their respective semi-finals heats in the Shelbourne Summer Cup.
The former went marginally faster, getting off the front once again to win in 28.10 or Kieran Lynch and the Bate The Ditch Syndicate.
The 2025 Maiden Derby champion broke smartly and contested the lead in the early yards before getting the better of Beautiful Paul into the turn. Driving across his rival, forcing him to check, Shanahee Boomer increased his lead into the back straight.
It was all very comfortable thereafter for the son of Good News and Droopys Dream and he emerged a two length winner over the fast-finishing Kilcolgan Eddie.
BECKS IMRESSES ALSO
Carrick Becks was also to the fore from the outset, although he had to work hard to get the better of Old Alaska on his inner to the turn, while also trying to contain Newinn Spot on his outer.
Once turning in front, it quickly became apparent he was going to be hard to stop.
Trained by Robert Gleeson for Thomas Glynn, the son of Dolin Duke and Droopys Beaufort moved with purpose through the remainder of the contest to win by five lengths from the staying on Coolemount Spy in 28.12. Newinn Spot was a neck adrift in third. The winner seems to be getting a great education in the competition and continues to improve.
Shelbourne Summer Cup
Final draw
1 BEAUTIFUL PAUL
2 NEWINN SPOT
3 CARRICK BECKS
4 SHANAHEE BOOMER
5 COOLEMOUNT SPY (M)
6 KILCOLGAN EDDIE (W)