MADGE ON A MISSION IN LIMERICK OAKS SECOND ROUND

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the J.P. & Pauline Ryan Memorial Limerick Oaks produced some exceptional action, and more of the same is anticipated later tonight as the three second-round heats take centre stage.

Magical Poppet and Beaming Zen shared the honours against the clock last weekend, both posting a smart 28.54. The former also spearheaded a one-two for Patrick Guilfoyle, with litter sister Magical Hope landing her heat in similarly impressive fashion. With an even spread across tonight’s three heats and four qualifying places available in each, a thrilling night of action looks assured.

In the opening heat, Magical Hope sets the standard after a thoroughly impressive off-the-pace display in round one. Donal and Pat Guilfoyle’s Christmas Oaks finalist powered down the back straight before drawing clear late on to score by an extending three and a half lengths. The daughter of Dorotas Wildcat again wears the familiar orange jacket and, with a sharper exit than her 1.44 sectional last time, could dominate proceedings. Kennel companion Kazankina rates as the biggest threat. The well-bred daughter of Orchestrate – Raha Mofo stayed on strongly last weekend to finish just two and a half lengths behind Rossa Abi, who she meets again tonight. Expected to strip fitter after a recent break, her trap six berth could prove advantageous. Rossa Abi also commands respect after producing a career-best effort when clocking 28.65 despite encountering trouble. Thomas O’Donovan’s charge is clearly on an upward curve but may need further improvement from trap two.

CAN POPPY GO BACK-TO-BACK?

Heat two sees Magical Poppet strongly fancied to progress. A winner of five from twenty-one, she possesses a potent blend of early pace and stamina. The daughter of Dorotas Wildcat broke smartly last weekend with a 1.30 sectional and, while a repeat is not guaranteed, her draw in trap two looks ideal. Securing a good position early would make her very hard to contain. Galway Oaks winner Badly Behaving looms as the principal danger. While she was unable to live with Lennies Madge’s searing back-straight pace in round one, that is forgivable, and she remains a major contender for outright honours. Drawn in three, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout is capable of pinging the lids and is expected to take significant improvement from her first Limerick outing in some time. Of the remainder, Arrow Twirl continues to progress for Andrew Lawlor and, given she is just a March pup, holds definite claims of progression.

MADGE TO MARCH ON

The final heat of the night will see Lennies Madge and Beaming Zen lock horns, with the vote going to the former to come out on top for Lee Craze and Paul Hennessy. The coursing-bred daughter of Justice Minister boasts a huge engine and showcased her ability when sweeping past Badly Behaving down the back last weekend. Having trailed the field early on that occasion, she can be expected to take a healthy chunk off her 28.66 with a clearer passage. Drawn in six, a sharper break would make her difficult to oppose. Beaming Zen is the obvious danger for Christopher Connolly and Corona Ryan. The daughter of Doolin Duke displayed brilliant pace and power to see off Youandme Babe in round one and, if anything, was finishing strongest of all. Should she take ownership of the rails from trap two, she will be a tough nut to crack thereafter. In what is the strongest of the three heats, Youandme Babe is well drawn and cannot be ruled out, while Burgess Bonnie again has the early speed to disrupt matters. Add in Ridgemount Sky and Snuggie Tasha, both of whom comfortably dipped under 29 seconds in the opening round, and this is a heat worthy of any Oaks final.

WIDE-OPEN NOVICE FINAL

On the supporting card, the €1,200-to-the-winner final of the Book Your Trials Online ON2 525 looks an intriguing contest, with Glideaway Duke aiming to build on a commanding semi-final victory for Thomas O’Donoghue.

Successful in his semi-final in 28.89, the strapping 78lb July pup impressed with his strength throughout and appears a type certain to improve with age. Drawn in trap five, he is unlikely to be inconvenienced and has shown real consistency at traprise to suggest he could make every yard of the running. However, this is a tightly matched final on the clock and Tyrap Bucko lines up as the sole unbeaten runner. David Carroll’s charge has finished powerfully from halfway in both outings to date and, from a favourable trap three, the son of Dromana Bucko may step out a touch sharper. Also lining up are Wi Can Trey, Boozed Wish, Bonnies Boy and Darocketman. All look greyhounds with a bright future, but Wi Can Trey stands out on debut form, having posted a rapid 28.81 in the opening round. Unlikely to break as poorly tonight as he did in the semis, he may pose the sternest challenge to Glideaway Duke in what promises to be a competitive final.