SILVERHILL FREYA STARS IN SEMI FINALS OF THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

SILVERHILL FREYA (Ballymac Bolger-Silverhill Joyce) set the standard in the semi finals of the €7,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Trained by Graham Holland for owner Eugene Buckley, the star performer was making it four wins on the bounce as 9-4 second favourite delivered another outstanding display. Soon in front, the classy lady was flying down the back straight and in truth, she always looked good up front.

Glengar Martha was another to catch the eye back in second, showing plenty of speed to get within a length and a half, in 28.33. Four and a half lengths back to Bushpark Mel in third.

DEAD HEAT

In the second semi final, both Deelish Nora (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Orna), trained by John McGee for J S Porter and Unanimous Roxy (Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna), trained by Pat Buckley for Ciaran O’Sullivan, crossed the winning line together. 

Always prominent, Roxy, a 5-1 shot, was digging deep throughout and it was Nora, a 5-2 chance, who stayed on well late on to force the dead heat. A 28.63 winning run, with half a length back to Grangeclare Lady in third place. 

OTHER RACES

In the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Trial Stake race, it was Morrigan Fay (Malachi-Droopys Megan) who scored for trainer Kieran Lynch and owners John Hyde and James Spillane. Only four went to traps but it produced a fantastic finish with the 7-4 winner getting the better of Colour Matcher late on. A 28.66 winning display with just a short head separating the front two.

Lynch also took the closing race, this time with Glenduff Meena (Confident Rankin-Newhall Patch) who scored for owners The Leen Family Syndicate. The 5-2 winner delivered a fine front running winning display, clocking 28.63 when coming home a length and a half clear of Ballyhooly Bruno.

Barefoot On Fire (Grangeview Ten-Jaytee Osprey) impressed when making all the running in race number seven, an A0. Trained by Paul Hennessy for owners Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, the 4-5 favourite just made the corner in front and from here, the classy winner made all. Da Tapper Flynn was staying on nicely late on, a length the margin, in 28.45. 

In the following race, an AA0, Ardera Sam led all the way for trainer Graham Holland and owners the Telly Tubby Syndicate. The 4-5 favourite was making a winning return to racing action when showing big early gears. It was a 28.59 winning run, a length back to the running on Karacreek Ranch.