SUMMER CUP AND OAKS TO DELIGHT AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

There is plenty to get excited about on offer at Shelbourne Park this evening with the semi-finals of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks and the final of the hugely valuable Shelbourne Summer Cup the standout of a tremendous ten-race card.

Thow in the opening round heats of the wonderful Shelbourne Champion 550 and it’s a night of exceptional racing.

A FASCINATING SUMMER CUP

The betting ahead of the Shelbourne Summer Cup decider suggests that the winner is most likely going to come from the duo of Epic Ace and Carrick Scholsey but that doesn’t tell the full story.

There is no doubt they are exceptionally talented and deserve their billing but the draw has thrown a spanner into the works with the pair drawn a long way from the fence.

There is also a strong chance they could come together in the opening yards, potentially leaving the door open for one of the remaining competitors.

ACE A BIG PLAYER

Epic Ace is drawn in four and will need to get to the front early if he is to come out on top.

He has stunning early speed but isn’t always a clean trapper. Should he come away racing, he could indeed set the pace but a tardy start could see him short of room with Carrick Scholsey likely to edge inwards from trap five.

SCHOLSEY FACING A TOUGH DRAW

Carrick Scholsey is a potential superstar.

He is two from two around Shelbourne but both of those wins came from trap one. Tonight, he needs to hit the ground running from five. Whether he move inwards or not, he needs to show the sort of speed that has seen him go unbeaten through the competition to this point.

One suspects, if he does clear Epic Ace in the opening yards without finding traffic, he could emerge as the one to beat but there are a couple of ifs in that scenario.

ICE IS NO BACK MARKER

Clona Ice must be respected from what could turn out to be a dream draw in six.

Although not as fast as most of his rivals into the turn, he will finish at speed. There is a chance, should Carrick Scholsey cut inwards from five, that he finds himself with the freedom to Shelbourne Park in the early exchanges.

In that case he would probably turn closer than normal, which would be a problem for his rivals in the latter stages. He certainly represents value and won’t be shy of support.

DESTINY A BIG PRICE

Innfield Destiny, Surprise Reunion and Gwan My Boy complete the field.

The first named ran up the Juvenile Derby last year but doesn’t get his nose in front too often. Not blessed with early dash, he moves through the gears from the second turn, often leaving himself with too much to do. There is every chance he will make the frame but is a big price to score.

REUNION LOOKING TO SLIP CLEAR

Surprise Reunion is in terrific form at present. He displayed massive early speed in his latest defeat and is expected to race prominently into the bend.

Were he to turn in front, which is very possible, he could prove a tough nut to crack and isn’t dismissed lightly.

MY BOY KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

That leaves us with Gwan My Boy. He too has shown plenty of speed to the third turn in recent outings.

He ran out of steam last week after failing to dictate but is another that could be in the firing line going into the turn. He would almost certainly need to dictate the pace if he is to emerge on top but stranger things have happened.

SCHOLSEY CAN STRIKE

It’ a fascinating final with many possible outcomes.

Epic Ace is a serious performer and is greatly respected but the nod just goes to Carrick Scholsey. If he can find a start, he might just have enough to slip around in front despite a tough draw. Expect Clona Ice to play a part also. Best of luck to all.

SPORTING PRESS ONLINE EDITION IRISH OAKS SEMIS

The opening semi-final of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks is a real head scratcher.

The only certainty is that Brockagh Justine will take them along if trapping on terms. She has superb early speed and is expected to lead until the third bend at least but she will be vulnerable when things get serious as so many of her rivals are big finishers.

Innfield Riddle and Bowadis Raven are perhaps best equipped to chase her in the early stages but one suspects the winner might come from the fast-finishing pair of Lemon Orla or Youandme Babe, although Ballymac Marcia isn’t ignored either.

Lemon Orla has been finishing like a train in recent starts and could potentially turn close in tonight’s contest. Should the gaps open at the right time, she is certain to make a bold bid for Tom O’Neill and is just chosen ahead of Youandme Babe and Innfield Riddle, who has a kind draw on the fence.

MAGIC MARTHA FACING A TOUGH TEST

The second semi-final is packed with quality.

Glengar Martha is a worthy favourite after setting the standard in each of the three rounds to date. She is clearly in the form of her career and has been lucky with the draw but she can’t afford any mistakes with so many stars waiting in the wings.

Ballymac Danica is the most interesting of her rivals. A true superstar when on song, she is slowly returning to her best form after seasonal rest and won in good style last week. If she were to take another step forward, she could really put it up to the favourite. She has a favourable draw in two and her supporters will be hoping she can match her latest 2.02 sectional.

Clonmore Alice is another in outstanding form at present. A kennel companion to Lemon Orla, she has a very different racing style. Blessed with fine early speed and the all-round speed to be a serious Oaks contender, she will have plenty of followers from trap three.

Carrigmore Freya is another in the form of her career. Drawn in five, she needs to be electric at boxes given the make up of the race but she did post a 1.98 split last week so it is possible.

Sadies Lucy and Blackeyed Turbo complete the line-up and while both will be big prices, they are also most than capable of going fast.

It’s a wonderful contest but on current form Glengar Martha has to be the choice. That doesn’t mean she will have things easy but she has exceptional pace and can race prominently into the turn before perhaps making her move into the back straight. Ballymac Danica is nominated as the main threat but in reality, each of the remainder must be respected.

Shelbourne Champion 550

The three heats of the Shelbourne Champion 550 are packed with quality.

Four to qualify means there is a little bit of wiggle room but the big guns will be hoping to come to the fore. Toolmaker Josepe is given the nod in the opening heat although he carried no luck in his only previous start at Shelbourne Park.

He is amongst the most powerful young trackers in training and would take some stopping if coming away on terms.

His rivals include Left Corner Back, who has shown real ability, the ever-consistent Fun Inthe Run and Sawdust Chaps and Rural Ana, both of which displayed real ability in the Produce Stakes. Razldazl Kamaria completes a superb line-up. All six are capable of a big run but Toolmaker Josepe is drawn to come home in front for Robert Gleeson and Willie Hyslop.

JOEY TO JUMP TO IT

Produce Stakes champion Lemon Joey is the one to beat in Heat 2.

Fresh from his Clonmel heroics, he returns to a track where he has shone in the past. He is drawn in four and can race prominently before asserting down the back straight.

Ballinaveala Bolt and Rural Pest can emerge the main dangers but Lemon Joey has the form in the book and is a relatively confident selection.

JOE TO SEND OUT A WARNING

Ballinabola Joe is the clear favourite for outright glory after a couple of massive runs in the early rounds of the English Derby.

He makes his Shelbourne debut but looks made for the 550yd trip and will be almost impossible to contain if starting on terms.

His rivals include the wonderful National Puppy Stake winner Untold Rufiyaa and the very talented Razldazl Edward amongst others but Ballinabola Joe has the qualities of a potential Derby champion and he can burn off his rivals to the third turn before coasting home clear.