OAKS AND SUMMER CUP TO PROVIDE FIREWORKS IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
The second round of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks is the main course at Shelbourne Park this evening with the first-round heats of the Summer Cup acting as the perfect hors d’oeuvres.
From start to finish, tonight’s card at the famous Ringsend venue is packed with quality and the racing should be right out of the top drawer.
BRILLIANT KAMALA CAN SHINE BRIGHTEST
After sending out four winners in the opening round, Liam Dowling can again expect a big night with Ballymac Kamala his team captain.
She was stunning in her opening round success, posting a sensational 27.89, and is likely to go to traps the hot favourite for Heat 3.
As fate would have it, the two greatest dangers to her come in the form of her kennel companions and impressive opening round scorers Ballymac Allory and Ballymac Siun. Allory has a kind draw on the fence and can race prominently form the start, while Ballymac Siun is again likely to stay on strongly, although she is also capable of a fast start.
However, Ballymac Kamala is on the crest of a wave at present and remains a confident selection to emerge on top. Of the remaining runners, Clan Sapphire has the pace and class to get involved if putting her best foot forward, while Lennies Madge will finish fast and could take advantage of there was any traffic up front.
CROIA AND GWENNIE TO GO TOE TO TOE
Ballymac Gwennie represents team Dowling in the opening heat and is likely to play a big part if starting on terms from an ideal draw in six.
Droopys Croia also lines out in this contest and is likely to attract plenty of support after going fast last week.
She is hugely exciting and will again make a bold bid if trapping on terms. Blessed with massive pace to the turn and down the back straight, she could possibly get first run on Ballymac Gwennie and that could make the difference. There isn’t much between the remaining quartet in terms of quality but each will struggle to match the big two in the market should they get a clear passage. Kishlawn Kudos will finish fast and is just chosen ahead of trap to line opening round winner Danikas Diamond.
MAG TO PRODUCE SOME MAGIC
Heat 2 is absolutely stacked. It’s no exaggeration to suggest that any of the six could win this evening or go on to make the final.
The market is likely to suggest that Silent Noelle and Magical Mag are the most likely winners but it would be very unwise to completely dismiss the claims of Rapido Ivy, Youandme Babe, Ballymac Lix or Ballymac Chantry.
Indeed, any of the six are capable of going close to 28 seconds on a given day but much will come down to the draw and the start. Slight preference is for the fast-starting, Derby finalist, Magical Mag, who ran such a big race on her return after layoff in the opening round. She is chosen to lead home Silent Noelle and Ballymac Chantry.
BUNDLE TO TOPPLE RIVALS
After capturing the Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles in superb fashion earlier in the week, Droopys Bundle can continue her winning ways in Heat 4.
With a perfect draw in red, the Robert Gleeson trained bitch need only concentrate on going up as fast as she can.
If avoiding traffic, she may have too much for her rivals and is chosen to emerge a comfortable winner at the expense of Magical Hope and Susies Shadow. Rosetta Stone, Deerjet Matilda and Amigos Star complete the line-up and may need to be at their very best to land a telling blow.
CHERRY RIPE FOR A BIG RUN
Heat 5 is a fascinating contest with Singalong Cherry likely to head the market after running well in the Champion Bitch Stake decider earlier this week.
She boasts a 28.15 success around Shelbourne last month in the Puppy Oaks and if repeating anything like that form she will be hard to beat.
Comeon Me Girl has shown plenty of promise but is overdue a clear passage. If she does get room into the bend, she can play a big part for Mark Robinson. Of the remainder, Carrigeen Whit and Highview Carol seem most likely to get involved.
LENNIES SET FOR DREAM RUN
Paul Hennessy seems likely to have a big say in the final heat with Lennies Dream and Lennies Ash both expected to mount a bold bid.
Lennies Dream returned from a long layoff to chase home Ballymac Kamala last week and seems the most likely pace-setter.
She was one of the stars of the early rounds of last year’s Derby and may prove too hot to handle for her rivals. Lennies Ash continues to improve and is likely to stay on strongly. If she were to find an extra yard of early speed, she could quickly emerge as a big player but her kennel companion remains a confident selection. Of the remaining runners, Knockduff Diva ran on strongly in defeat last week and can finish in the frame.
BECKS TO STRIKE IN SUMMER CUP
The Summer Cup also returns with some very talented greyhounds chasing the €10,000 prize.
A number of established names are set to flex their muscles but it is one of the lesser exposed runners that is going to attract most attention.
Champion Open Unraced winner Carrick Becks has his first start since capturing the Kilkenny showpiece and has been handed an ideal draw in the red jacket for his Shelbourne debut. He faces some sharp rivals in Heat 4 but is set to confirm his standing as one of the most exciting young greyhounds in training.
Newinn Spot and Harlequin Gee Up are expected to go up fast from a middle draw but a rails berth can swing things the way of Carrick Becks.
ALEXA AND BOOMER APPEAL
Angry Alexa faces an ideal draw in the opening heat and, if producing one of her better starts, can make all to emerge a good winner over Rallying Syd and Ballymac Jedgar.
Heat 2 is wide open but Beautiful Paul boasts some fine form around Shelbourne in the past. If starting on terms, he can assert into the bend to lead home his rivals.
2025 Maiden Derby champion Shanahee Boomer is the obvious choice in Heat 3. A real professional, he gets the nod to lead home his old foe Exclusion Order and Hackney Shorts.
Heat 5 is undoubtedly the most open of the six. Picking a likely winner is not easy but Coolemount Spy is improving all the time and has big pace from the second turn. With a clear passage, he could prove difficult to contain.
The final heat is also very competitive but an inside draw may swing it the ay of Miami Hans. Of his rivals, Glengar Phantom and Mutts Maximus can offer the most resistance.