SHORT GRIP POWERS TO CLONBRIEN TREATY LIMERICK OAKS SUCCESS

Peter Farrell

Kindly sponsored by the Murphy family, the final of the 2024 Clonbrien Treaty Limerick Oaks took place on Saturday night and it went the way of Short Grip, who followed up her brilliant semi final success to cement her status as one of the fastest females in training.

Boasting a handsome first prize of €4,000 for just two outings, Short Grip had set the standard one-week prior with a blistering 28.13 success and, as a result, she arrived in Limerick expected to go very close in the decider. Despite lowering the colours of Ballymac Danica on that occasion, Liam Dowling’s incredible track record holder would have still many people’s idea of the eventual winner, however, she was a reported non-runner in the feature and this opened the door for Short Grip to run out a deserved winner.

BLISTERING START

Given Ballymac Danica wasn’t in the lineup, Short Grip was the obvious favourite, however, her starting price of 7/4 looked very generous given the manner of victory last time out. Running from trap four, the brilliant 2023 Juvenile Derby runner-up took no prisoners in the opening yards as she bolted from black to set a phenomenal 1.19 sectional. Within the blink of an eye, Philip Cocoman’s lady manufactured daylight.

DREW CLEAR

Displaying exceptional early speed over her rivals, Short Grip held a one length advantage on the approach to the opening corner and it was Annie On Faya, who faced a tricky draw in six, that followed her around, also showing fine early dash for Murt Leahy. Tracking expertly at this point, Short Grip quickly doubled her advantage over her nearest rival as the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Mystical Luna flew into the penultimate bend to stop the third bend sectional clock at 15.93. At this point, Annie On Faya was coming under pressure from the reserve, Newport Pier, and she took control of second place heading into the bottom two bends.

FITTING END TO LIMERICK OAKS

Short Grip continued to set a terrific gallop out in front rounding the bottom two bends and barring incident, she was about to land a deserved big pot given her performances throughout 2023. Newport Pier was running the race of her life in second after breezing past Annie On Faya and the 10/1 chance was certainly closing on the approach to the winning line. However, Short Grip had assembled a strong

advantage after her early exploits and she was never under threat of being reeled in. Crossing the line one and a half lengths clear of Newport Pier, the clock was stopped in an incredible 28.11 and many congratulations are extended to the Cocoman’s. The podium was completed by Annie On Faya as she finished three and a half lengths back in third.

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LIMERICK 600 ACTION

Elsewhere on the card, the opening round heats of the Limerick Stadium 600 got underway and the standard was set in emphatic fashion by Valinor in the final heat. Trained by Declan McDonagh for Paul Horig and Catherine Darcy, the 7/2 chance was seeking to double her career tally and she took a flier from five to lead early on from Karacreek Ranch in second. Holding a three length advantage at this point, the daughter of Good News and Galadriel was put under pressure by her rival on the long run home, however, had enough in reserve to hold on by one length. The time was 32.46.

The opening heat was landed by the even money favourite, Corporate Jack. Running out the easiest winner on the night, Declan Beary’s August 22’ whelp made light work as he led from trap one. In doing so, the son of Vic Vega and Ontheredcarpert drew clear of his rivals to assemble an unassailable lead. Crossing the line with a massive eleven lengths in hand over Ballyhooly Belle, the time was 32.72.

The remaining heat saw Fast Fit Pennie (3/1) take her fine Galway form to Limerick for John Quinn. Leading early from trap two, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Fast FIt Maeve was in control throughout the contest and despite Honest Endeavour making a good fist of things late on, Quinn’s charge emerged a two length winner, in 33.10.