A FESTIVE FEAST ON OFFER AT SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
There’s a superb card on offer at Shelbourne Park this evening with so much to look forward to.
The final of the Gold Collar should provide a spectacle, while a place in the final of the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks is on the line with twelve of Ireland’s fastest females taking their place in the semi-finals of the end of year showpiece.
KAMARIA SET FOR A GOLDEN RUN
An impressive €4,000 will go to the winner of the Gold Collar and there are plenty with realistic claims in the decider.
Razldazl Kamaria and Frenchfort Madam came home in front in their respective semi-finals and both seem certain to go up fast.
Much will depend on which of the duo gets first run. The remaining quartet all tend to do their best work from the second bend, which could make for a dramatic finish with the big finishers coming at the early pacers.
Razldazl Kamaria seems to be getting better with each outing after a layoff and is perhaps the most likely pace-setter and winner. Dolores Ruth will be happy with the determination he displayed last week to repel Bogger Pro and he is again chosen to come home in front.
He can get first run on Frenchfort Madam before going on to make every inch. Frenchfort Madam is respected on the strength of her recent efforts, while Daleroad Mya and Pennys Wildpopy can finish fast to battle it out for third spot. Dalakhani and Julies Gem complete the line-up. Neither are short of pace but they will need the principles to make mistakes if they are to land a telling blow.
EXPECT MAGICAL TO FIRE
Magical On Fire and Ballydoyle Tina will head the betting for their respective heats in the Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks.
Magical On Fire wears red in the opening semi and seems ready to go fast. The Laurels champion flew from the second turn in recent defeats but a switch to the inside of the track will make all the difference.
Expect Pat Guilfoyle’s star to race prominently before making her power and pace count. 2024 Bitch of the Year and Oaks winner A Lucky Julie is returning to her best with each and every outing and is clearly a big threat.
She will need to be at her very sharpest in the early yards, however, as there is little chance of catching Magical On Fire is she gets first run. Singalong Polly is et to finish at speed, Burgess Hazel and Lone Calling will need to be at their sharpest early, while Templeville Meg has been handed a very tough draw.
In short, Magical On Fire has so much in her favour and her price is likely to reflect this view. She can race prominently before powering clear to the third turn. A Lucky Julie and Singalong Polly can chase her home.
TINA FACING A TOUGH TEST
Ballydoyle Tina is one of the four for Graham Holland in the second heat.
The Puppy Oaks champion is a short price to continue her winning ways but needs to be on her toes in the early exchanges as Brockagh Justine is certain to go up fast on her inside, while defending champion Silverhill Freya may edge on her from four.
It means that any mistakes at trap rise could leave Ballydoyle Tina struggling for room into the turn. Certainly, her connections would be happy to see her turn in the first three. If doing so, she may still prove too good for her rivals.
Brockagh Justine is the most likely leader and can’t be completely dismissed but Silverhill Freya is perhaps the greatest threat. She seems to be finding top form and with a fast start is undoubtedly fast enough to mount a bold bid.
Rural Ana has a kind draw in five and is very capable of making the frame, while both Aghadown Flight and Magical Hope may need to be at their very best to cause an upset. Ballydoyle Tina remains the choice but at short prices, a watching brief is best advised.
REAL QUALITY ON SHOW IN OPEN 525
The semi-finals of the valuable Bernard Barry AA0 525 proceed after the Oaks semis and both heats are packed with quality.
There will be quite a battle into the turn in the first semi with Cheque For Cash and Elite Kursk perhaps most likely to go up in front but Lemon Joey, Droichead Nua, Burgess Rapid and the very talented Bushpark Mel are also capable of a fast start.
Picking a winner with any real confidence is something of an impossible task but preference is for Cheque For Cash to get the better of Lemon Joey although there would be no shock result in a race of this nature.
BRILLIANT BARRY LOOKS THE PART
Sawdust Barry is an obvious choice in the second heat, although he too must take on some very talented rivals.
The Murt Leahy trained star seems to be setting himself up for a big 2026. Most impressive in the
Semi-finals of the National Puppy Stake last month, he returned to winning ways last week, dominating for a comfortable success in 28.50 on a track rated on the slow side.
He has tremendous pace to the third turn and is chosen to get first run on the likes of Newinn Hoffa (set to race as Bockos Gold), Dear Sir and Harry Houdini.