CAN FREYA SOLVE THE OAKS PUZZLE?
Ian Fortune
Six of Ireland’s finest females will bid to become a classic winner at Shelbourne Park this evening as the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks comes to an enthralling finish.
In the long history of the bitch classic, there has scarcely been a more competitive final and all six sets of connections will travel to Dublin in the belief that they can win the impressive €25,000 purse.
ORLA FAVOURITE WITH LAYERS
The layers have settled on Lemon Orla as favourite and it’s easy to see why.
The Tom O’Neill trained daughter of Jacob Tashadelek possesses incredible pace and strength but she will be attempting to do something that doesn’t happen often, come from off the pace to win an Oaks.
For all her qualities, she is not the fastest into the turn and the gaps will need to open at the right time. Of course, it’s very possible that will happen and no matter which of the other five bitches sets the pace, there will be connections glancing back to see where Lemon Orla has turned.
IMPROVING RIDDLE GREATLY RESPECTED
Innfield Riddle races from two.
The sole puppy in the line-up, she is getting better with each run and her new owner Barry Clancy will be hoping for an almost immediate return on his investment, much like the connections of Crafty Shivoo a couple of years back.
Formerly known as Ballymac Riddle, she has shown fine early speed in recent outings and also seems to be strengthening up. Should she turn in front, which is very possible, there is nothing to say she can’t improve on recent clocks and hold on for a famous success. Certainly, that is where her chance lies. It’s simple, if she doesn’t lead, she doesn’t win. But were she to turn in front, anything is possible.
LUCY HAS OBVIOUS CLAIMS
Sadies Lucy is comes into tonight’s contest in exceptional form.
She has really grown into the competition and her semi-final success is clear evidence of the fact. She is a real all-rounder with fine pace from start to finish and Paul Duffy and Gerry Daly will be hoping she can continue her superb run of form.
A draw inside Innfield Riddle would have been better but there is no reason she can’t have a huge say in the outcome. Indeed, she seems certain to race prominently and recent evidence would suggest she would take some catching if turning in front. A fast start would greatly aid her case.
CAN BLACKEYED ENGAGE THE TURBO?
The hugely powerful Blackeyed Turbo is drawn in four for Kevin Losty and the ‘Blackeyed’ man, Steve Henry.
The vast majority of her racing has come around Shelbourne Park and she fully deserves her place in the final after a series of fine efforts.
She is one of the outsiders of the party but is more than fast enough to get involved. Any traffic amongst the likely pace-setters would play to her strengths as she is another that will be finishing with a flourish.
FREYA LOOKS RIGHT AT HOME
Carrigmore Freya is bidding to hand Graham Holland a second Oaks success after the victory of the brilliant Ballydoyle Honey back in 2015.
She is drawn in five and could well dispute favouritism come the off despite suffering a semi-final defeat.
If anything she enhanced her reputation in second, showing all sorts of pace down the back straight. It’ worth remembering she posted a rapid 1.98 in the quarter finals when coming home clear in 28.44. With two of the slower starters in the line-up on her flanks, she should have room in the early yards and can take advantage to sit right up with the pace to the turn.
She only made her Shelbourne debut in the opening round and has looked right at home. One suspects there is a big run bubbling under the surface and she is likely to mount a bold bid, perhaps from the front.
MARCIA TO FINISH AT SPEED
Ballymac Marcia completes the line-up in the stripes.
Back with the Dowling family, she has come roaring back to form in recent weeks. Although she would almost certainly prefer further these days, there is a way for her to get involved.
Much like Lemon Orla and Blackeyed Turbo, she will be finishing with real purpose and any traffic out front would play to her strengths. From an ideal draw in the stripes, she seems more likely to avoid any potential traffic than her rivals.
A WONDERFULLY COMPETITIVE FINAL
It’s a wonderfully competitive final.
There is no hot favourite and each of the finalists can get involved if things fall their way. Lemon Orla certainly appeals from the inside box but Carrigmore Freya might just have too much ammunition for her rivals if hitting the ground running.
If she negotiates a clear passage on the turn, she could potentially enter the back straight in pole position and is chosen to lead home Lemon Orla and Sadies Lucy. The best of luck to each of the finalists. May they come home safe and sound.
Shelbourne Champion 550
JOE TO GET THE JUMP ON RIVALS
The absence of Untold Rufiyaa from the opening heat is obviously a disappointment but it remains a red-hot affair with each of the five capable of going on to bigger things in the future.
This is certainly the case for Ballinabola Joe, who proved himself in the early round of the English Derby.
He may have suffered defeat in the opening round but displayed all manner of pace and he is selected to atone for that loss. If trapping on terms, don’t be surprised if he were to produce something very special. That said, nothing will come too easy in a race packed with quality.
Produce Stakes champion Lemon Joey is drawn in four and must enter calculations, while Razldazl Edward has a big reputation. Fun Inthe run boasts some fine form and has a favourable draw in the stripes, while Rural Ana has a massive engine and will be aided by a vacant box on her inner.
It really is a cracking contest but Ballinabola Joe is already been spoken of as a Derby contender and he can emerge on top at the expense of Lemon Joey and the perfectly housed Rural Ana.
CORNER BACK TO TAKE NO PRISONERS
The second heat is no less intriguing with a number of the six holding claims.
Left Corner Back is putting together a very nice card and after setting the standard in the opening round is perhaps the obvious selection.
If trapping on terms, he has both the early speed and all-round pace to get loose before staying there. Rural pest is very strong and has a kind draw in the stripes. He is seen as a serious threat, as is his kennel companion Snazzy Boss in two.
Droichead Nua is also respected after a promising run in the opening round. Left Corner Back does boast the best form on show, however, and he can lead home Rural Pest to book his place in the €7,500 decider.
Donal Beatty Memorial Corn Cuchulainn
ICE A NOTABLE ADDITION TO CORN CUCHULAINN
Donal Beatty was a doggy man to his core.
He loved nothing more than our long-tailed friends and I’m certain he would be flattered to remembered with one of the great classics named in his memory. The Donal Beatty Corn Cuchulainn gets underway this evening with four heats and there are some top-class stayers on view as well as a few potential superstars over the six-bend trip.
It seems unlikely any of those on show will be able to match the exploits of 2024 champion Tuono Charlie but never say never. One suspects that one of the major players in the competition isn’t even an official runner yet.
Clona Ice was installed as a reserve, perhaps due to the fact that he didn’t have any six-bend form, but he could make a very special stayer. Paw Mcgrath has been confirmed a non-runner after he was sold across the water, meaning Clona Ice will get into the competition.
Given the fact that Paw Mcgrath is drawn in two in the opening heat, Clona Ice is absolutely certain to take his place in this contest. That sets up a huge clash with the ante-post favourite Born To Perform.
She won her only outing over six bends in a brilliant 41.06 around Limerick and is clearly a potential star over the extended trip.
The pair are joined by last year’s Corn Cuchulainn third Droopys Comrade and the promising Ballymac Sophia making it the hottest heat of the round by some margin. Clona Ice just gets the nod, although until they actually race over the trip it’s difficult to predict if he will stay but everything suggests he will. He can lead home Born To Perform and Droopys Comrade.
BAMBI TO BOUNCE TO SUCCESS
Braveheart Bambi, a litter sister and kennel companion to Clona Ice, is selected to lead home Hello Diego for the second week running in Heat 2.
The pair met in their Novice 750 with Braveheart Bambi outstaying her classy rival.
Air Flyer and Delicate Lass are the best of the remainder but Braveheart Bambi has the potential to be a very talented stayer and is chosen to lead home Hello Diego.
CRAZE TO DOMINATE
Jaytee Craze was one of the best stayers of the latter part of 2024, winning on Derby final night and at the Winter Racing Festival.
His stunning four bend pace can again carry him clear in Heat 3 and he is a confident choice to extend his unbeaten record over six bends to four.
Callaway Hybrid also boasts some fine form over six bends and can emerge as the main danger, although he may need to lead Jaytee Craze to score which is easier said than done. In Good Time is another high-class tracker returning to six bends. He can also race prominently but may need to improve on his previous 750yd form.
BLUE HAS THE DRAW
The final heat is one of the more open.
Boylesports Blue and Keelans Joker met in their Novice 750 with the latter just getting the better of her rival. On that occasion Keelans Joker set the pace from the start and there is every chance that Boylesports Blue could reverse the form.
Darbys Dancer is also respected. The recent Open 750 winner at Curraheen Park, she will have plenty of room to race on the outside of the track and looks certain to get involved. Slight preference is for Boylesports Blue from an ideal draw on the fence. He can lead home Keelans Joker and Darbys Dancer.