LADIES SET TO SHINE AS OAKS COMMENCES
Ian Fortune
As we get into summer, it’s tradition for the ladies to take centre-stage at Shelbourne Park in the Sporting Press Irish Oaks.
The bitch classic gets underway in Dublin this evening and the resulting action should be right out of the top drawer.
The layers are struggling to pinpoint a clear favourite with Shebetheone, Ballymac Danica, Glengar Martha and Unanimous Roxy all prominent in the market while they are joined by one of last year’s champions, A Lucky Julie.
The Jerry Melia trained star dead-heated with Fleadh Saraide in last year’s decider and the pair could have the opportunity to meet again with the latter also amongst the 54-strong entry.
THE BEST SAVED UNTIL LAST
In terms of picking out the contest of the round, it’s impossible to look beyond the final heat.
Recent Puppy Oaks winner Shebetheone, the brilliant Glengar Martha and incredibly talented Ballymac Danica are amongst the best in training and their clash will be unmissable.
Ballymac Danica is perhaps the most interesting runner in the entire classic. A real star in her youth, she had an injury interrupted 2024 but still managed to post new figures for the 525yd trip at Limerick in the early rounds of the Kirby Memorial. She has a kind draw on the fence but this is a very tough reintroduction.
Shebetheone comes into this contest on the crest of a wave. After going unbeaten through the Puppy Oaks, she established herself as one of the main fancies for Irish Oaks glory and is likely to have a big say in the outcome but slight preference is for Glengar Martha.
She has terrific early speed, has the strength to see out 550yds and potentially further and comes into the classic on the back of a very encouraging run in defeat. If she finds one of her famed fast starts, she could potentially set the pace, leaving Shebetheone and Ballymac Danica with quite a task to reel her in.
JULIE READY TO GO
A Lucky Julie takes her place in the stripes in Heat 2.
A Derby finalist when last seen in late November, she moved well in a recent sprint trial at Newbridge suggesting she is ready to go. She takes on some useful rivals including Badminton Shiv, Omey Mist and Ballinabola Emma but A lucky Julie really should be too good if turning close to the pace.
SARAIDE HAS TALENTED RIVALS TO CONTEND WITH
Fleadh Saraide wears the red jacket in Heat 8 and is likely to race prominently.
A return to all-female company will certainly suit and she is entitled to plenty of respect. She needs to be at her best, however, as both Unanimous Roxy and Clonmore Alice are capable of going fast.
Satin Tango is another with some eye-catching form. A recent winner in 28.12 around Curraheen Park, she is respected. If Unanimous Roxy repeats her best form, she could emerge as the one to beat but there is no room for error.
BABE TO OPEN PROCEEDINGS
The opening heat of the round is competitive.
Youandme Babe is the most likely favour but she is returning after a layoff and tends to do all her best work from halfway. If she is ready to go, she could be very difficult to contain but Ballymac Marcia can give her plenty to think about.
BONDI TO PROVE TOO STRONG
Crafty Bondi has a huge engine and, if avoiding traffic, can come home in front in Heat 3.
She has posted 28.06 around Shelbourne in the past and anything close to that would suffice this evening. The consistent Hawkfield Abbie can emerge as the main threat, while Coolavanny Shona will finish fast but Crafty Bondi is likely to have too much ammunition for her rivals.
MINT LOOKS FRESH
Heat 4 is an interesting affair.
One suspects the three pups in the line-up can come to the fore with Ballymac Mint expected to improve on previous form to come home in front. The daughter of Ballymac Best and the brilliant Ballymac Ariel gives the impression there is better to come and she can assert from a kind draw in the stripes. Of her rivals, Annadown Ellie and Goodnitekathleen can emerge as the main dangers.
ORLA LOOKS THE PART
Heat 5 is a wide-open affair.
Lemon Orla has the best of the draw on the fence and can make a bold bid, especially if starting on terms. But if she misses the start for the third time running, it could leave the door open for the likes of Roanna Bonnie, Coolavanny Ogie and Glory Lara.
KOURNIKOVA TO DELIVER A WINNER
There is plenty of quality on show in Heat 6 but slight preference is for Juvenile Classic finalist Kournikova.
She came home well to win on her Shelbourne Park debut in 28.43 and is likely to go even faster.
Of her rivals, Unreal Unreal, Blackeyed Turbo and Carrigmore Freya are very talented but are returning after a layoff and will need to be forward, while Da Bold Rose raced at Newbridge on Friday. Ballymac Riddle is bred in the purple and open to improvement but remains a maiden.
ROSSA TO ROCK
Westway Rossa has built an impressive record and can add another win to her tally in Heat 7 where she faces some talented rivals including Droopys Bundle.
The latter looked a real prospect around Newbridge in the Brownstown Tango Open Bitch unraced and will emerge as a big player if coming away on terms.
Of the others, the strong running Clonfert Annie will seek to grab a qualifying spot in the closing yards. Westway Rossa has all the qualities to become a serious Oaks contender, however, and she is chosen to dominate.