EXPECT A SPECIAL START TO A SPECIAL OAKS

Ian Fortune

With only a brief interruption during World War II, the finest bitches in Ireland, and often from further afield, have been drawn to contest the Irish Oaks for almost a century.

Tonight, at Shelbourne Park, another chapter in that rich history begins as the latest renewal gets underway, marking the 35th consecutive year of sponsorship by the Sporting Press. If the quality of the line-up is any guide, the action promises to be truly special.

There are nine opening round heats and the usual blend of established stars and young, improving prospects always makes for fascinating racing. A glance at the ante-post market will highlight just how open this year’s classic is with very little price difference between the favourites and tenth choice in the market.

FIRE AND ORLA MEET IN MOUTHWATERING CLASH

Two that are prominent in the betting are previous classic winners Magical On Fire and Lemon Orla and the pair meet in the Heat 3, which is undoubtedly the contest of the round.

Laurels winner Magical On Fire lines up in the white of three, while Easter Cup winner and Shelbourne 600 runner-up Lemon Orla is in five.

Throw in the incredibly powerful Ballymac Chantry and the ideally housed young starlet Silent Noelle and it’s a race befitting the final itself. Slight preference is for Pat Guilfoyle’s Magical On Fire but nothing can be taken for granted in this contest.

ALLORY TO SET THE TONE

Ballymac Allory could establish herself as a leading Oaks contender if doing things right in the opening heart.

A winner in 28.05 on her Shelbourne debut back in early April, she has been out of luck in two subsequent starts in Dublin.

She can put those runs behind her by leading home the likes of Rapido Ivy, Lennies Madge and Goodnite Kathleen in the opening heat. This is a deep contest with the talented Good Katie and The Other Eimear completing the field.

BUNDLE HAS THE DRAW

Heat 2 is also packed with quality, although the draw will certainly favour Droopys Bundle on the fence and Ballymac Gwennie in the stripes.

The former is set to take her place in the final of the Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles on Tuesday but can go into that contest on the back of a victory this evening.

She can get first run and then hold the big finish of Ballymac Gwennie. Others respected include Singalong Polly and Youandmebabe.

LIX, CROIA AND MAG CLASH

Droopy Croia and Ballymac Lix renew rivalry in Heat 4.

The pair raced side by side into the turn in the final of the Puppy Oaks with Ballymac Lix coming out on top as her rival found traffic but there’s no guarantee of the same outcome this evening.

Throw in Derby finalist Magical Mag on her comeback run and The Other Mel and it is a cracking contest. Puppy Oaks champion Ballymac Lix is selected to come out on top but nothing can be taken for granted in this contest.

SIUN LOOKS THE PART

Ballymac Siun will be very hard to beat in Heat 5 should she produce anything close to her best.

In the absence of any other proven top-class performers, Liam Dowling’s powerful bitch is a confident choice to emerge on top. Princess Rosie can emerge as the main danger.

ASH READY TO TAKE OFF

Lennies Ash is nominated as one of the most likely winners on the card in Heat 6.

She has shown plenty of pace and promise in her short career to date and remains open to much improvement. Amigo Star is perhaps the most likely pace-setter but Lennies Ash can turn close before asserting in the second half of the contest.

Avenue Queen and Balymartin Neady both have some fine form and are respected but the main danger to the selection comes in the form of Durrow Star. A real powerhouse, she will finish at speed and can chase home Lennies Ash.

SAPPHIRE CHASING HISTORY

Only twice in the long history of the Oaks has winner been the daughter of a previous Oaks champion. Clan Sapphire will be hoping she can make it three for her sensational dam Susie Sapphire. The Francie Murray trained star is the one to beat in Heat 7 where her talented rivals include Brickhill Moana, Angry Alexa, Carrigeen Whit and Magical Hope.

There is little room for error in this contest but Clan Sapphire recently won in 28.21 around Shelbourne and a repeat of that display would be enough to see her come home in front. Brickhill Moana is in superb form at present and is a very obvious danger.

MALTILDA CAN PLAY A BIG PART

DeerjetMatilda is another due to race in the final of the Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles on Tuesday but she is also likely to have a big say in Heat 8.

A good winner at Thurles last weekend, she seems to be going the right way and has fine pace throughout.

A strong runner with the early speed to turn close to the pace she just gets the nod ahead of the promising Comeon Me Girl. The latter is returning after a short layoff but displayed plenty of promise in previous outings and is open to much improvement. Susies Shadow and Highview Carol are also respected.

KAMALA TO SEND OUT A WARNING

The final heat of the round is another superb contest.

Both Singalong Cherry and Ballymac Kamala are serious Oaks contenders and the pair line up side by side in four and five. Much will depend on the opening exchanges but after flying around in 27.87 last time, Ballymac Kamala has to get to the vote.

If she hits the ground running, her stunning early speed should carry her to the front before the corner and she can increase her advantage to the third turn. Singalong Cherry has fine pace throughout but whether she can match her rival for early speed has yet to be seen. Of the remainder, Lennies Dream would be a big player of returning to the sort of form she displayed in the early rounds of last year’s Derby. She returns after a long layoff, however.