OAKS, SUMMER CUP AND A DIAMOND TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Once again there is a stunning card on offer at Shelbourne Park this evening.
The feature is the quarter final action in the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks but there is plenty on the undercard to hold the attention including the second round of the Summer Cup and the long-awaited return of Bockos Diamon to the scene of his greatest triumph.
KAMALA CAN’T BE OPPOSED
Ballymac Kamala remains the hot favourite for Oaks glory after two stunning performances in the early rounds, smashing the 28 second barrier in both.
That means that in each of her last three outings she has gone under 28 seconds.
She joined an illusive list in doing so and could potentially become the first greyhound ever to break it four times in a row this evening. She is housed in two in the final heat and will be a red-hot favourite to see off her kennel companion Ballymac Allory.
It’s entirely possible that each of the remaining runners will be available at double figure odds, such is the perceived dominance of Kamala and Allory.
Anything other than a comfortable success for Ballymac Kamala would be seen as something of a surprise and she is nominated to again take charge into the bend before emerging a facile winner. The battle for second can go the way of Ballymac Allory, while Highview Cariol is chosen to chase them into the semi-finals.
SIUN JUST GETS NOD IN RED-HOT CONTEST
Liam Dowling also has a strong hand in the opening heat with Ballymac Siun and Ballymac Gwennie amongst the favourites.
The pair are joined by the likes of Champion Bitch Stake winner Droopys Bundle, impressive second round scorer The Other Eimear and the exciting Singalong Cherry in what is comfortably the hottest contest of the round.
Droopys Bundle comes into the contest in the form of her career and is greatly respected but a trap four draw is a slight concern.
The Other Eimear also has to negotiate a tricky draw in five and must hit the ground running to worry the judge. Ballymac Gwennie has a perfect draw in six and is certainly fast enough to make a bold bid, but she too needs to come away racing to turn close enough to threaten late.
Instead, Ballymac Siun is selected to come out on top. A powerful galloper, she is also capable of making a fast start and is drawn on the right side of her main rivals. If she contains her near neighbour Singalong Cherry into the bend, she can turn in the perfect position to strike.
The absence of Amigo Star is also likely to work in her favour. The latter was withdrawn this morning after coming in season. For that reason, Ballymac Siun is chosen to lead home Droopy Bundle and Ballymac Gwennie.
IVY WITH AN IDEAL DRAW
Rapido Ivy put herself in the Oaks picture last week, flashing from the inside box to dominate in a 28.25 success.
A week on, she again wears the red jacket and is nominated as the one to beat in Heat 2. Of her rivals, Ballymac Chantry is seen as a serious danger.
The latter is blessed with incredible pace and strength and will finish with a flourish but Rapido Ivy is very talented and would be difficult to reel in if getting loose. The four remaining runners are all strong and seem set to finish well but none of the quartet have the early speed to match Rapido Ivy should she do things right. The big two in the market, Rapido Ivy and Ballymac Chantry can come home in front with the battle for third going right down to the wire.
NOELLE CAN SHINE
The draw could again have a huge bearing on the final heat with Silent Noelle perfectly housed on the inside of the track.
With a fast start, she can quickly put herself in the perfect position to mount a decisive challenge.
Lennies Ash is improving with each outing and stands out as a big player, while Clan Sapphire and Magical Hope are also capable of mounting a bold bid, although that seems dependant on one or both making a fast start.
Silent Noelle has the biggest margin for error given her draw on the fence. She comes into tonight’s contest in tremendous form and is just chosen ahead of Lennies Ash and Magical Hope. The powerful daughter of Newinn Taylor can race prominently from the outset and is selected to lead from the opening bend.
Summer Cup
BOOMER TO FOLLOW UP
The second round of the Shelbourne Summer Cup will also provide some superb racing action and after setting the standard in the opening round, Shanahee Boomer is again expected to emerge on top from a kind draw in Heat 2.
Jumpinjohnnymac is set to be withdrawn from four and the extra space could work in the favourite of Shanahee Boomer, drawn in five. He is such a professional and is very likely to get first run into the corner and is chosen to lead home the likes of Miami Hans, Slick Sabre and Foulkscourt Cody.
EXCLUSION HAS HIS ORDERS
The opening heat is quite cut up with Jacktavern Trump (sold) and Glengar Phantom reported non-runners this morning.
Exclusion Order gets the nod. He has loads of pace but needs space to fully express himself, which he seems likely to find. Belfast Gerry is likely to go up well on his inner but Exclusion Order is set to get loose early before making every inch thereafter.
CAN BECKS SCORE?
Harlequin Gee Up and Carrick Becks meet for the second week running in Heat 3 and the pair are again likely to dominate the market.
The former emerged on top last week, showing hisearly speed to make every inch.
Carrick Becks looked a little lost in his first start at Shelbourne Park and can only improve for that experience. If the Champion Unraced winner does find a better start from four, he could quickly emerge as a big player. Given his massive promise and potential for further improvement he is chosen to reverse latest form with Harlequin Gee Up.
ALEXA HAS THE DRAW
Angry Alexa impressed last week from an inside pitch and her reward is another perfect draw on the fence in Heat 4.
A good starter with fine pace throughout, the Murt Leahy trained bitch is the one to beat.
Newinn Spot is a fascinating rival. He looked a potential superstar earlier in the year but has struggled to find his best form in recent weeks and months. He remains a serious threat to Angry Alexa but needs to get loose into the bend. Old Alaska, Down Tothe Wire and Coolemount Spy will all finish strongly and could potentially get involved.
WONDERFUL FINALE AS DIAMOND RETURNS
The return of Bockos Diamond is sure to ensure the Shelbourne Park crowd remains full to the end with the brilliant 2024 Derby champion the one to beat in the finale over 525yds.
He hasn’t been seen in racing action on these shores since the second round of last year’s Derby when winning with minimum fuss.
Sadly, a small injury led to his withdrawal ahead of the third round. His record in Dublin is nothing short of sensational. Indeed, he has only lost once around Shelbourne Park. That was a narrow defeat to Epic Ace in the opening round of the 2025 Derby. Even more incredibly, he has only twice suffered a loss in Ireland with his only other defeat coming in his second career outing behind Broadstrand Syd in the second round of the 2024 Champion Open Unraced, a competition he would go onto win.
Tonight, he faces a couple of very talented rivals in Sober Barry and Toolmaker King. Both are very talented but if Bockos Diamond avoids any bad errors, he should have too much firepower for his rivals and is a confident selection to return to racing action on the back of a comfortable success.