WONDERFUL OAKS ACTION EXPECTED AT HQ

Ian Fortune

The second round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks will again provide some exhilarating action at Shelbourne Park this evening. There are eight heats in all and there will be many notable performances.

MANDOLIN WITH A TOUGH TEST

The standout star of the opening round was Droopys Mandolin as she clocked a sensational 28.12. Her reward for that display is a very tricky draw in Heat 7. Flanked by real early speed, the Robert Gleeson trained star will need to be at her very sharpest in the early yards. The presence of Mustang Sally on her immediate outside is a real concern.

A flying starter that tends to cut for the fence, she could cause all sorts of problems in the early yards and Droopys Mandolin will need to be on her toes or she could find herself very short of room. Olwinn Me can also go up fast, as can Ravenswood Elsie. The latter has the best of the draw in the stripes and would capitalize if there is any traffic in the middle of the track.

Droopys Mandolin is not just a one trick pony, however. Even if she does find traffic, she would likely still have the pace to get to the front if left alone from the second bend.

CHICK SET TO FLY

Epic Chick was one of the bitches involved in the voided opening round heat but she has been given a kind draw in the opening heat. From a wide pitch, the daughter of Grangeview Ten needs to be at her sharpest but is selected to lead home some talented rivals including Droopys Edel, 2023 Derby finalist Threesixfive and impressive opening round winner Sawdust Storm.

LADY WILL LOOK TO GET LOOSE

Kerogue Lady will bid to make all in Heat 2. Blessed with superb early speed, she can get first run on her rivals. Tell On Bella really caught the eye in the opening round, showing great pace in defeat. With the potential for further improvement, she looks set to b a big player. Another that is greatly respected is Velvet Duchess.

NORA HAS THE DRAW

Deelish Nora suffered an unlucky defeat in the opening round but can emerge as the one to beat in Heat 3 from a perfect draw on the rail. In a contest where her near neighbours aren’t blessed with early speed, Deelish Nora can turn right on the speed before coming home in front.

LINCOLN CAN SET THE PACE

Heat 4 is packed with real quality. Lincoln Legacy flies to the turn and looks the most likely pace-setter on the fence. Lets Go Bubbles is in tremendous form and ideally housed in the stripes. She ran a huge race in defeat last week and will have plenty of support.

So too will Scooby Countess and Ballymac Run. The early lead could make a difference, however. Lincoln Legacy is chosen to hang on from the advancing Lets Go Bubbles.

GRIP LOOKS THE PART

Short Grip suffered a short-priced defeat in the opening round, finding bad traffic on the corner but she can return to winning ways in Heat 5. She should have more early speed than those on her flanks and can turn in front before going on to confirm her standing as one of the fastest in training.

Sober Sparkle and A Lucky Julie are both very fast and will motor from the second turn. Annie On Faya impressed last week and is another to consider but Short Grip might have to much ammunition for her rivals.

FIDGET CAN FLY

Heat 6 is one of the hotter contests of the round with Rathdown Molly, Born To Perform, Poets Dawn and Droopys Kamari all holding strong claims, although the vote goes to the Select Stakes winner Droopys Fidget from a perfect draw on the fence.

Blessed with huge pace and power, the Robert Gleeson trained bitch can turn close to the pace before outgunning Rathdown Molly in the closing yards.

KATE HAS THE POWER

The final heat of the round is something of a conundrum. Kyanite Kate was an eye-catcher last week, flying home after a slow start. She can go up far faster, as shown in the Shelbourne Open 600 decider when finishing second, and is selected to get the better of Beretta Reba and Sunshine Zoe.