YOUNGSTERS TO SHINE BRIGHT IN RED-HOT PUPPY OAKS

Ian Fortune

The start of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks should provide some superb racing at Shelbourne Park this evening with the 2026 renewal packed with quality.

There is a possibility that each of the four heats will be won in fast times with hugely talented performers in each.

CROIA TO CAPTURE PUNTERS HEARTS

Many were blown away by the manner of Droopys Croia’s victory at Shelbourne last Saturday night. Despite the best efforts of Storm Dave to blow her off course, she cut through the gales to emerge a ready winner in 28.55.

The feature of her success was the pace she displayed into the bend and down the back straight. If she repeats that level of form, she will be very difficult to beat in the opening heat. Certainly, she will be a warm favourite from trap three but will needs to be at her sharpest in the early yards with her rivals including the fast-starting Callaway Katie, the brilliantly fast Ballymac Gwennie and the rapidly improving Avenue Queen, Berry On Faya and Glengar Echo.

Indeed, the last named posted a sizzling 28.10 when last seen at Tralee late last month. But in terms of a danger to Droopys Croia, Ballymac Gwennie has proven on more than one occasion that she is amongst the fastest and most powerful bitches in training.

CHERRY RIPE TO SCORE

The second heat is a conundrum.

Singalong Cherry is perhaps the most likely market leader but she will be making her Dublin debut. Recent trials suggest she is quite at home around Shelbourne and is likely to make a bold bid for Pat Buckley and Gilbert Anderson, a combination that has tasted plenty of success in the past.

Singalong Cherry seems to be an all-rounder and is expected to race prominently from the outset. Susies Shadow has yet to win a race, but is certainly better than the bare form on her card suggests. From an inside draw, she is entitled to plenty of respect.

Newline Emma Be has also shown glimpses of real promise and can get involved from a wide draw. The remaining trio of Hawkfield Angel, Sparta Calli and newcomer Forest Freya will need to be on their toes but it would be unwise to completely rule out their chances.

ALLORY FACING TOUGH TEST

Ante-post favourite Ballymac Allory lines out in Heat 3 for Shane and Liam Dowling.

A stunning winner in her first look at Shelbourne last weekend, she seems to have everything. A repeat of her latest 28.05 return would certainly be enough but a trap four draw is enough to ensure that she must do things right in the early yards.

If she does strike the front into the bend, it would need something extraordinary from one the opposition to deny her. As it happens she faces some notable rival. Silent Noelle ran up the Juvenile Classic and ran a big race in defeat in her Dublin debut seven days ago. From a perfect draw on the fence, she is more than capable of having a big say.

Gengar Blitz was also a Juvenile Classic finalist and did little wrong in her latest defeat. Throw in 28.49 debut winner Angry Alexa, Noon Ballad and Ballymac Jetaway and it is a really hot contest. Ballymac Allory is selected to emerge on top but Silent Noelle, Angry Alexa and Glengar Blitz can push her hard.

LIX TO GET LOOSE IN HOT AFFAIR?

There is no drop in quality in the final heat where Ballymac Lix, Lennies Ash, Comeon Me Girl, Rossa Abi and Kishlawn Kudos all boast some superb form.

Ballymac Lix gets the nod. A real eye-catcher in the early rounds of the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Bitch Unraced at Newbridge, she impressed at Shelbourne last Friday, getting to the front early to win in 28.36.

She gave the impression that better was to come and her early speed can again carry her to the front early. Lennies Ash was a really taking fourth in her Dublin debut, finishing at speed after getting a little lost at points. With a better draw on the fence, don’t be surprised if she were to go really quick.

Comeon Me Girl and Rossa Abi have run well in hot company and are both capable of making the frame, while Kishlawn Kudos posted a big run in her latest outing at Kilkenny. She looks very strong and is sure to finish well. Hawkfield Lexi completes the debut but will need to find over a second on anything she has done before.