KAMALA TAKES HEADLINES WITH ANOTHER OAKS ROMP

Ian Fortune

While Ballymac Deniro was going fastest in the English Derby across the Irish Sea, his kennel companion Ballymac Kamala was again playing a starring role at Shelbourne Park in the second round of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks.

A huge crowd poured through the stiles at Shelbourne on Saturday and the resulting atmosphere was electric. There was wonderful racing throughout with the card made up entirely of opening round heats of the valuable Summer Cup and the second round of the Oaks but the headlines simply had to go to the aforementioned Ballymac Kamala as she again smashed the 28 second barrier.

The brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete was understandably a red-hot favourite for Heat 3 and quickly stamped her class on proceedings.

Showing her trademark early speed, Ballymac Kamala found herself in control to the corner and was ruthless thereafter. Clan Sapphire ran a big race in second to stay in touch to the third turn but she ran out of steam as Ballymac Kamala kicked for home.

Maintaining an impressive gallop to the line, Ballymac Kamala saw off Clan Sapphire by seven lengths in a stunning 27.90. Ballymac Siun flew home in third, finishing just a short-head behind Clan Sapphire, while Ballymac Allory also progressed in fourth.

BUNDLE POWERS TO GLORY

There wasn’t much between the remaining heat winners in terms of time but only Droopys Bundle could get to within five lengths of Ballymac Kamala on the clock, posting 28.24 to win Heat 4.

After capturing the Champion Bitch Stake at Thurles on Tuesday evening, Droopys Bundle claimed her second win in less than a week with a power-packed effort. Rosetta Stone shot from traps and set a searching gallop to the turn but Droopys Bundle was always in the perfect position to strike on the fence.

Showing wonderful pace to the third turn, the Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Bundle flew up the fence to take charge. It was all very straightforward thereafter. Magical Hope ran on to grab second in the latter stages but Matthew Derrick’s Droopys Bundle (Droopys Sydney/ Droopy Sweet) would win by four lengths. Rosetta stone was a half length away in third with Amigo Star progressing in fourth.

A RAPID RUN FROM RAPIDO

Rapido Ivy lived up to her name in Heat 2, showing real alacrity at boxes to make every inch of the running.

Representing the father and son team of Peter and Mikey Cronin, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Chelms Ramona was simply too hot for her rivals.

Flying from traps, she never saw a rival as she opened up a decisive lead to the second turn before cruising home three lengths clear of Silent Noelle in 28.25. Ballymac Chantry flew home to take third, a further length back with Youandme Babe also earning her place in the quarter finals in fourth.

ASH IMPRESSES

Lennies Ash, owned by the Cocoman, Craze, Ian Syndicate, took another step forward in the final heat, showing her rivals a clean pair of heels from the third turn.

In what was a wonderful night for her litter (see separate story), the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Magical Mary was hugely impressive as she took off in the second half.

Forest Freya took a flyer from five and set a strong pace into the back straight but Lennies Ash was always too close once turning a close second. The Paul Hennessy trained star cruised into the third turn to challenge and head her rival and she then proceeded to pull clear for a facile five and a half length victory in 28.33. Forest Freya stuck on for second with Knockduff Diva was another half length back in third. Fleadh Rileigh was best of the remainder, earning her place in the quarter finals.

EIMEAR A FACILE WINNER

The opening heat set the tone for what was to follow with The Other Eimear racing to a deserving victory in 28.37.

Trained by Jennifer O’Donnell for the Crack Is Mighty Syndicate, The Other Eimear was right in the mix from the start.

Holding a narrow advantage into the bend, she was second behind the rails-hugging Danika Diamond into the back straight before taking control soon after. Indeed, by halfway, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Scooby Princess was beyond reach and she continued to pile on the pressure to win by five lengths from Kishlawn Kudos. Danikas Diamond was two lengths away in third with Ballymac Gwennie also progressing.

CAROL TAKES HER OPPORTUNITY

Highview Carol took Heat 5 for Gerry and Dolores Merriman, left in front late before powering home a comfortable three and a half length winner in 28.43.

Carrigen Whit led early but was pressed and headed into the third turn by Comeon Me Girl.

The latter seemed likely to go close but she was clipped from behind as she cut across Carrigeen Whit, leaving the always prominent Highview Carol in front. The daughter of Orchestrate and Highview Moment was always likely to finish fast and may well have won anyway but she took her opportunity with glee, going on to beat Town Hoffa with Singalong Cherry another three and a half lengths back in third. Hackney Shorts was fourth.

ALEXA TOO GOOD

The opening heat of the Summer Cup went the way of hot favourite Angry Alexa as she made full use of an ideal draw on the fence to emerge a comfortable winer for Liam Walsh and Murt Leahy.

Asserting into the turn from the fast-starting Belfast Gerry, she was never threatened as she eased clear to put the result beyond doubt. The daughter of Swords Rex and Angry Angel eventually emerged four lengths clear in a quick 28.33. Belfast Gerry was second with Rallying Syd three lengths further adrift in third.

BULL SHOWS HIS STRENGTH

The inside box was again the place to be in Heat 2 with Jacktavern Bull turning a close third before overpowering his rivals to win in comfortable fashion for Daniel Kerr and Michael Taggart.

Jacktavern Trump set the pace for much of the way with Side Deal in chase but bith were in trouble when Jacktavern Bull got a clear run into the back straight. Somewhat predictably, he was too hot to handle in the second half of the contest and headed his namesake before the final turn. From there, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer eased clear to win by three and a half lengths in 28.34. Jacktavern Trump was second with a two and a half length gap to Beautiful Paul.

BOOMER LOVES SHELBOURNE

Shanahee Boomer saves his best for Shelbourne Park and he again displayed his love for the Dublin venue in Heat 3.

Forcing his way into the lead early to emerge a comfortable winner for Kieran Lynch and the Bate The Ditch Syndicate.

The son of Good News and Droopys Dream never had a moment’s concern and went on to hit the line five lengths and two lengths clear of Exclusion Order and Raha Rua in a very quick 28.28.

GEE UP TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Harlequin Gee Up was much the sharpest in Heat 4, flying from three to dominate from the early yards.

Newinn Spot threatened on a couple of occasions but Harlequin Gee Up was never going to be stopped.

Trained by Scott Phelan for the Harlequin Syndicate, the son of King Sheeran and Swift Zap kept finding out front to eventually hit the line with two lengths in hand in 28.31. Slick Sabre ran on strongly for second with Carrick Becks just a head away in third.

ALASKA FLYING AT PRESENT

Old Alaska has run into a vein of form in recent weeks and added yet another impressive victory to his tally in Heat 5.

Making his way to the front at the third turn to see off Down Tothe Wire in 28.36. Zenith Bullet led early but lost his place around the last two turns.

Instead, Reggie Roberts’ Old Alaska (Droopys Flytline/ Speedels About) took over and eased on to win by four lengths in 28.36. Down Tothe Wire was second with a length and a half to Kilcolgan Mick in third.

HANS LEFT CLEAR

The final heat was a most unsatisfactory contest with most of the field out of the race after bad opening bend traffic.

The Garry Dempsey trained Miami Hans was left clear and despite tying up in the latter stages, emerged a length winner over Daring Oreo in 28.49.