OAKS SEMIS TO PROVIDE REAL DRAMA IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

Those that frequent Shelbourne Park are spoilt on a regular basis with top class most Saturday nights in Dublin.

That will again be the case this evening as Ireland’s fastest females bid for a place in the final of the bitch classic, the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks.

Liam Dowling will be hunting English Derby glory at Towcester with three of the finalists representing his ‘Ballymac’outfit but he will have an eye on proceedings in Dublin also as no fewer than five of the top six in the Oaks betting also hail from Ballymacelligott.

KAMALA AND BUNDLE IN A MOUTHWATERING CLASH

Ballymac Kamala is favourite but she faces her toughest test of the classic in the opening semi-final with the Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Bundle drawn on her immediate outside in two.

The pair have both been in exceptional form and are deservingly the top two in the outright betting.

Throw in Ballymac Gwennie and the talented trio of The Other Eimear, Clan Sapphire and Kishlawn Kudos and it really is a contest worth the admission alone.

So much will come down to the opening exchanges. Ballymac Kamala had to work hard to find racing room after a poor start last week from trap two. Tonight, she is in one. And if she doesn’t come away racing there is every chance Droopys Bundle will leave her short of room as she normally seeks out a rails pitch.

If the pair were to clash, Ballymac Gwennie is perhaps best placed in the stripes to take advantage. But on the strength of her recent form, Ballymac Kamala simply has to get the nod. While she had to work hard last week, performing a minor miracle to get up, she had broken 28 seconds in her three previous starts.

If she does trap on terms with Droopys Bundle, who won in a rapid 28.04 last week, it’s likely they will go round first and second. If Kamala gets first run, it’s very likely she will make it five wins on the spin at the expense of Droopys Bundle. Ballymac Gwennie is selected to chase the pair home, earning her place in the decider.

CHANTRY TO STALK AND POUNCE

The second heat is no less intriguing and has a very similar make up to the opening heat with the inside duo expected to race prominently, while the widest runner in the pack will be finish with a flourish.

The inside duo areRapido Ivy and Silent Noelle and both have been in superb form. The pair are set to contest the early lead but Ballymac Chantry is a serious danger to both after a brilliant quarter final display when picking up Rapido Ivy for a comfortable victory.

Between them are three other serious contenders, Ballymac Allory, Lennies Ash and Highview Carol. The first named of the trio ran an eye-catching race in defeat last week but needs to be at her very sharpest in the early exchanges.

Lennies Ash is developing all the time. She faces a tough draw and needs to somehow find a clear passage to threaten, while Highview Carol will stay on well but may need luck to threaten in a contest of this quality.

From the draw Rapido Ivy and Silent Noelle are likely to challenge early but as they do battle, Ballymac Chantry could find herself with room on the outside. If she turns close to the pace, expect her to produce another power-packed finish, perhaps enough to see her hit to the front after halfway.

BECKS TO STRIKE AGAIN

The semi-finals of the Shelbourne Summer Cup are also part of the Shelbourne card and all eyes will be on Carrick Becks after his brilliant second round display.

The Champion Open Unraced winner was dominant in a 28.09 success and will be very difficult to beat if repeating that form in this evening’s second heat.

He faces a tougher test than last time and needs to again be on his toes in the early yards as the in-form Old Alaska is drawn on his inner, while Newinn Spot got back to winning ways last week and is likely to go up fast from four. Carrick Becks remains a serious prospect, however, and may just have too much for his rivals. He is chosen to lead home Newinn Spot and Old Alaska.

BOOMER LOOKS THE PART

Shanahee Boomer may prove the one to beat in the opening heat. The 2025 Maiden Derby champion is a slick starter and can fly into the bend.

From a favourable draw in four, he could potentially get the better of his rivals into the bend.

Miami Hans seems to be returning to form and is respected as is Beautiful Paul but Shanahee Boomer may just have a class edge on his rivals and is a confident choice to make every yard. Miami Hans can chase him home in second.